While ABI Research has been directly covering the metaverse for a couple years now, our coverage of the underlying technologies and markets stretches further back—research into Extended Reality (XR), for example, started in 2015. The metaverse is a confluence of markets and technologies that bring together the virtual and real worlds, and despite building upon many pre-existing trends, is still very much in its infancy. There are technological developments and standards that must be addressed, as well as education, before widespread adoption of immersive technologies will occur. Whether it’s for entertainment purposes or to provide business value, there are many ways to leverage the metaverse. As momentum continues to develop for immersive technologies, here are some of the most beneficial metaverse use cases and applications for various industries.

Modern supply chains are extremely complex, involving various stakeholders, regions, transport systems, and even standards. Adding to this complexity is the fact that various software systems used for supply chain management generate data in their own separate silos. It’s tough to draw definitive conclusions and improve supply chain operations when data are disorganized. Therefore, acquiring a unified inflection point that captures all these data in a single location is essential to keep operations running smoothly. Enter supply chain control towers, which give logistics operators full visibility into various systems, processes, assets, etc. in one platform.

A number of cloud service providers are resolute in their support of enterprises’ digital twin efforts. Whether it’s Amazon Web Services’ (AWS) IoT TwinMaker or Alibaba Cloud’s Venue Simulation Service (VSS), various solutions exist for cloud-enabled digital twin deployment. The trend of technology providers shifting focus to cloud-driven digital twins is driven by the higher computing needs of industrial operators, manufacturers, supply chains, etc. Introducing highly specialized workloads like Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning (ML) and intelligent Internet of Things (IoT) devices draws significant compute needs, which makes cloud platforms ideal for modern digital twin applications.

Whenever you use an elevator, do you wonder how it was designed? Or, if you’re shopping for a new car, are you curious about who brought this impressive machinery to life? Being an employee of a large manufacturing firm, maybe you do. But the average consumer puts little thought into the hard work done by mechanical engineers to translate an idea into a functional, safe-to-use product. We often take it for granted that the elevator works correctly or that the car’s shape supports aerodynamism. It’s through numerous sketches, testing, and modifications that power-producing machines get to the final form we see them in. These laborious processes can be greatly streamlined using Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software fine-tuned for engineering teams.  

5G Massive Multiple Input, Multiple Output (mMIMO) is one of the biggest breakthroughs in wireless communications. It broadens mobile network coverage, expands data capacity, and provides a top-tier user experience for mobile users. Massive MIMO is quickly becoming a staple in the telecommunications industry, with ABI Research forecasting just shy of 47 million radio shipments annually by 2027.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the technology of our time, bound to change our personal and professional lives in some way, shape, or form. As enterprises aim to leverage AI to boost productivity and technology, vendors wish to optimize their product portfolios, so AI market research is more pivotal than ever. ABI Research connects the end users and the tech vendors providing AI solutions with essential insights. Through technology analysis reports, presentations, competitive rankings, and market data forecasts, ABI Research provides a unique voice to the AI industry. These products can be used to forecast demand for various AI hardware and software, identify the most important trends sweeping the industry, evaluate the competitive landscape, and provide best practices when implementing AI solutions. Here are some research topics from our most recent content deliverables covering our AI & Machine Learning Research Service.  

Enterprises continue to contend with increasing complexity in their operations, prompting them to ramp up their digitalization efforts. Extended Reality (XR), which includes both Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR), is one of the top technologies being used by enterprises and industrial firms. Of all the ways it benefits businesses, employee training is one of the most firmly established use cases of AR/VR. Using AR/VR training applications provides an interactive medium for employees to improve their understanding of complex/abstract concepts, simulate scenarios, apply knowledge, and harness their skills in secure settings.  

Smart building platforms are software-based solutions that help real estate owners improve operational efficiency and reduce their carbon emissions. The key to making this happen is the collection of data from various endpoints (connected devices), leading to improved lighting control, occupancy sensing, and Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC). Not only do smart building platforms collect droves of essential data about energy usage and operational flows, but they can automate many aspects of building management. The top six companies providing smart building platforms allow organizations to meet sustainability goals and reduce their energy costs.

The modern enterprise faces significant macroeconomic challenges, with high inflation, rising energy and production costs, and widespread labor shortages affecting operations. To overcome these challenges, enterprises are further digitizing, taking advantage of everything from Augmented Reality (AR) to the Internet of Things (IoT). These high-bandwidth applications require a formidable connectivity backbone, making 5G deployments a key enabler of digitization. 5G promises big connectivity upgrades for enterprises, supporting Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), Enhanced Ultra-Reliable Low Latency Communication (eURLLC), and Massive Machine-Type Communication (mMTC).

Digital transformation is in full swing in the mining industry. Most of the top mining companies are searching for talent with experience in technologies like data analytics and Artificial Intelligence (AI). The search for tech talent stems from a wave of challenges that cast doubt on the future of mining and metals operations. Mining firms realize that in the face of macroeconomic uncertainty, geopolitical instability, and an aging workforce, automation is essential to remaining competitive. This article sets out to help you envision what digital transformation means for mining operations in two ways. First, by explaining the most urgent market drivers of digitalization in the industry. Secondly, by listing the most digitalized mining firms worldwide ABI Research has assessed.