AR Technology – A Magnet for Customers

Augmented reality, or AR, is a technology that enables people to insert digital objects into a real-life setting, creating a truly phygital experience. It’s used in a plethora of industries, including gaming and retail. Why?

AR enhances the user/customer experience, making it more immersive. As such, it can act as a magnet for new customers, driving sales in a given business. Let’s look at this in more detail to better portray AR’s impact.

Product Visualization

A 2D photo of a pair of shoes, a chair, or a new phone is… just a photo – there’s plenty of that available on the Internet. Yet, customers still often opt to visit physical stores to see what the products really look like. What if this didn’t need to happen?

With augmented reality, you can attract customers by providing them with the convenience of online shopping combined with the perks of brick-and-mortar stores. Your potential customers will just need to download the app (which is also beneficial for your marketing team since you get information on which you can base your personalization!), choose a product, and… they can view it in 3D, just as if they were in a real store.

Comparing the Products with Real-Life Settings

In the end, each product customers buy needs to fit them in real life. This is why certain clothes shops set up virtual fitting rooms in VR. However, this can also be achieved with AR, though only in certain industries.

Let’s take a furniture company, for example. With an AR app, your customer can see what particular pieces of furniture will look like in comparison to the rest of their decor. What is more, this is something that they wouldn’t be able to do at a physical store – they’d need to order the product first to actually compare it. The results? Customers are more likely to purchase your products since they are sure that they will be a good fit.

Building More Immersive, Engaging Customer Experience

AR also helps attract customers to businesses by delivering more engaging experiences. Just look at Pokemon GO. This game does not fall far apart from the traditional Pokemon trope, but it has one advantage – you can feel like a true Pokemon trainer since you catch the pocket monsters in AR. The same can be applied to other fields and industries.

The Takeaway

The above are just examples of the direct impact of AR on attracting customers. You might also use it indirectly. For instance, by utilizing augmented reality when designing your store display, you can find the optimal one, while the users don’t know that you used AR in the process. There are a plethora of options – it is time you invest in this technology.

You might also read: How Augmented Reality Can Support Industry 4.0

VR Prototyping – A Revolution in Product Design

Creating the best product or service requires effort – from conceptualizing to preparing a prototype that can be tested. The whole process takes both time and money, especially if you want to offer products that truly match the needs of their final users – your customers. But what if we told you that it could be a bit easier?

Virtual reality prototyping is the approach that aims to reduce the amount of resources needed for a perfect product design. The principles behind it are quite simple: before manufacturing the product or putting the service to life, a kind of digital twin is created in virtual reality. Then, the model is tested under different conditions (which can be simulated in the VR) and often by a study group of the desired final users. As a result, modifications to the product (or service) design can be made without the need to develop the first version of it in the physical world.

The Advantages of Using VR for Prototyping

Using virtual reality for prototyping naturally comes with a few benefits for businesses. Let’s look at them now.

Lower Design Costs

Building a physical model of your product and testing it is almost always expensive – it consumes the time of your engineers and the money required for the materials. When prototyping in VR, this is no longer a problem – you just need to model the design in virtual reality, and you can start the tests.

This is particularly important for products that use advanced, costly elements, such as embedded systems. Naturally, this use of VR in retail, such as clothing, won’t yield large savings.

Improved Product Quality

With a digital model of your product, one that can be tested by various users from the target group, you are able to spot any design flaws early on. As a result, you may modify the product, releasing a better first version on the market.

Will VR prototyping help you avoid any errors or flaws? Naturally, no. However, it should reduce their number, especially since you can test the models in different environments.

Creating a Unique Value Proposition Tailored to the Needs of the Users

Have you heard the history of Oral-B and how they became the leader in children’s toothbrushes? Let us brief you. By observing the way adults and kids brush their teeth, Oral-B has found a major difference in the way these two groups hold their toothbrushes – kids with whole fists while adults with their fingers. The company used this knowledge to create children’s toothbrushes that had handles adjusted to this trend, and… their sales skyrocketed.

Why did we introduce this short story? It shows how important it is to understand the needs of your customers, and VR prototyping enables you to do that. By creating a fully virtual prototype and testing it on the members of your target market, you can observe their interactions and modify the product to meet their needs. Like Oral-B, you can become a leader of your segment – all without even creating the first physical model of your product.

