Metaverse examples Flashcards
Why is training an interesting/valuable area?
Training Example Intro
Firstly I’ve picked training. And the reason this one is first is because I think it is potentially the most fundamental use-case of metaverse technologies. Or at least the use-case that has the widest applicability. I think if a certain company approaches PwC wanting to get into the metaverse space - arguably training is a relatively low hanging fruit with a significant amount of obvious tangible benefits that most companies can benefit from.
BT. Problem/solution. Interesting Finding?
Training Example Body
Context: And the example I’m using here is with BT Openreach, who were making their first steps into using VR training as a way to prepare their employees working on high-voltage lines. And this is one of the projects we funded actually.
Action: So the original problem for BT was that they were interested in looking at how could improve their productivity, safety and reduce costs. How it worked was that they teamed up with a VR training service provider and created an experience where the trainees could essentially learn how to fix high-voltage wires in a VR simulation.
Result: Long story short is that it worked well in achieving the original aims - and there were also some interesting learning in that the retention of information was better if the VR simulation wasn’t 100% realistic and had some element of wow factor.
Retail store. Simple UI rather than clunky.
AR In Retail Intro
This second example is looking at the use of AR in retail stores as well as other public environments. But for this one I was thinking it was a good example of the power of simple effective UI in making a metaverse technology a seamless integration rather than a clunky one.
Dent. Example. Interest to business. Other uses.
AR in Retail example
Context: So the company I’m talking about is called Dent Reality, and their technology is focused on medium to large public spaces in order to improve the experience of people using that place.
Action: So, their most famous example is using a supermarket where, with their application, you look down and see what looks like a map application with an accurate representation of where you are in the shop. But also, when you point your phone upwards, you can then see an AR overlay of directional information of the best route and maybe even extra useful info.
Result: And basically this is a really high interest project to a bunch of incredibly large retailers where they can use AR technology (as well as complex location tracking technology) to really add value to the overall user experience of the person in the store.
Learning: And interestingly I think it’s entirely possible for this type of tech to be used in other big spaces/indoor spaces - potentially airports or large events like festivals where navigation is typically hard. Or even the underground for example.
Interest from business and brands.
Live Events Intro
And the last example I’ll give is of live events, where there has been quite a lot of interest from businesses and brands over the past couple of years - especially since fortnite has made it a big deal. That’s where it really picked up in my opinion.
2 types. Example of each. Implications. Opportunity.
Live Events Example
Context: So I think there are probably 2 main types of live events using metaverse technologies. There is the entertainment side, which is more focused towards artists and brands. And there’s the more corporate side - which is more to do with speaking at events and networking.
Action: In this context, an example of each would be…
For entertainment: o2 creating their venue in fortnite for people to view a live performance.
For business: HTC making their company all-staff an entirely virtual event.
Results: And for both I think there’s really interesting implications of using metaverse tech in a new way. On the entertainment side - the level of reach that is possible in some of these live events is insane. No wonder brands want to get involved.
And on the business virtual event side, the fact that you can get an entire global company to experience the same thing from whichever location is quite remarkable.
Learning: I think both are still quite far off being a finished product, obviously. But I think there’s real opportunity for businesses in that live virtual event space.
