As the industrial metaverse evolves into an enterprise tool, spatial technologies are revolutionizing industrial applications by leveraging data and AI to replicate real-world processes.
Innovative technologies often capture the imagination of early adopters and consumers, only to reemerge later as powerful business tools. This transition, often seen as a journey along Gartner’s technology hype cycle, underscores the shift from tech novelty to practical utility, as discussed in Tech Trends 2023. In our previous trend analysis, “Through the glass: Immersive internet for the enterprise,” we predicted the metamorphosis of the metaverse, or immersive internet, into a fully-fledged enterprise asset, marked by emerging interaction capabilities like augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) simulations.
This year, the evolution of metaverse capabilities has led to the emergence of spatial computing, extending beyond consumer realms to encompass industrial applications. As spatial technologies pivot from consumer gadgets to enterprise essentials, industrial sectors are embracing digital twins, spatial simulations, augmented work instructions, and collaborative digital environments to enhance safety and efficiency in factories and businesses. The potential is immense: Industrial metaverse revenue is forecasted to exceed US$100 billion by 2030, eclipsing both consumer (US$50 billion) and enterprise (US$30 billion) segments.
Whether through conventional devices like tablets or cutting-edge innovations like smart glasses, factory workers, designers, and engineers are experiencing immersive 3D interactions unlike anything traditional knowledge workers have encountered. The industrial metaverse relies on real-world physics, employing spatial data and artificial intelligence to create immersive visualizations that faithfully replicate real-life processes. Picture line workers using smart glasses to seek guidance from experts at a distant plant or engineers prototyping new equipment within physics-based, photorealistic digital twins. Organizations embracing new construction projects often adopt a “simulation first” approach before breaking ground.
With enhanced access to high-fidelity 3D assets and extended reality hardware (encompassing AR, VR, and mixed reality), the path to an operationalized spatial web is paved, where a digital layer superimposed over reality enhances cross-industry workflows. This advancement could usher in an era of streamlined operations, where autonomous systems, instant 3D models, and quantum computing, paired with optimized human engagement, revolutionize applications such as remote surgeries. Envision an entire factory floor managed by a single interconnected worker.
Recent years have witnessed substantial technological advancements laying the groundwork for the industrial metaverse. Investments in digital twins, 5G connectivity, cloud infrastructure, edge computing, and AI have yielded significant value and addressed longstanding challenges. A recent Deloitte study revealed that 92% of manufacturing executives are experimenting with or implementing metaverse-related use cases, with an average of more than six initiatives currently underway. Executives anticipate a 12% to 14% improvement across various metrics, including sales, throughput, and quality, through investments in metaverse use cases.
Process simulation and digital twins emerge as the most prevalent use cases, particularly in complex industrial environments where simulations offer invaluable insights. When integrated with real-time data and models via the Internet of Things (IoT) and advanced networking, simulations enhance the likelihood of successful project execution and operational optimization. The global digital twins market is poised for exponential growth, projected to soar from US$6.5 billion in 2021 to US$125.7 billion by 2030.
The optimal interface for interacting with full-scale digital twins is augmented reality (AR), which overlays physical environments with digital elements, creating a shared, immersive internet experience. The global AR device market reached US$38.6 billion in 2022, with software and hardware witnessing a 36% annual growth rate through 2030. While industrial and manufacturing applications dominate the current AR market, healthcare applications, including training and surgical simulation, are forecasted to grow at a compound annual rate of 44% through 2030. The proliferation of consumer applications, catalyzed by the pandemic-induced e-commerce surge, underscores the diverse applications of digital twins beyond enterprise contexts.
The future of spatial computing is promising, with ongoing technological advancements driving its evolution. As satellite networks merge with IoT sensors in remote factories, real-time data processing becomes a reality. The evolution of digital twins promises photorealistic simulations based on physics and AI, integrated within corporate ecosystems like BMW’s Omniverse platform. This transformative progress will impact various enterprise domains, from spatial planning to design to operations.
Spatial web is still under construction?
The emergence of the spatial web, also known as Web 3.0, heralds the convergence of digital content and physical objects, blurring the distinction between these two realities. Through next-generation interfaces like smart glasses, the spatial web enables real-time interactions prompted by physical surroundings, facilitated by geolocation, computer vision, and biometric commands. With projected revenues surpassing US$600 billion by 2032, the spatial computing market is poised to dwarf previous metaverse estimates.
While the full potential of the spatial web remains on the horizon, innovators are laying its groundwork today. Over the next 18 to 24 months, companies should capitalize on the value propositions of spatial operations and equip their workforce with technologies that amplify productivity.
Augmented workforce
The adoption of AR/VR tools among industrial workers yields efficiency gains across key areas:
- Increased monitoring: AR devices enable immersive experiences, allowing fewer experts to monitor multiple facilities remotely.
- Reduced onboarding time: New employees learn through simulations integrated with standard operating procedures, accelerating the learning curve.
- Reduced safety risk: AR/VR technologies prepare workers for hazardous environments, enhancing safety protocols and procedures.
Product design, development, and sales
Spatial operations drive top-line revenue growth by enhancing customer engagement and product innovation:
- AR technologies empower retailers to offer immersive shopping experiences, resulting in increased revenue per visitor.
- AR facilitates product design and testing under simulated conditions, fostering agility and sustainability.
- Simulations optimize resource allocation and operational efficiency, mitigating risks and reducing time to market.
Space planning and simulation
Spatial computing enables precise facility planning and layout optimization, minimizing costs and enhancing operational effectiveness:
- Digital simulations replicate real-world scenarios, allowing architects to design and test layouts before implementation.
- AR-powered planning tools streamline in-store updates, reducing costs and environmental impact.
Digital Future
The imminent release of Apple Vision Pro underscores the growing prominence of spatial computing. As interaction technology evolves, simplicity remains paramount, unlocking unprecedented accessibility and usability. Spatial computing promises seamless integration of natural gestures with digital environments, bridging the gap between biology and technology.
As technology advances, companies face a pivotal juncture: Embrace spatial computing’s potential or risk falling behind. Beyond technical training, enterprises must address privacy, cybersecurity, and data protection concerns associated with digital manipulation of physical environments. Spatial operations herald a transformative era, reshaping consumer and enterprise landscapes in the years ahead.