The Takeaway

Virtual reality prototyping opens a set of new opportunities for businesses. The sooner you introduce it in your company, the larger the edge you will gain over your competitors. Hence, we advise you to put it on top of the list of your investments and see for yourself what benefits it can bring to your organization.

You might also read: Why Businesses Need to Consider VR As Their Top Investment Choice

What Is VR Data Visualization?

VR data visualization is… just your traditional data visualization conducted in virtual reality. Similar as it may seem, it’s actually quite different from the traditional methods. Due to the 3D environment and the possibility to interact with every element and mold the world to your needs, VR creates an environment for truly immersive analytics.

What are the main features of data visualization in VR?

• 3D display – Unlike your traditional data visualization settings, VR adds a third dimension to the mix, letting you see more information at once and move through it seamlessly.
• Immersion – Data visualization is immersive if you use VR – you can use different images to truly feel the data you are analyzing, hence immersing yourself in the experience and making it less monotonous. This is important as it boosts creativity, enabling you to draw better conclusions and spot patterns that you would miss otherwise.
• Interaction – VR data visualization is interactive – you can move each of the objects you see, manipulate the display and maintain the level of detail by simple gestures.

The Benefits of Using VR for Data Visualization

The advantages of VR-driven data visualization are among the reasons why businesses need to invest in VR. What are these benefits in particular? Let’s take a look at them.

Distraction-Free Environment

When sitting in an office analyzing data, there are a lot of distractions that could slow down the process or cause you to miss out on important chunks of information. Your phone, the sounds from the outside world, and even the lights or simple everyday objects might make your attention wander in the wrong direction. With immersive data visualization in virtual reality, this is no longer a problem.

When submerged in the virtual world, you won’t see the visual distractors that could keep you off track in a traditional setting. As a result, you become more efficient and effective while making fewer errors.

Data Accessibility and Interaction

With traditional data visualization, you are restricted by the interface. But what if your surroundings become the interface? This is exactly what happens when you use VR for data visualization.

By using the whole space around you, you can view, zoom in and out, analyze, and move more data. This shall help you keep the data organized and easily move it from one place to another, for example to compare certain stats when looking for trends and patterns.

Faster Data Processing

How does VR impact data processing speed? It all goes down to the layout.

When reading, we use just a small percentage of our information processing capabilities. To use them to the fullest extent, we need to combine them with visual elements. All marketers understand that – it’s the cornerstone of video marketing and reels. But what does it have to do with data analytics?

Due to the use of VR and more space to showcase your data, it becomes possible to add more visual elements and use the layout to display the information. This allows you to read the data more quickly and process information faster than through traditional means.

The Takeaway

VR is a powerful tool for creating immersive data visualization settings. Implementing virtual reality for this process comes with numerous benefits, which, in the end, lead to better and faster decision-making. Therefore, do not hesitate to invest in VR data visualization, as it is the future of business, no matter the industry.

You might also like: VR and AR in financial data visualization

What Is V-Commerce?

V-commerce means online shopping but done with extended reality, typically VR and AR. It’s the next level of e-commerce where users can see and interact with the goods in virtual reality or test them using augmented reality. It’s a rapidly growing sector – according to the PR Newswire report, the CAGR for VR and AR retail is on a steady 20% and 13% level respectively.

We need to mention here that v-commerce is not something that you will see just for physical goods. Companies that sell digital products also adopt this approach. For example, you might find educational courses sold on VR platforms that enable customers to immerse themselves in the training or even learn in simulations of real-life scenarios.

Why Is V-Commerce a Thing?

Immersion is always important for customers, but it would not be sufficient for companies to widely adopt extended reality. Therefore, you might naturally expect that there is much more to v-commerce – and you are right. V-commerce shopping not only helps companies deliver better, often more customized experiences but also helps with certain issues that traditional e-commerce struggles with.

To understand this better, take a look at the list below. We have put there the main benefits of v-commerce over its traditional version.

Product Testing

One of the main obstacles to e-commerce shopping is the lack of possibility to test the products. Whether it is clothes or furniture, the customer has to wait for the order to arrive in order to see whether the product fits and meets their expectations. This has several consequences for both customers and businesses:

• customers might fear purchasing certain products online,
• businesses struggle with higher return rates, which cost them a substantial part of their income,
• it is more difficult to deliver positive customer experiences.

