The metaverse is the likely future of the
internet. And as it takes shape, today’s
disparate collections of websites, applications,
and internet-enabled services will be transformed
into a series of persistent shared virtual
3D environments that exist in tandem with the
physical world. This resulting spectrum of digitally
enhanced worlds, realities, and business models is
what we define as the metaverse continuum.
Eventually, people will be able to enter,
explore, interact with, and exit these environments
as quickly and easily as they access
the internet via their smartphones today. And
these experiences will be supported by emerging
Web3 data technologies such as distributed
ledgers, cryptocurrencies, and non-fungible
tokens (NFTs).
The promise of the
industrial metaverse
What are the practical implications for industrial
companies? Consider some of the potential
benefits. By extending digital twins of industrial
and manufacturing systems into metaverse-like
spaces, companies could acquire an accurate
3D virtual representation of every plant or
facility they operate.
Imagine if each of those virtual plants was
able to show a full range of business and operational
data in real time. It would open up
new ways to view, explore, and access core
operational information and insights—at every
level from enterprise-wide down to individual
machines and components.
On one hand, leaders would have a new way
to view their businesses holistically, bringing
together data from a range of disparate sources
to visualize how the organization is functioning
in real time. On the other hand, shop floor
engineers could use these virtual spaces to
monitor performance, spot issues, and even
fix problems at a very granular level, as if they
were really there.
Rewriting remote
collaboration
This would have obvious advantages for difficult
to reach locations like oil rigs, mines, and remote
facilities. A single engineer could work remotely
from the office (or even from home) to advise
field technicians in many such locations—or even
perform certain tasks themselves.
But the benefits potentially extend across the
full range of industrial operations. Collaboration
in areas like industrial design could be transformed.
Designers could meet in virtual spaces
to discuss ideas while exploring an accurate 3D
representation of their design. Suppliers could
also be brought into these spaces to advise on the
integration of their components.
And what about the impact on industries like
construction? Imagine, for example, a construction
supervisor working on site, who is able to join
a virtual meeting with the local planning inspector.
With everything they need to hand in the
virtual space—architectural drawings, planning
documentation, real-time site video feeds via
drones, and so on—the whole meeting could be
completed in a matter of minutes.
When entire extended value chains can meet
in the metaverse like this, productivity could
skyrocket. It’s one reason that 71% of global
executives think the metaverse will have a positive
impact on their organizations according to
Accenture’s Technology Vision 2022.
The metaverse today
Early forms of metaverse-like spaces are already
emerging. BMW, for example, is building realtime
digital twins of 31 different factories. The
environment can be used for everything from
training robots to experimenting with new line
layouts, to running simulations virtually.
But it’s the blend of the virtual and the physical
that will ultimately be the key capability for
the industrial metaverse. Reflecting this, BMW’s
digital twins are also connected to each factory
in the physical world. That means employees can
push software updates, assign tasks to robots on
the floor, and even teleoperate certain machines
to complete individual tasks.
Get ready for the
future of the internet
Given that the metaverse is still in its infancy, what
should industrial companies be doing today? A key
priority is to invest in the technology foundations
that will enhance their ability to adapt to future
change as this new landscape evolves.
That includes expanding the use of cloud technologies—
which is now a must for every industrial
business. Similarly, continuing to invest in digital
twins is vital, as these will be a central component
of the industrial metaverse.
Companies should also keep abreast of advances
in areas like virtual reality, augmented reality, distributed
ledgers, and virtual marketplaces. These
are the technologies that will open up new experiences
and new value as the metaverse takes shape.
