It can be tricky to pin down a precise definition of the metaverse. The term was first coined by writer Neal Stephenson in his 1992 science fiction novel Snow Crash. In his book, the metaverse is a virtual reality simulation where users can interact with each other and digital objects in a 3D environment. The term has since been used in a variety of other contexts, including online gaming, virtual worlds, and augmented reality. Today, we consider the metaverse as an umbrella term for fully immersive environments that incorporate virtual reality, 3D, livestreaming and other technologies to create new digital worlds and realities.

Does the idea of endless possibilities in an alternative metaverse reality sound bold? Perhaps it does. However, the metaverse is here already in very practical, business-proof incarnations. Think of virtual meeting platforms and other collaboration tools as a very practical example of how the metaverse helps foster hybrid workplaces. The immersive collaboration market is booming and will only continue to do so as platforms mature and metaverse platforms incorporate more of workers’ day-to-day software and tools.

Businesses are also creating customer-facing metaverse experiences and in-house training tools.

The metaverse allows organisations to get in touch with their audience through interactive and personalised user experiences. They range from virtual library and museum experiences for audience-building to browser-based games designed to sell products and services. Metaverse experiences don’t have to rely on virtual currencies and digital goods: they can generate substantial real-world turnover.

At the same time, the metaverse is a powerful tool for corporate training - even remotely. VR experiences can simulate real environments and dangerous conditions that might be difficult to replicate in the real world, while taking advantage of its technology to engage the senses of sight, hearing and sometimes even touch. This allows employees to learn by doing. The metaverse provides a learning environment that appeals to different learning styles, making it an excellent tool for companies looking to provide effective training.

The industrial metaverse is another application of the metaverse that is revolutionizing the way we work in industrial settings, such as factories and warehouses. It combines the power of virtual and augmented reality to provide workers with real-time information, simulations, and remote collaboration capabilities. From manufacturing and construction to maintenance and repair of large production sites, metaverse apps improve productivity, safety, and efficiency, while reducing costs. Key benefits of the metaverse in industry:

• Enhanced productivity
  Real-time information and simulations of tasks helps workers to make better-informed decisions. This computer-assisted work lightens the burden and reduces errors, resulting in more productive employees.
• Improved safety
  Virtual safety training helps to practice procedures and emergency scenarios in a safe and controlled environment. This significantly reduces the risk of accidents and injuries to staff.

Both augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) play a crucial role in building industrial metaverse applications. AR projects a digital overlay with useful information onto the real world, providing guidance and instruction. Think of instructions, diagrams and safety alerts, all displayed directly in the field of view of workers. Our use of WebVR technology allows us to create experiences that are accessible on any device with a web browser, including tablets, smartphones and fully immersive VR headsets.

VR immerses staff in a completely simulated environment, enabling interaction with virtual objects. Next to safety training, VR can also be used in this context for virtual prototyping and testing, allowing organizations to improve their products and processes before building them in the real world.