V-commerce defeats all these problems by enabling the customers to…test their products. For example:

• customers can use virtual fitting rooms to make sure the clothes look good and fit them,
• customers may use AR apps to place the furniture they want to buy in their apartments, hence seeing how it fits the space.

Excellent Customer Service

You cannot provide all your online customers with customer service on the same level as in your physical stores, right? Well, with v-commerce, you can.

The trick here is simple. If you offer your products in virtual fitting rooms, you can use one platform (or several, with one for each location) for all your customers. This way, you can have one or two virtual customer service agents on each platform who will help the customers. As a result, you mix the brick-and-mortar store CS quality with the convenience of online shopping, offering your customers the best of both worlds.

Immersive Experience

There is nothing as satisfying as getting to feel the items you want to buy and see them in practice. But, it’s not possible in traditional e-commerce. What about v-commerce shopping?

In this case, you can do this! By providing online shoppers with the possibility to use AR or VR to view your stock, you recreate the traditional shopping experience in a much more convenient digital form. Thus, you can enhance the overall customer experience in your store.

The Takeaway

With all the above information, there is just one question we need to answer: is v-commerce really the future of online shopping? In our opinion, yes. Since it combines the best of both worlds, it’s the perfect choice for any e-commerce. The only downside is that it might still take a few years to become fully popular since many consumers still do not own VR headsets. Nevertheless, it is bound to be how we shall shop in the future.

You might also read: How The Metaverse Could Enhance E-Commerce

What Is Location-Based AR?

What is location-based AR? We need to divide the definition into two parts.

• What is augmented reality? – It is a technology that combines real-world elements with virtual ones, typically through the registration of 3D, real objects and adding digital elements to it.
• What does location-based mean? – Something is required to trigger AR – it might be your tap on the phone or certain real objects and shapes. In location-based AR, it’s the location that prompts it.

We must note here that location AR does not require any physical markers to launch – it relies purely on the user’s geolocation. This is both similar and contrary to marker-based AR, which also could technically be assigned to particular locations yet would require the user to use their app on particular real-life markers.

How Does Location-Based AR Work?

Geolocated AR, though called markerless, actually uses markers. They are not physical but digital. This, in turn, enforces certain requirements on how this technology works.

For starters, the AR-based app needs to be capable of finding the markers and establishing the device’s position in relation to them. This requires the user to have a device with a GPS. Since such apps are typically created for smartphones, this is not a problem as long as the user turns the location on.

When the device’s location matches one of the interest points, the application starts displaying the additional virtual elements. These can be photos, animations, or even audio clips. To naturally weave it into reality (hence the term augmented reality), it works with the sensors and tools in your device – for example, the camera.

This mode of work requires geo AR apps and devices that they work on to be in an excellent symbiosis with each other. After all, if the markers are much more precise than the geolocating features of the device, it becomes much harder to connect the points of interest with the sensors; hence, the app might not work as intended.

Geo AR: Applications

Knowing the basics of geolocated augmented reality, we might proceed with looking at several real-life applications of this technology. What industries is it used in, and what purpose does it serve? Here is a brief overview for you.

Gaming

The impact of location-based augmented reality on gaming could be seen a few years ago, namely in 2016. It was then that Pokemon GO was launched – a game based solely on geo AR.

If you are not familiar with this game, we can explain it in more detail. Like any Pokemon game, its pure aim was to catch Pokemon; however, what distinguishes it from other such games is that it encourages users to do it in real life. Wild Pokemon appeared in different real-life locations, so the players had to explore their neighborhoods to catch them – and they did it through an AR interface in their mobile apps.

Marketing

Naturally, a technology such as geo AR couldn’t go unnoticed by marketers and advertisers, who also found ways to utilize it in their campaigns. How does it work here?

Typically, it’s as simple as…displaying certain images that the marketers want the user to see in particular locations. Naturally, this can take many forms, such as, for instance, a treasure hunt in a city, or even the possibility to place a marker of your own with a certain item. For instance, this might be used to let users place markers for displays of furniture from a store; this way, the user can simulate what a particular setup will look like.

Real-Estate

In real estate, location-based augmented reality is utilized to make the lives of real estate agents easier. A marker is added to every property for rental or sale, and the agent does not have to memorize its price and specifics – they just need to take out their phone and check it in the app.

