2030 . With AR smart glasses and a virtual assistant , one would be able to travel a new city and shop for any goods and services . You will be able to test the goods before purchasing and pay right there , using virtual currency - like your crypto wallet or phone pay .
In the Ipsos global study for the World Economic Forum , we established that digital entertainment , gaming , and socializing are three of the areas that most people think will be impacted by the metaverse and Web3 ( 64 %, 60 % and 59 % respectively ).
Today we have clients asking us how they can recreate real-life environments into VR , so people will socialize with one another . However , not too far into the future , we will have more VR and AR technologies that blend more seamlessly into our everyday interactions .
There are three core technologies that will contribute to the spatial web and enable the intelligent , seamless digital-phytsical experience :
First is the hardware to see more immersive experiences such as AR , VR and XR . VR and AR - also called extended or mixed reality ( XR ) - headsets are some of the tools we can use to immerse ourselves in the interactive 3D experiences that are most associated with the metaverse .
The VR provides the most immersive experiences and is what most people are aware of . Using a Meta Quest 2 or Vive headset and controllers , you can be surrounded in fully digital spaces that are realistic . With VR technologies , we can have much more embodied remote social experiences , allowing us to do similar things that you would do with friends like play ping pong in virtual worlds such as Meta ’ s Horizons or even the popular kids game Roblox - only in these virtual worlds you will represent yourself .
For AR and XR Augmented ( AR ) and mixed reality ( XR ): In comparison to the totally digital worlds which we inhabit in VR , AR or XR overlays digital images , animations , text , audio , or other information onto your real-world environment . Despite AR experiences like ‘ trying on ’ a pair of sunglasses , using Snapchat face filters , or playing games such as Pokemon Go ! being available on smartphones or tablets , this technology is less widely known - only 54 % of US 13-55 year olds are aware of AR . 7 . This will increase as these types of XR experiences become more prevalent in
“
As a global leader in market research , Ipsos globally and even in Kenya delivers reliable information and true understanding of Society , Markets and People . We use data to help our clients make faster , smarter , and bolder decisions .
the future when ‘ smart glasses ’ technologies mature ; headsets like Hololens , Magic Leap , Snap ’ s Spectacles and eventually XR contact lenses can add virtual overlays to our real environment to create seamlessly blended digital-physical experiences .
The second is the economy to buy things in the metaverse including blockchain-based crypto currencies like Bitcoin and NFTs ( non-fungible tokens ).
You will also need the computing infrastructure to deliver ‘ metaversical ’ experiences including cloud computing , 5G networks and edge AI . Today , VR headsets are heavy and have a short battery life due to the computing required to render the pixel heavy digital worlds and transfer heavy loads of data between the device and cloud servers .
Companies like Magic Leap , Apple and Snap are working to minimize the size of headsets to something more akin to regular spectacles , developing new AI-enabled chips that process data on the device itself , much like our smartphones . Combined with 5G servers distributed around our cities , this localized network of processors can give users improved virtual experiences on smaller devices , while also enabling greater protection for their personal data by controlling what they send to ‘ the cloud ’
Considering the complex interplay of the technologies required to create these seamlessly connected and immersive experiences , there is no one simple solution for how business can develop a product for this increasingly virtual future .
At Ipsos , globally and even in Kenya , we approach this creative challenge by exploring potential opportunities in each part of the spatial web ecosystem and consider your organization ’ s needs to identify the most fitting tech and ecosystem solution ( s ) for your brand or product .
As a global leader in market research therefore , Ipsos globally and even in Kenya delivers reliable information and true understanding of Society , Markets and People . We use data to help our clients make faster , smarter , and bolder decisions . Our research professionals , analysts and scientists have built unique multi-specialist capabilities that provide powerful insights into the actions , opinions and motivations of citizens , consumers , patients , customers , or employees . Our 75 business solutions are based on primary data coming from our surveys , social media monitoring , and qualitative or observational techniques . “ Game Changers ” - our tagline - summarizes our ambition to help our 5,000 clients to navigate more easily our deeply changing world .
We are helping brands to understand the idea of the metaverse , what it is now , what it will become and how they can be a part of it .
These are just but a few thought starters to help you reframe how your organization is thinking about this more immersive future . Hopefully , the recent studies and even insights shared in this article can help you and your business to interact more with the metaverse , the future and how your business can become a part of it .
As we have seen , the metaverse will be tomorrow ’ s internet ; it is not a distinct technology or merely virtual worlds , but a technological ecosystem that offers seamless and permanent , connected experiences between real and virtual worlds- in every aspect of our life .
Enock Wandera currently serves as the Chief Client Officer at Ipsos Limited . You can commune with him on this and related matters on mail via : Enock . Wandera @ ipsos . com .