The Industrial Metaverse

The concept of the Metaverse, as depicted in the Matrix movies, refers to a virtual world that is fully immersive and interactive, where people can experience and interact with each other and with virtual objects and environments as if they were real. In the Matrix, the Metaverse serves as a simulated reality that is created and maintained by artificial intelligence machines to keep humans unaware of the true nature of the world. 

In the real world, the term Metaverse is often used to refer to a collective virtual shared space, created by the convergence of virtually enhanced physical reality and physically persistent virtual space, including the sum of all virtual worlds, augmented reality, and the internet. The Metaverse is seen as a potential future evolution of the internet, where users can interact with each other and with virtual objects and environments in real-time, creating a fully immersive and interactive digital world.

DARQ technologies, such as Big Data, Cloud Provisioning, AI/ML, AR/VR/XR, Distributed Ledger, Genetic Programming and Quantum Computing, are expected to play a significant role in the development of the Metaverse. These technologies can enable the creation of realistic and interactive virtual environments, facilitate the integration of virtual and physical worlds, and provide the necessary infrastructure and capabilities for the Metaverse to function.

As the Metaverse continues to evolve and become more prevalent, it is likely to have a significant impact on how we interact with each other and with the digital world, potentially transforming the way we live, work, and play.

In this article, we lay down our perspective of the future for digital, the progression of the metaverse in particular in an industrial setting, and details of companies and funding opportunities.

NUMO_IndustrialMetaverse

What is your perspective on the future of the Metaverse? Now that Meta (formerly Facebook) is backing out a bit…

The Metaverse is an emerging technology that is still in its early stages, and its future is difficult to predict with certainty. However, there is no doubt that the concept of the Metaverse has captured the imagination of many people, and its potential applications are vast and varied.

The recent announcement by Meta (formerly Facebook) that it is rebranding and refocusing on the Metaverse has brought renewed attention to this concept. Meta’s vision for the Metaverse involves creating a fully immersive and interconnected virtual world that is accessible to anyone with an internet connection. The company has stated that it sees the Metaverse as the next major computing platform, with the potential to revolutionize how we interact with technology and with each other.

However, the Metaverse is not without its challenges and concerns. One of the main concerns is the issue of privacy and security. As more and more of our personal data and interactions move into the digital realm, there is a risk that this information could be compromised or misused. Additionally, there are concerns around the potential for addiction and other negative social impacts that could arise from spending too much time in virtual worlds.

Despite these challenges, many experts believe that the Metaverse has the potential to bring significant benefits, such as enabling new forms of social interaction, enhancing education and training, and creating new opportunities for commerce and entertainment. As such, it is likely that the development of the Metaverse will continue to be a major focus for technology companies and innovators in the years to come, even if Meta is backing out a bit.

Do you think the Industrial Metaverse is the next incarnation for the Industrial Revolution (version 5)?

The Industrial Metaverse has the potential to be the next incarnation of the Industrial Revolution, but it is still too early to say for sure. The Industrial Revolution was a period of major technological advancement that transformed the way goods were manufactured and distributed, leading to significant economic growth and societal change.

The Industrial Metaverse, with its focus on digital transformation and the integration of physical and virtual systems, has the potential to bring about similar transformations in industry and society. By creating virtual representations of physical assets, such as factories and supply chains, and leveraging technologies such as IoT, digital twins, and AI, the Industrial Metaverse can enable more efficient and agile manufacturing processes, better supply chain management, and new forms of product design and customization.

The concept of the Industrial Metaverse is still in its early stages, and its development will depend on the continued advancement and integration of various technologies, as well as the creation of new standards and protocols for interoperability. However, many experts believe that the Industrial Metaverse has the potential to be a major driver of economic growth and innovation, and that it will play an important role in shaping the future of industry and society.

What companies are positioned to exploit the Industrial Metaverse landscape?