The Takeaway

Location-based AR is a technology that has proven itself useful in many cases, far more than the ones briefly presented in our article. Therefore, it is something that you should consider using in your own business. Knowing how it works, you can come up with your own conclusions on how to introduce it in your organization and begin to deploy it for your benefit.

You might also read: Real-Life Dangers Of Augmented Reality

Metaverse as a Service Defined

Software as a service (SaaS) has become a popular choice for businesses that require advanced technological solutions but cannot afford to develop them from scratch. Metaverse as a service (MaaS) is something similar.

Brands and Metaverse are becoming an inseparable pair, as the former realized the uncovered potential of the latter. Yet, creating a whole ecosystem on the platform is still considerably expensive, even for the largest players on the market. Hence, they choose MaaS.

What is Metaverse as a service in particular? Simply said, the use of pre-prepared software, architecture, and other solutions on which businesses may easily mold their worlds, ones that they use for advertising, showcasing their products, or simply engaging with their communities.

Here, we need to point out that MaaS is not equal to creating a whole separate architecture. The tools used in this model do not enable companies to build their own Web3 solutions. Nevertheless, they still allow businesses to enter virtual reality and create an environment tailored to their needs – whether it’s employee training or showcasing products to the customers.

The Pros and Cons of MaaS

Knowing, in a nutshell, what Metaverse as a service is, we may delve into the advantages and disadvantages of such a solution.

The Pros of MaaS

• Affordability – Metaverse as a service is significantly more affordable than developing a whole system on your own.
• Customization – Despite being based on a pre-made architecture, MaaS still offers businesses a high level of customization, enabling them to tailor their worlds to their business goals.
• Scalability – Though scalability might seem like a buzzword, considering how often it is used in marketing nowadays, it is extremely important when it comes to MaaS. Developing your own system is an expensive task, but scaling it as the number of users grows consumes even more of your resources. With Metaverse as a service, it is sufficient to upgrade your plan – you can invest right when the time comes and even downgrade if the need for better performance is temporary.
• Security – Pre-created solutions come implemented with security measures so that you do not need to worry about developing your own. This does not only mean lower costs but also using a dependable, tested security system – one that your brand could possibly develop only after a costly (both in terms of money and PR) trial and error.

The Cons of MaaS

• Vendor lock-in – With the development of different MaaS solutions, it is probable that your organization might end up in a vendor lock-in – a situation when switching to a different provider will not be practical. This is because your world might not be fully compatible with other available solutions, so you would need to recreate it when making a switch.
• Privacy – Despite being provided with ready security measures, you still rely on an outside company when storing your data. This, in turn, might mean that your business will pay for any information leaks that result from the flaws in the provider’s framework.

Examples of MaaS Platforms That You May Use

What are the most popular Metaverse as a service platforms for businesses? Here are several examples:

• Lovelace World – enables DeFi, GameFi and NFT,
• Propel MaaS – enables DeFi and NFT; is built on known blockchain protocols,
• Touchcast – has a unique feature enabling the buyer to build their own Mcity.

Do not be afraid to test them, as building a world is relatively easy, and the business benefits of Metaverse are worth spending the money and time on.

Conclusion

Metaverse as a service, like software as a service, is a model in which you subscribe to a platform that enables you to use its architecture and software to create your own Metaverse world. No matter whether you want to use it to offer your remote employees more physical-like experiences in meetings or simply to market your products through a world created for your customers, you can benefit from MaaS. Thus, you should embrace this solution and explore the possibilities that come with virtual reality.

You may also read: Advertising in the Metaverse

What can the Metaverse be used for?

The Metaverse can be used in a lot of different ways. It has the potential to change industries such as gaming, entertainment, education, healthcare, social networking, and remote collaboration. Gamers can explore more receptive and enduring game environments. Students can take part in interactive and experiential learning environments in education. Also, the Metaverse can give businesses new ways to connect with customers, hold virtual events, and create unique metaverse branding experiences.

Every year, thousands of new startups are founded

Thousands of fresh start-ups emerge, ones with the potential to shake up the world of the metaverse. These companies have the potential to change the metaverse industry. The metaverse is still a pioneer when it comes to transforming the digital realm with ad-hoc experiences shortly.

All of the startups in Metaverse are attempting to incorporate their innovative ideas in order to enhance the functionality and usability of the platform. It’s true that the Metaverse will be the next big thing on the internet. It will have many different uses like games, meetings for businesses, and online communities. The future of Metaverse is still in its budding phase, and we need to wait and see what happens.

