How do we know the future of foodservice is here? From what we're seeing it looks a lot like Tomorrowland or a fantastical ride at Epcot Center.
In a phrase, the future of foodservice is all about visualization. Literally. With virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and merged reality (MR) taking center stage on foodservice equipment websites and in tradeshow booths, everyone in our industry is starting to gain the ability to see what things will become before they're even started. Here's what you need to know:
What are the benefits of Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality & Merged Reality?
Well, the obvious answer is VR and AR can be fun and exciting. In its own right, it's a great marketing tool for helping end users see a greater vision, and those visions are rooted in emotions.
But VR and AR can do a lot more than just create excitement. It can also save time and money.
First, there's a huge potential to use virtual reality as a training platform, and that training can happen anywhere in the world. Imagine if you could put on a pair of VR goggles and learn how to operate a combi oven in the confines of your own home.
VR also offers great potential in the world of service. Instead of being onsite, a technician can utilize virtual reality to figuratively stand inside a commercial kitchen and make diagnostic assessments.
From an AR perspective, wouldn't it be nice to limit costly mistakes resulting from changing plans or designs? With augmented reality, designers and end users can view the future by showing a snapshot of how things could look in the future.
“You can literally go to a construction site that just has concrete slabs, put in the 3D modelling, and suddenly you’re looking at the walls, ceiling, equipment, everything. You can then walk around your kitchen and the chef’s table with all the stuff around you,” says our own Kitchautomation founder, Chris Huebner. “This is going to explode and it’s really easy to do.”