Virtual reality (VR) training is changing how industries prepare their workforce. How? By allowing companies to train employees more effectively in a safe, controlled environment—without the risks and high costs of traditional methods.
Many companies have already harnessed VR’s immersive technology to streamline onboarding and teach critical soft skills. And the potential is only growing. According to PwC, VR and AR in training and development could add £265.2 billion to the global economy by 2030.
But for companies to fully unlock this potential, they must first tackle several challenges. In this ArborXR article, we’ll break down these obstacles and share solutions to help businesses make the most of VR training.
6 VR Training Challenges and Potential Solutions
1. Hardware Issues
The right hardware is absolutely essential for successful VR training. However, cost and user comfort often pose significant challenges:
- Cost: High-quality VR headsets and supporting equipment are expensive, especially for large-scale deployments. For instance, popular training headsets like the Meta Quest 3 and HTC Vive Pro 2 can cost up to $800. Beyond the initial purchase, companies must account for maintenance, upgrades, and replacements.
- Comfort: Unfortunately, some VR headsets can be bulky and can cause discomfort or fatigue during extended use. Research shows that prolonged sessions without breaks can reduce training effectiveness, making user comfort a big concern.
2. Fleet Management and Scalability
Deploying VR training for a handful of employees is simple. Scaling it to hundreds (or thousands)? That’s where things get tricky. Managing a large fleet of devices brings its own set of uniquely difficult challenges:
- Device Compatibility: Devices from different manufacturers often don’t integrate smoothly, creating a tangled system that’s hard to manage. Without proper oversight, you risk outdated software, mismatched settings, or devices that won’t work when you need them most.
- Logistics: Distributing devices, keeping them updated, and troubleshooting issues across multiple locations can feel like an uphill battle.
3. Content Development
Creating high-quality VR training content is no small task—whether you’re developing VR training content in-house or partnering with a developer. Companies often face two major challenges:
- Cost: Building custom VR experiences can be expensive. Hiring developers and sourcing design assets add up quickly. Costs climb even higher if you need tailored content like team-building activities or virtual replicas instead of off-the-shelf modules.
- Time: Developing VR training content isn’t quick. Customizing scenarios to meet specific business needs can take months of design, testing, and refinement, delaying rollouts and results.
4. User Experience
Not everyone is comfortable with VR right away, and first-time users often face a few common hurdles:
- Physical Discomfort: VR can cause motion sickness, headaches, or eye strain, especially during longer sessions. These issues make it hard for employees to stay focused and engaged.
- Learning Curve: Navigating virtual environments can feel intimidating for new users. Without proper onboarding, employees may become frustrated or resistant to using the technology.
- Accessibility: According to the CDC, 1 in 4 adults in the U.S. lives with a disability. Many VR systems rely heavily on vision and mobility, limiting participation for employees with disabilities and reducing the inclusivity of training programs.
5. Resistance to Adoption
Despite its benefits, VR training often faces doubt from both organizations and employees.
Some organizations may hesitate due to concerns about cost, the time needed to implement, and uncertainty about the results. Others may worry about how hard it might be to fit VR into their current processes and whether it’s better than traditional training methods.
Employees may resist for different reasons, like fear of trying something new, discomfort with using unfamiliar technology, or doubts about how useful it will be for their jobs.
6. Effective Evaluation Metrics
While VR training generates extensive data, organizations often struggle to effectively integrate and analyze metrics across different training scenarios and platforms. Companies face two key issues:
- Limited Metrics: While VR training platforms and LMSs can track basic metrics like time spent or completion rates, these don’t always show whether employees are retaining knowledge, applying skills, or improving performance.
- Data Collection: Collecting meaningful data is difficult without the right tools, making it hard to justify investments or identify areas for improvement.
Conclusion
Virtual Reality is changing how companies train their employees, but challenges like managing devices, scaling programs, and tracking results can hold businesses back. Addressing these obstacles is the only way companies can unlock VR’s full potential for training.
Ready to maximize your VR training programs? ArborXR offers powerful device management, content deployment, and analytics tools to support your success.
Start today with our 30-day free trial.