The one Metaverse startup to watch: Mazer

Mazer is a complete business management platform that assists your business in every phase, starting with the initial concept, and moving on to implementation and expansion. It’s got a deep grasp on the tech and how it works and offers a full range of support to make sure our customers’ projects succeed.

It’s a network of different virtual spaces. Such a space can be a futuristic loft in a virtual city with a stunning cyberpunk design as well as a precise recreation of real building interior with additional functionalities possible only in Metaverse environment. It shows how powerful our Mazer Engine is. Businesses and individual users can benefit from the B2C solutions provided with B2B products and services. The world of Mazer World will be home to both individuals who use the space for their purposes and large, sprawling, and free-spirited communities, much like those found in a distributed, autonomous community. Within this unified platform, users will have access to digital replicas of authentic products and the opportunity to observe innovative marketing campaigns, thereby enabling enterprises to establish stronger connections with their clients and vice versa.

A range of business solutions can be fulfilled by it. The Mazer virtual world is composed of a honeycomb structure of various cells, with each business establishing its own cell to join the larger Mazer network. Users can easily move from a car showroom to a virtual bank branch and then to their healthcare provider’s office.

Mazer and PKO BP case study

Surely, it is worth getting to know one of the projects of the company for the banking industry.

PKO BP has entered the metaverse by establishing a digital presence on both Decentraland and Mazer platforms. Additionally, the bank collaborated with XR Wizards to create an independent virtual reality version of its building on Mazer. As Poland’s largest bank, PKO BP’s Q2 financial results were remarkable, with consolidated interest income of 3.64 billion PLN, commission income of 1.25 billion PLN, and a net profit of 422 million PLN. The State Treasury holds the largest share in the bank, accounting for 29.43% of its shares.

You may also read: Banking in the Metaverse

Are you considering implementing innovations or new technologies in your company? Are you interested in using VR, metaverse, or AR?

Understanding metaverse legalities

In an era where the digital landscape is constantly evolving, law firms find themselves at the crossroads of tradition and innovation. 

The emergence of the metaverse, a virtual space where users can interact with a computer-generated environment, is not just a realm for gamers and tech enthusiasts. It’s a burgeoning frontier that holds significant opportunities for law firms willing to adapt and explore new horizons. 

However, in order for this to happen, law firms first have to understand metaverse legalities:

• Metaverse governance and regulation – one of the important factors for law firms entering the metaverse is the need to establish governance and regulatory frameworks. As virtual spaces expand, questions about jurisdiction, intellectual property rights, and data privacy become paramount. Law firms specializing in technology and virtual spaces can carve a niche by advising clients on navigating these uncharted legal territories.
• Intellectual property in the virtual realm – the metaverse is a space for creativity and innovation, with virtual assets and digital goods taking center stage. Law firms can play a crucial role in safeguarding intellectual property rights within these virtual realms. From virtual real estate to unique digital creations, attorneys specializing in intellectual property law can help clients secure, protect, and monetize their virtual assets.
• Smart contracts and decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) – as blockchain technology intertwines with the metaverse, law firms have the opportunity to delve into the legal implications of smart contracts and decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs). Drafting, reviewing, and enforcing smart contracts within virtual environments require a nuanced understanding of both technology and law. Firms that specialize in blockchain law can bridge the gap between the digital and legal realms.
• Cryptocurrency litigation and compliance – with virtual economies relying on cryptocurrencies, law firms can explore avenues related to litigation and compliance. Addressing issues such as fraud, money laundering, and regulatory compliance in the metaverse can be a unique niche for legal practitioners. As cryptocurrencies gain more prominence, law firms that offer expertise in this intersection of finance and technology will be in high demand.
• Data protection in the metaverse – law firms specializing in cyber law and data protection can guide clients through the complexities of virtual privacy. From user consent mechanisms to data breaches within virtual environments, legal experts can help establish best practices and ensure compliance with evolving privacy regulations.
• Virtual crimes and legal recourse – with the metaverse fostering new forms of interaction, virtual crimes such as theft, harassment, and fraud have become real concerns. Law firms can step in to provide legal recourse for victims and establish frameworks for prosecuting virtual crimes. This brings many opportunities for attorneys specializing in digital forensics and cybercrime.

