Plusnet has revealed what the office workplace may look like in 2030 according to information gathered from 15 futurists and futurologists.
Commuting
Driverless cars, a technology already trailed in some countries with the UK promising investment, will transport commuters to work and car parks will have a stacking system as in Japan.
Reception
Holographic receptionists will welcome you, personalised towards each individual, staff member or client. To start work, biometric entry will see staff and visitors signing in via fingerprint scanning or iris identification. Heightened security, as well as health and safety improvements, mean you should expect to be scanned as you enter the building, as well as throughout the course of the day.
The Office Floor
The standing desk trend will spread and become part of a completely customisable working environment. For those who do choose to take a seat, chairs will be fully ergonomic and adaptable to each individual.
Meeting Rooms
Holograms and telepresence robots will become the norm in meetings. These holograms will be beamed into the meeting room as if they are sat attending themselves.
Table surfaces in meeting rooms will act as screens, allowing you to bring your desktop files to the table with a swipe of a finger.
Kitchen
Biometric refrigerators will recognise a person’s touch and produce privately stored food, avoiding issues of theft in the workplace. For those who would like something on demand, 3D printers will develop to the point of being able to prepare a snack at the touch of a button. Health tracking trays will highlight the nutritional content of what you are eating, whilst tea drinkers will appreciate drone tea-trays flying from the kitchen.
Bathroom
Toilets will become greener and smarter. They will not only compost your waste and reduce water usage, but also diagnose medical conditions. Smart hand-dryers will be able to recognise anyone who hasn’t washed their hands sufficiently, setting off an alarm to wash them again.
Chill Space
Fun elements like slides will be integrated for the use of the employees. As discussion about the benefits of napping at work becomes more widespread, offices will have nap spaces, whilst meditation, yoga and similar activities will also be available to encourage regular exercise and improved wellbeing.
For the gamers in the workforce, virtual reality gaming machines and headsets will allow employees to plug in and zone out.
Roof Garden
Rather than standard office plants, companies will grow a diverse range of plants. They will also grow their own vegetables for use in canteens, ensuring a healthier lifestyle.
Andy Baker, Plusnet CEO said, “the Office of the Future shows just how innovative and fast-moving technology has, and can, become and just how much of an influence it has in our daily lives. Whilst some of the technology is a long way off and outlandish in some respects, it is fascinating to hear and see just what the mix of experts suggest how workplace environments change.”
