Intro to the metaverse (Part 5 of 7): AR/VR in the metaverse – How augmented reality and virtual reality are shaping the new virtual world

AR/VR in the metaverse will be fundamental since both technologies will be needed to power virtual worlds. Augmented reality, or AR, refers to the ability to enhance a user’s physical reality with computer-generated output (often images, sounds, or text). Virtual reality, or VR, refers to a simulated experience that is completely different from the “real world.”

The metaverse is often described as a “3D virtual world,” and VR will be critical to its foundation. Another goal is for the metaverse to also exist through wearable technology, where users can simultaneously see the physical world around them but also have access to more interactive experiences thanks to AR. 

Let’s examine what AR/VR in the metaverse might look like over the next several years.

Mass adoption of wearable technology

Let’s be honest: virtual reality has been here for a long time. Facebook famously acquired Oculus for $2 billion, with many analysts predicting, at the time, that virtual reality would be the next big tech trend. 

One of the central obstacles to mass adoption of the metaverse is that many VR and AR headsets are clunky and uncomfortable. Augmented reality companies will have to design more affordable and lighter headsets to make traveling to the metaverse more seamless and natural.

It doesn’t take a business expert to know that competition drives innovation. With some of the world’s most powerful tech companies intensely competing to create AR and VR headsets, you can expect to see more sleek and stylish headsets on the market relatively soon. Without comfortable wearable technology, it’s hard to see how the metaverse thrives.

AR and shopping

Many analysts expect the metaverse to generate trillions of dollars over the next several years. Many brands will have to build out virtual stores in the metaverse for this to happen. The beauty of metaverse shopping is that users will likely purchase both physical and virtual products, and booth augmented reality and virtual reality will enhance the customer experience.

There are different ways that AR/VR in the metaverse can play a role in the shopping experience. A retail store might have an area where users can travel to the metaverse within the store. A different clothing store might offer augmented reality features that allow customers to “preview” the clothes on their body. 

Major retailers are already preparing for the metaverse. Walmart filed patents indicating that it plans to sell virtual goods in the future and may even create its own cryptocurrency and NFTs. Other retailers like Adidas and Nike also plan to create virtual stores in the metaverse.

Redefining remote work

There’s no denying the fact that the concept of “work” has changed significantly over the past several years. Now the metaverse can offer a new way for employees to interact with each other, conduct job interviews, or even onboard into a new organization. It’s easy to see how a company might want to invest in a virtual office in the metaverse, since it can offer social interaction and cost much less than a lavish physical office.

Many companies are building tools that will make remote work easier in the metaverse, whether you’re a business owner trying to schedule meetings with remote employees or a creative trying to come up with more interactive presentations or pitch decks. This will all be possible thanks to both augmented reality and virtual reality tools.

Even before the pandemic, globalization was changing the way organizations operate. With the rise of augmented reality and virtual reality, it would be possible for employees all over the world to congregate and collaborate in real-time. 

How else will AR/VR in the metaverse evolve?

The metaverse is still incredibly new, and the companies and startups that establish a strong presence early on will likely benefit the most over the next several years. Will metaverse offices become popular for businesses? Will the metaverse pivot more towards entertainment experiences like fashion shows and music concerts?

To determine how AR/VR in the metaverse will evolve, there are also other questions to ask. Will augmented reality become the main gateway to the metaverse, or will virtual reality be more critical to the metaverse’s foundation? Will NFTs end up being a gateway or introduction to the metaverse?

There are many challenges to mass adoption of the metaverse, but both augmented reality and virtual reality will likely play a foundational role of some kind. Until then, we can only guess as to what metaverse trends will end up dominating the space.