The future of legal practice in the metaverse

The metaverse is not just a playground for legal issues but also an arena for collaboration and networking. Law firms can host virtual events, conferences, and meetings within these digital realms, expanding their reach and engaging with a global audience. Embracing the metaverse for professional interactions can lead to new business opportunities and strategic partnerships

To truly capitalize on metaverse opportunities, law firms should invest in the education and training of their legal professionals. From understanding virtual reality technologies to mastering the intricacies of blockchain, legal practitioners need to adapt to the evolving digital landscape. 

The takeaway

As the metaverse unfolds, law firms have a unique chance to shape their legal landscape. From establishing governance frameworks to safeguarding virtual assets, legal practitioners can play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the digital frontier. Embracing metaverse opportunities is not just about staying relevant; it’s about leading the way in a transformative era where the virtual and real seamlessly converge. 

Law firms that navigate this uncharted territory with agility and foresight will not only adapt but thrive in the metaverse era, securing their position as pioneers in the digital legal landscape.

You may also read: Crime in the Metaverse

What is the industrial metaverse? Definition

The term industrial metaverse refers to an interconnected digital ecosystem specifically designed for the manufacturing industry. It represents a paradigm shift in how we conceptualize and engage with the processes involved in designing, producing, and operating within the manufacturing sector. This concept draws inspiration from the broader metaverse, a concept typically associated with virtual, shared spaces created by the convergence of physical and virtual reality.

In the context of the industrial metaverse, the focus is on seamlessly integrating digital technologies, such as augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and the Internet of Things (IoT), with traditional manufacturing processes.

Unlike conventional manufacturing methods where physical and digital realms operate independently, the industrial metaverse aims to bridge these gaps, creating a unified environment where virtual and physical elements coexist and interact.

It goes beyond mere digitization, offering a dynamic and immersive experience that enhances collaboration, decision-making, and efficiency across the entire industrial value chain.

The importance of the industrial metaverse

What makes the industrial metaverse so vital? There are a few reasons:

• Collaboration and communication – the industrial metaverse facilitates real-time communication and collaboration among teams dispersed across the globe, which is paramount in a globalized manufacturing landscape. Engineers, designers, and technicians can collaborate seamlessly, bridging geographical gaps and fostering innovation. The integration of VR and AR technologies enables virtual meetings, where stakeholders can interact with 3D models of products and prototypes. This not only expedites decision-making processes but also ensures that all team members have a clear understanding of the project, reducing errors and miscommunications.
• Digital twin technology – one of the cornerstones of the industrial metaverse is the concept of a digital twin, meaning a virtual replica of a physical product or system, constantly updated with real-time data. This technology makes it easier for manufacturers to monitor and analyze the performance of assets throughout their lifecycle. By harnessing the digital twin technology, manufacturers can optimize maintenance schedules, predict equipment failures, and improve overall efficiency. This proactive approach to maintenance not only reduces downtime but also extends the lifespan of industrial equipment, resulting in substantial cost savings.
• Simulation and training – the industrial metaverse serves as a powerful platform for simulation and training purposes. From training assembly line workers to simulating complex production processes, virtual environments offer a risk-free space for hands-on learning. VR simulations allow workers to familiarize themselves with new equipment and procedures, reducing the learning curve when transitioning to new technologies. This not only enhances the skills of the workforce but also minimizes the potential for accidents and errors on the factory floor.

The role of virtual reality technology in the manufacturing industry

To grasp the full potential of the industrial metaverse, it’s crucial to delve into the role of virtual reality (VR) technology in the manufacturing industry. It has emerged as a transformative force, redefining how manufacturers design, prototype, and execute their production processes.

Manufacturers can leverage VR to create immersive 3D models of products, enabling a deeper understanding of design elements and potential issues. VR simulations also allow for realistic testing of prototypes, reducing the need for physical prototypes and streamlining the entire product development cycle.

The takeaway

The industrial metaverse is not a distant vision of the future – it’s a transformative reality that is reshaping the manufacturing industry today. By seamlessly integrating the physical and digital realms, this cutting-edge concept enhances collaboration, streamlines operations, and empowers manufacturers to navigate the complexities of a rapidly evolving global market.

As we embrace the industrial metaverse, the convergence of virtual reality technology and manufacturing becomes a driving force behind innovation. This immersive and interconnected ecosystem is more than just a technological advancement; it’s a catalyst for progress, propelling the manufacturing industry into a world where efficiency, sustainability, and collaboration are at the forefront of success.

