Improving convenience for customers
Ever since Facebook CEO, Mark Zuckerberg first mentioned “metaverse” in his company’s online rebranding presentation last year, the term has taken off and entered the public consciousness. While many may think it’s simply restricted to social media, the idea of meeting, conversing, and transacting with others virtually has actually been a sci-fi dream for some time.
The metaverse may seem complicated, but one only need to watch recent films like “Ready Player One” and “Free Guy,” to see just how it’s capable of transforming our lives. They may be works of fiction, but the technology available today could soon make this dream a reality. In fact, some car companies have already integrated some elements of the metaverse into the way they do business now.
Virtual showroom
Buying a car has typically been an in-person activity. While the current pandemic may be a deterrent to physically seeing and experiencing a car, several companies have adopted new ways to show customers their vehicle’s interiors, features, and capabilities.
Perhaps the most common metaverse innovation is that of virtual showrooms. Many brands have digitally duplicated the experience of walking into a showroom, hopping from car to car, and seeing it in different colors.
Brands like Toyota, Nissan, Subaru, Geely, and several others have begun digitizing their local showrooms, simulating the experience of walking among cars, having a look around, and even sitting inside one.
In many cases, all car buyers need is their computer or mobile phone. By simply swiping or clicking, they can get a better look at both the outside and inside of the vehicle, learn about its features and even see it in a different color.
Augmented reality
Some cars have very technical features that often require a real world situation to truly show their potential. Some companies have turned to augmented reality to show them off.
In the case of Subaru’s symmetrical all-wheel drive, it truly shines in some harsh conditions. Naturally, Subaru can’t summon rain in real life, but it can in the virtual space to show customers just how their all-wheel drive system can adapt to changing conditions.
As for Ducati, seeing how it looks on the road or in your garage is an essential part of ownership experience. As such, the company allows owners to virtually place one in any location of their choosing to admire it beyond the confines of the showroom.
Video service
Service is another aspect that can be improved by the metaverse. Many customers likely hate having to listen to a machine tell them what number to press for a particular service. Many brands now are providing a virtual assistant customers can talk to with regard to certain issues. The intelligent assistant is pre-programmed to recognize certain questions and instantly provide answers. In some cases, there may even be a real human on the other end, chatting with the customer live.
When it comes to repairs, it’s hard to replicate the exact “weird” nose you hear your car makes. British brand, Morris Garages (MG) offers video consulting to allow owners to show a service technician a particular problem with a car or hear an unusual sound. This lets them quickly diagnose a problem and suggest a repair. If the customer can’t come to the service center, they can even send over their repair van to the customer’s home.
These are just a few services that are already being digitized and turned virtual. Yet there’s still many more aspects of car shopping, ownership, and maintenance that can be made more convenient.
Click the links below to see how the metaverse will change the automotive industry and mobility as a whole.
Getting in and out of our cars