According to a recent Bloomberg report, Meta employees developing the metaverse aren’t thrilled about using the company’s VR headsets. The headsets have been described as “uncomfortable” and “glitchy” by several employees who spoke anonymously.
Challenges in VR Adoption at Meta
Meta’s vision revolves around creating a metaverse where people can use VR headsets to socialize and work in a digital world. However, the report suggests that many employees in various teams, including the VR section, have not been actively using the headsets for work. Although Meta supplies headsets to employees participating in internal testing programs, the level of employee adoption is limited.
Interestingly, even Meta’s President of Global Affairs, Nick Clegg, reportedly had his team briefly “try” VR meetings, but eventually dropped out of the practice due to the inconvenience and disruption experienced by staff. In addition, according to one employee, those involved in sales pitches for clients like Walmart and Accenture do not use the headsets in their day-to-day work.
Meta’s response
Meta, which recently unveiled its latest Meta Quest headset, has yet to comment on the headsets’ internal usage numbers. With Meta’s plans to require most employees to work face-to-face at least three days a week starting in September, VR headset adoption could face further challenges.
Employee hesitation to embrace VR headsets can be attributed to several factors. Inconvenience and possible feelings of embarrassment have been mentioned, with the appearance of legless cartoon avatars deemed “weird and unprofessional”. VR headsets have also been known to cause discomfort and even nausea, prompting Meta to take regular breaks every 30 minutes.
These findings come in the wake of Meta’s Reality Labs VR and AR division reporting a significant operating loss of $13.7 billion in 2022, surpassing the previous year’s $10.2 billion loss.
Future view
Meanwhile, as Meta faces challenges promoting VR technology within its organization, Apple is rumored to be launching its own VR headset and reportedly planning to issue multiple usage warnings. Individuals with health issues such as inner ear infections, ADHD/ADD, and anxiety may be advised to exercise caution when using VR headsets.
The reluctance among Meta employees to use VR headsets for Metaver work raises questions about the future prospects of VR adoption within the company. As Meta continues to navigate the challenges associated with VR technology, it remains to be seen how the company will address employee concerns and advance its vision for the metaverse.