We live in exciting times. Right now, we're witnessing two technological revolutions happening in tandem – both of which promise to transform workplace productivity and connectivity.

The first: extended reality (XR), a set of technologies that bridge the gap between the real and virtual. The second: the internet of things (IoT), a wave of internet-connected appliances – big and small – that continuously gather and respond to real-world data

Both technologies are gaining steam. And as adoption ramps up, all signs point to a third revolution – a confluence of XR and IoT that could fundamentally transform how we interact with the world around us.

The seeds of this transformation have already been planted. Enterprises are using XR and IoT together to visualise data, train staff and accelerate repairs and maintenance.

But this is just the start. Join us as we explore the potential of an XR- and IoT-focused future.

What is XR?

Extended reality (XR) is an umbrella term for technologies that combine the real and virtual.

A well-known example is virtual reality (VR). Using a VR headset, you can enter and interact with an immersive virtual world from the comfort of your couch or office chair.

Lesser known is assisted reality (aR). These devices actively avoid immersion – instead overlaying information onto the user's field of view so they can maintain full situational awareness.

And companies like Microsoft and Magic Leap have pioneered a third type of XR: augmented reality (AR).

You can think of AR as a halfway house between assisted and virtual reality. AR devices bring virtual objects into real-world spaces – for instance, by displaying a 3D model on a very real desk, or creating "holographic" representations of colleagues in virtual meetings.

XR is enjoying rapid adoption in the consumer and enterprise markets. VR gaming is now a multi-billion-dollar industry. And according to a PwC study, nearly a third of London businesses are using XR in some capacity.

What is the IoT?

The internet of things (IoT) refers to all internet-connected objects that don't fit the mould of a traditional computer.

PCs, servers and smartphones are not part of the IoT. But an internet-connected toaster is an IoT device – as is a smart light bulb or a data-gathering sensor on a piece of industrial machinery.

The IoT is not a new idea. The concept was first described by cellular technology pioneer Peter T. Lewis in 1985. And the first known IoT device –  a vending machine connected to an early version of the internet – debuted in 1982.

But with the advent of cheap, fast SoCs (systems on a chip) and the ongoing trend of miniaturisation, IoT has quickly transformed from "theoretical concept" to "everyday concern".

Today, IoT devices are everywhere. Enterprises use them to monitor industrial devices and automate processes. Medical organisations use them to track patient health and proactively detect abnormalities. And consumer IoT devices – from fitness watches to self-driving cars – are all the rage.

How can XR and the IoT interact?

The integration of XR and IoT is already demonstrating huge potential.

Take manufacturing, for instance. Using cloud-connected equipment and XR devices, manufacturers can empower staff to quickly collect operational data and make data-driven decisions in the field.

Imagine that maintenance workers are equipped with AR glasses. They could look at a piece of real-world machinery and see pertinent statistics overlaid on top. This would accelerate reporting and make it easier than ever to spot potential issues.

Another use case that's enjoying growing support is the deployment of digital twins.

Digital twins are virtual representations of real-world devices or systems. Thanks to IoT sensors, any changes to the physical system are reflected in its digital twin – and vice versa.

Using XR, staff can overcome the inherent obstacle of abstraction. They can visualise digital twins as intuitive three-dimensional structures – rather than mind-boggling reams of data on a 2D computer screen.

This has transformative implications for training, maintenance and monitoring. By visualising a digital twin in XR, engineers can "work" on a device in virtual space and even predict future problems through the logging and analysis of previous failures.

It's all very exciting, isn't it? And this is only the beginning.

See, while it's already delivering on its promises, the interaction of XR and IoT is still in its teething stages.

It's a little like the early days of the internet. Back then, we talked in vague terms about unfettered communication and the democratisation of knowledge – but we never could have predicted Instagram or AWS or Grumpy Cat.

And like the internet, XR/IoT will reach its full potential through utility. As it becomes increasingly normalised – and increasingly used – it will be deployed in ways we can only dream of today.

Can we guess what these use cases might look like? No – but others have had a go.

Networking giant Cisco, for instance, has created video demonstrations that hint at where XR/IoT could go in future.

One of Cisco's scenarios is particularly exciting: a smart city, where on-street sensors deliver real-time traffic and route information to citizens. In this city of the not-too-distant future, you could roll out of bed, slip on a VR headset and plan your route to work using a 3D interactive map.

The potential of this idea goes beyond the rush hour, though. Imagine a residential area where every piece of infrastructure is an IoT device. At the first sign of a fire or a gas leak, these IoT devices could notify emergency services or utility companies. Operators at HQ could use VR headsets to visualise the problem and direct first responders more effectively. Potentially life-saving stuff.

Of course, we're not quite there yet. We need to wait for infrastructure and adoption to catch up with XR/IoT's potential. But with the technology progressing at such a rapid pace, we might not need to wait very long.

Got a use case in mind for XR hardware and the IoT? We'd love to hear it. Sign up for a free XR demonstration and we'll explore ways to put your idea into action.