Survey - Metaverse: German economy is still on the brake
The majority of companies in Germany are not eager to lead the way on the topic of Metaverse. According to a representative survey of 605 companies with over 20 employees conducted by the Digital Association Bitkom between early January and late February 2024, 83% of them plan to wait and see what experiences other companies have with the Metaverse.
The Metaverse refers to a digital, interactive environment where users can enter using a Virtual Reality headset. In this environment, they can work, play, meet, shop, or work as avatars. Applications that display digital information in the real field of view of the users are also part of the Metaverse, such as instructions for operating a complex machine.
Interest and rejection are in balance
The surveyed companies see application possibilities in many industries and areas but are hesitant to take the lead. A fifth (20%) view the Metaverse as an opportunity, almost as many (17%) as a risk. Almost a quarter (27%) have no assessment, and 37% believe that the Metaverse will have no influence on their business.
At the same time, around a quarter (23%) are interested and open-minded towards the Metaverse, while almost as many (24%) are critical and dismissive. The largest group is still undecided (43%). One in ten companies (10%) believe that the Metaverse threatens their business model, and 15% feel threatened in their existence by it.
Apple Vision Pro Headset could "kickstart"
Bitkom Managing Director Bernhard Rohleder urged the economy to engage actively with the topic: "The initial euphoria over the Metaverse has certainly subsided, but there is no reason for pessimism." In the business sector, many applications are already in practical use.
Bitkom expects impetus from the market launch of the Apple Vision Pro headset in Germany this Friday. "This is a new device that we can already imagine will open doors - especially for industrial users," Rohleder said. However, the market will remain relatively small if the price remains high. Apple is asking at least 4,000 Euro for Vision Pro. The market launch of the first Smart-TVs around 20 years ago showed how quickly prices can then also drop. "They cost up to 20,000 Euro back then."
- Despite the reservations of many companies in Berlin and across Germany, the Metaverse has potential applications in various industries, as revealed by a survey conducted by Bitkom.
- In the survey, German companies were divided, with 20% seeing the Metaverse as an opportunity, 17% viewing it as a risk, and 27% having no assessment, while 37% believe it won't impact their business.
- The Apple Vision Pro Headset, set to launch in Germany this Friday, could potentially "kickstart" interest in the Metaverse among German companies, particularly in the industrial sector.
- The survey conducted by Bitkom, the Digital Association, showed that around a quarter of German companies are interested in the Metaverse, while another quarter is critical or dismissive.
- The Metaverse, a digital, interactive environment where users can work, play, meet, shop, and work as avatars, also includes applications that display digital information in the real field of view of the users, such as instructions for operating complex machines.
- The high price of the Apple Vision Pro Headset at 4,000 Euros might limit its market reach, but history has shown that technology prices can drop significantly over time, as demonstrated by the initial high prices of Smart-TVs around 20 years ago.
