A new report from the World Economic Forum reveals that U.S. manufacturing firms are turning to the industrial metaverse to tackle complex challenges across the production cycle. The study, which surveyed 100 of the largest companies across 10 industries, found that 92% of manufacturing executives are exploring metaverse implementations, with each executive investigating an average of six different use cases.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a driving force behind this shift, as manufacturers seek to accelerate production cycles while increasing efficiency and cost-effectiveness through predictive forecasting. Digital twin technology, which creates virtual models of physical objects, has emerged as a key tool in this effort.

Companies like Amazon and Mercedes-Benz are utilizing platforms like Nvidia Omniverse to run simulations for optimizing warehouse design, robot workstations, and manufacturing assembly facilities. Meanwhile, Nokia has been using the metaverse in Australia to assist aircraft technicians at remote airports.

The report highlights that the industrial metaverse can be applied across the entire product lifecycle, from pre-production stages like design and simulations, to production tasks like plant management, to post-production activities like product testing and quality assurance.

While the consumer metaverse is still in its early stages, the industrial metaverse is ahead on the adoption curve, driven by real-world business imperatives and on-the-ground implementation. The automotive, energy, software, aerospace, and defense industries are leading the way in terms of investment and activity.

However, the rise of generative artificial intelligence has caused some companies to hesitate on further metaverse investment, with the assumption that AI has caused the metaverse to retreat into the background.

Despite the potential efficiency gains offered by the industrial metaverse, concerns have been raised about its impact on intellectual property rights in creative industries. Researchers in the UK have called for approaches to address IP enforcement and governance issues in the metaverse, citing blockchain's resistance to change or correction as a challenge for flexibly managing IP rights.

As manufacturers continue to explore the industrial metaverse, balancing its potential benefits with intellectual property considerations will be crucial for ensuring its responsible and equitable adoption.