What we now call XR - an umbrella term that includes Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR)—is the result of decades of experimentation, cultural imagination, and evolving language. From room-sized machines suspended from ceilings to spatial computing devices that fit on your face, immersive technology has been shaped as much by stories and terminology as by hardware and software.

A decade ago, Extended Reality (XR) still carried a science-fiction stigma, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) was largely confined to recommendation engines and predictive text. Today, their convergence marks a decisive inflection point for enterprises.

Manufacturing is facing a convergence of pressures that traditional training and workforce strategies can no longer solve on their own. An aging workforce, persistent skills gaps, negative perceptions among younger generations, and the accelerating pace of technological change are creating structural headwinds across the industry.

Extended Reality (XR) has quietly become one of the most powerful transformation tools available to modern organizations. While artificial intelligence dominates headlines, XR has been steadily maturing for more than a decade—moving from experimental pilots to measurable, enterprise-grade outcomes.

XR at the Tipping Point: What 2024 Delivered - and Why 2025 Matters More Than Ever