You may also read: The Metaverse in the Industry Sector

Metaverse Influencers: Top 10

Neal Stephenson

In his 1992 sci-fi novel Snow Crash, Neal Stephenson used the word “metaverse.” for the first time. The pioneers of VR were already building artificial worlds, but Stephenson’s 1992 novel Snow Crash fleshed out the vision of escaping to a place where digital displaced the physical. Stephenson is stepping into the marketplace with his own vision of how his fictional idea might manifest into a tangible, believable world. He’s working with Peter Vessenes, who runs the Bitcoin Foundation, to start Lamina1, a company that helps creators create a virtual world. Learn more about the history of the metaverse.

Matthew Ball

Ball has launched the Roundhill Ball Metaverse ETF with Genvid Technologies CEO Jacob Navok and Roundhill Investments. The ETF provides individuals with the opportunity to invest in companies that are currently facilitating the metaverse or are poised to do so in the future. Mathew Ball’s essays have been influential in shaping the Metaverse for years. The strategic, technical, and philosophical foundations of this new medium are covered in his book.

Cathy Hackl

Cathy Hackl is a highly esteemed tech futurist and business executive with extensive experience in metaverse-related fields. She started a company called Futures Intelligence Group. She helps big companies and famous fashion brands grow in the virtual world. Her work includes consulting, speaking, and media personality. In 2023, Hackl started VerseLuxe, which is a luxury tech label that is both a label and a lab.

David Baszucki

David Baszucki has been working on bringing the gaming industry into the Metaverse for years, as the founder and CEO of Roblox. The vision of connecting the world was what he founded Roblox in 2004. He’s all about letting his users do the work for him. The company raised $520 million in private capital at a $29.5 billion valuation earlier this month, building a big war chest. It has the ability to utilize the funds to construct the metaverse and populate it with the creations of users.

Tim Sweeney

He is the founder and CEO of Epic Games, which is responsible for one of the world’s most popular games, Fortnite. Sweeney is also the inventor of the gaming platform referred to as Unreal Engine. The world is not just the creation of Epic or another corporation, he said. “It’s a group of talented people from all over the world who make great content.”

Jensen Huang

Jensen Huang founded NVIDIA to address the issue of 3D graphics for the PC. Then Nvidia moved on to the next level of computing: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Huang reached out to the Metaverse to create NVIDIA’s Omniverse, which is now available in a beta version. NVIDIA Omniverse is a cloud-based platform that makes it easy to work together in real-time. Omniverse lets creators, engineers, and researchers work together in virtual worlds.

Philip Rosedale

He was the first person to create Second Life, a virtual civilization. He explains that Second Life demonstrates specifically that technology can be a good thing as it relates to improving human relationships. You can read lots about this from other people than us—in academic papers. We know there’s a lot of good that can happen when people are in virtual worlds together.

Mike Winkelmann, better known as Beeple

Beeple became one of the most influential visionaries in the NFT field by selling many works of art as nonfungible tokens (NFTs) for tens of millions of dollars. Beeple’s NFT collage “Everydays: the First 5000 Days” was sold for a record-breaking $69.3 million at Christie’s in March 2021. Beeple is a well-known person in the cryptocurrency industry. He has around 600,000 followers on Twitter and 2.5 million followers on Instagram.  Learn more about metaverse and NFTs.

Lindsey McInerney

Lindsey McInerney holds the position of Global Head of Technology and Innovation at Anheuser-Busch InBev. She possesses a comprehensive understanding of the global software industry, owing to her direct experience in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific region.

Krista Kim

Kim, the founder of the tech-oriented movement, has devoted her professional life to the notion of digital consciousness. She represents SuperWorld, a virtual world that lets people and businesses create, discover, and make money.

Rafał Siejca

CEO of Mazer Inc. and XR Wizards, companies responsible for developing the metaverse platform called Mazer – a virtual space that combines entertainment, business, education, and professional applications. He is an experienced manager and leader, specializing in software development for major financial institutions. However, he has also nurtured a profound interest and passion for virtual reality and digital worlds for many years. He was the creator of one of the world’s first teams that collaborate daily in the metaverse. As a result, he brought an entirely new quality to remote work, providing an ideal environment for digital nomads who desire to collaborate from anywhere on the planet.