The recent study highlights a significant shift in the industrial sector, with 62 percent of companies increasing their investment in metaverse technologies in 2024. The report indicates that 81 percent of these companies are either using, testing, or planning to implement industrial metaverse use cases. These efforts focus on enhancing product development, operations, workforce management, and supply chain management.
Peter Koerte from Siemens AG remarked on the rapid development of fundamental technologies such as digital twins, artificial intelligence (AI), and the Internet of Things (IoT). "Many companies are not only experimenting with these technologies but are already employing and scaling concrete use cases that demonstrate the added value of the industrial metaverse," he stated.
Brian Partridge from S&P Global Market Intelligence noted that "the industrial metaverse is proving to be more than just a promising concept – it’s emerging as a core driver of digital transformation." He emphasized the transition from pilot projects to full-scale applications reflecting growing confidence in these technologies' potential.
Large companies with over 5,000 employees show notable investment increases; 58 percent reported higher spending. Additionally, medium-sized businesses also increased investments at an above-average rate. Smaller firms face challenges due to limited resources but still see 58 percent raising their expenditure on these technologies.
Industries like industrial products and electronics lead in technology adoption. The United States has the highest percentage of active users at 38.4 percent, followed by China and Germany. Other countries such as Canada, Australia, the UK, and India are also advancing in this field.
Investment levels vary by region; North America leads with Europe and Asia-Pacific following closely behind. This trend underscores a global movement towards integrating metaverse solutions for efficiency and sustainable growth.