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90% of customers are interested in the metaverse

Organizations expect the metaverse and immersive experiences to be important channels.

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Leroy Ratnayake

Vice President, Customer Success
South Africa
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Consumers understand the immediate possibilities of using immersive technology

According to a recent study, consumers are attracted to the idea of immersive and metaverse experiences. They express a desire to use the metaverse primarily as a way to connect with loved ones, including family and friends, as well as colleagues. When it comes to brands that would be interested in engaging within the metaverse, the top choices include retailers and consumer product companies. This suggests a potential for enhancing the purchasing or virtual try-on experience for high-interest items such as cars, furniture, and household electronics.

The potential for enhancing employee and workforce experiences is substantial, as evidenced by the success of organizations that have already implemented immersive and metaverse initiatives, particularly in terms of increasing operational efficiency.

CPR retail floor planning allows organizations to design their store layout virtually without the need for physical travel by using a virtual floor view. Medical professionals, along with other industries, can benefit from training and education using VR technology, allowing for virtual planning, rehearsing, and performing procedures with the use of headsets and 3D patient scans. In the automotive industry, VR is utilized for design and engineering evaluations through testing and digital prototyping, resulting in cost savings of millions of dollars and reduced environmental impact by reducing the number of physical prototypes produced.

Despite the growing interest in immersive and metaverse technology, many organizations struggle to develop a clear strategy for scaling their initiatives

In recent years, the advancement of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies, coupled with the accelerated digitization brought on by the pandemic and a growing focus on sustainability, has led to a surge in organizations experimenting with immersive experiences. Specifically in the consumer products and retail sector, companies are testing out AR applications for virtual home decor, electronics, and other products to create more engaging consumer experiences.

A sense of community is built on the foundation of safety, privacy, and inclusivity

While interest in the metaverse may be present, concerns about its technology are also prevalent. According to research that analyzed over 180,000 conversations on social media, consumers have expressed worries about sexual harassment, personal safety, and privacy within virtual worlds.

For the metaverse to be widely adopted, it is crucial that safety and ethical considerations are taken into account. Brands looking to create and deploy virtual spaces, whether for consumer or employee use, must address these concerns and find a way to regulate them while maintaining privacy and security.

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