Evaluating 360-degree virtual reality live streaming for remote workplace inspections: a cross-sectional pilot study

Objective: In Japan, occupational health physicians are required to conduct workplace inspections to assess health hazards, but resource constraints pose challenges. Although certain physician duties, such as worker interviews, can be remotely performed under specific conditions, workplace inspections must still be conducted in person. We evaluated the feasibility of virtual reality (VR) live streaming in 360-degree video as a potential solution, addressing prior limitations, such as restricted viewing angles and transmission delays. Methods: A cross-sectional experimental study was conducted in a simulated factory environment with four occupational health physicians. Three conditions were assessed: (1) on-site inspection with remote VR guidance, (2) remote VR viewing of on-site filming, and (3) remote personal computer (PC) viewing of on-site filming. A 360-degree camera (RICOH THETA X) and VR headset (Meta Quest 2) were used for 4K live streaming at 5 fps. Results: Video latency was reduced to 1–3 s, markedly improved from 15 s in prior studies. Visual acuity decreased to 0.1–0.2 for all participants when using VR. Participants identified an average of 21.0 inspection points (out of 25) using VR headset compared with 19.25 via PC. Conclusions: VR live streaming is a viable approach for remote workplace inspections. Although reduced visual acuity remains a limitation, it may help balance workplace visibility with confidentiality. However, environmental factors, such as noise, odor, temperature, humidity, and glare, were not adequately represented, necessitating the use of supplementary measurement tools. Further research is needed to evaluate its applicability across diverse settings and long-term effectiveness.