The concept of the industrial Metaverse has gained significant traction in 2024, emerging as a key focus within the XR (Extended Reality) realm. Major players like Microsoft and Meta have shifted their attention towards the industrial Metaverse, redirecting their narrative following waning confidence in the initial Metaverse wave earlier in the year.
The industrial Metaverse serves as an encompassing term for immersive digital solutions (VR/AR/MR) designed to support workplace applications such as remote collaboration, design processes, and training. This innovative landscape incorporates XR-related advancements like digital twins, immersive spaces, AR guidance, and simulations.
Microsoft took a significant step in generating interest in the industrial Metaverse, unveiling details about its industrial Metaverse roadmap in an online showcase earlier in the year. At the recent Ignite event, Microsoft introduced updates to its 2024 roadmap, introducing solutions such as avatars, immersive spaces, and AR guidance.
Meta, following a sluggish adoption of its Pro headset and workplace products, has now joined the industrial Metaverse momentum. The company is actively promoting the industrial Metaverse in its marketing materials and events, aligning with the introduction of XR products targeted at industry professionals.
Another notable entrant into this burgeoning space is Amazon Web Services (AWS). As the company builds its immersive product portfolio, it appears poised for a dynamic role in the XR industry throughout 2024. AWS seems committed to enhancing its spatial computing portfolio, but what offerings does the tech giant currently bring to the table?
Introducing the AWS Industrial Metaverse:
AWS is establishing a robust foundation for its vision of the industrial Metaverse, aiming to empower enterprise end-users with XR technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), digital twins, and simulations. The AWS industrial Metaverse solutions leverage VR, AR, and MR solutions, collaborating with partners to offer avenues for exploring XR, improving decision-making, facilitating collaboration, and enabling remote maintenance.
Currently, AWS provides two core first-party spatial computing solutions available on the cloud:
1. AWS IoT TwinMaker: This service streamlines digital twin content creation, assisting customers in designing digital representations of large-scale assets such as factories or industrial equipment. Leveraging pre-existing data on the cloud, AWS IoT TwinMaker optimizes digital twin content creation and allows clients to integrate critical real-world data with accessible digital twins. Notable enterprise clients, including Invista, Carrier, and John Holland, are already leveraging this solution.
2. SimSpace Weaver: This offering enables customers to create customized immersive spaces and simulations, utilizing AWS’s existing cloud infrastructure to simulate large-scale environments like cities with crowds.
In addition to these first-party solutions, AWS incorporates partner solutions in its industrial Metaverse portfolio, including Mytaverse, SURREAL, and PREVU3D services. As the 2024 cycle begins, Amazon and AWS are poised to significantly expand their industrial Metaverse solutions, potentially leading the market based on their established status as digital workplace solutions providers.
The Larger Landscape:
Other major players, including Microsoft and Meta, are actively building their industrial Metaverse portfolios. Microsoft, through its AI Cloud Partner Program, is collaborating with leading technology companies to develop industrial Metaverse solutions, emphasizing the coexistence of AI and MR (Mixed Reality).
Meta, in its commitment to supporting XR in the workplace and education, is exploring the potential of augmented and virtual reality technologies. The recent Connect 2023 event showcased consumer use cases, but Meta’s President of Global Affairs, Nick Clegg, highlighted the company’s dedication to supporting European companies leveraging AR and VR for societal improvement.
While Meta and Microsoft are key players in the industrial Metaverse, numerous other XR firms, such as RealWear and Siemens, are actively contributing to the development of industrial Metaverse solutions.
In a crowded space filled with companies vying for prominence in the rapidly evolving industrial Metaverse landscape, AWS stands out with its assets, extensive contacts, and experience, positioning itself to scale XR into the workplace. Given AWS’s close ties to consumer technologies, the company may extend its reach into various areas of the XR space, further solidifying its role as a major player in this dynamic sector.