There are many companies that are currently positioned to exploit the Industrial Metaverse landscape, ranging from large multinational corporations to small startups. Some of the key players in this space include:

  1. Siemens: Siemens is a global technology company that provides solutions in areas such as automation, electrification, and digitalization. The company has been investing heavily in the development of digital twin technology, which is a key component of the Industrial Metaverse.
  2. Microsoft: Microsoft is a leading provider of cloud computing services and has been developing solutions in areas such as IoT, AI, and mixed reality that are key to the Industrial Metaverse. The company’s Azure Digital Twins platform is specifically designed to enable the creation of digital twins for industrial assets.
  3. IBM: IBM is a global technology company that provides solutions in areas such as AI, blockchain, and cloud computing. The company has been investing in the development of digital twin technology and has also been exploring the use of blockchain for supply chain management, which is a key application of the Industrial Metaverse.
  4. PTC: PTC is a software company that provides solutions in areas such as CAD, PLM, and IoT. The company’s ThingWorx platform is specifically designed to enable the creation of digital twins for industrial assets and to facilitate the integration of physical and digital systems.
  5. Amazon: Amazon is a leading provider of cloud computing services and has been developing solutions in areas such as IoT, AI, and virtual and augmented reality that are key to the Industrial Metaverse. The company’s AWS IoT platform is specifically designed to enable the creation of digital twins for industrial assets.
  6. Unity Technologies: Unity Technologies is a software company that provides a platform for the creation of virtual and augmented reality experiences. The company’s platform is widely used in the gaming industry and is increasingly being used in industrial applications, such as training and simulation.
  7. NVIDIA: NVIDIA is a technology company that provides solutions in areas such as AI and graphics processing. The company’s GPUs are widely used in virtual and augmented reality applications and are key to enabling the immersive experiences that are a hallmark of the Industrial Metaverse.

These are just a few examples of the companies that are currently positioned to exploit the Industrial Metaverse landscape. As the development of this technology continues, we can expect to see new players emerge and existing players evolve their strategies to take advantage of this rapidly growing market.

How can Nvidia’s Omniverse and PTC’s Thingworx coordinate together to build the fabric for automation for an end-to-end connected solution?

Nvidia’s Omniverse and PTC’s Thingworx are both key components of the Industrial Metaverse and can work together to build the fabric for automation for an end-to-end connected solution.

Nvidia’s Omniverse is a simulation and collaboration platform that allows for the creation and sharing of digital twins in real-time. It provides a way for teams to work together and simulate the behavior of complex systems before they are built in the physical world.

PTC’s Thingworx, on the other hand, is an IoT platform that enables the creation of digital twins for industrial assets and facilitates the integration of physical and digital systems. It provides a way to monitor and analyze data from sensors and other sources in real-time, and to use that data to optimize processes and improve performance.

Together, these two platforms can be used to build an end-to-end connected solution for automation. For example, a digital twin of a manufacturing plant could be created in Omniverse, and then connected to Thingworx to monitor real-time data from sensors and other sources. This data could then be analyzed using AI and machine learning algorithms to optimize processes and improve performance.

In addition, Omniverse and Thingworx could be used together to simulate and test new processes and workflows before they are implemented in the physical world. This can help to reduce costs and minimize risks, as any issues or problems can be identified and addressed in the digital realm before they have real-world consequences.

Overall, the combination of Nvidia’s Omniverse and PTC’s Thingworx provides a powerful platform for building end-to-end connected solutions for automation. By leveraging the capabilities of both platforms, companies can improve efficiency, reduce costs, and improve performance across a wide range of industries and applications.

What do you think of SAP in this context?

SAP is a major player in the industrial software space and has been working to position itself in the Industrial Metaverse landscape. SAP offers a range of products and services, including ERP, supply chain management, and asset management solutions, which can be used to create digital twins and integrate physical and digital systems.

SAP’s Digital Supply Chain suite of products, for example, can be used to create digital twins of assets and processes, monitor and analyze real-time data from sensors and other sources, and optimize supply chain performance. These capabilities are critical for companies looking to leverage the Industrial Metaverse to improve their operations and reduce costs.

In addition, SAP has also partnered with other companies in the space, such as NVIDIA, to bring AI and machine learning capabilities to its platform. This allows for more advanced analytics and predictive capabilities, which can help companies to identify and address issues before they become problems.

Overall, SAP’s position in the Industrial Metaverse landscape is strong, given its extensive experience in industrial software and its range of products and services that can be leveraged in this context. As the Industrial Metaverse continues to evolve and grow, it is likely that SAP will continue to play an important role in helping companies to build end-to-end connected solutions for automation and other industrial applications.

Most of the large companies that we have been taking about have an investment arm to promote independent growth in a new sector. For example Nvidia has NVentures, SAP has Sapphire Ventures and Microsoft has M12.vc. How do you think a new start up like Numorpho Cybernetic Systems should position itself to build a process automation platform by coordinating with such companies and their venture arms?

If a new startup like Numorpho Cybernetic Systems wants to position itself to build a process automation platform by coordinating with established companies and their venture arms, there are several strategies that can be employed:

  1. Clearly define the value proposition: Numorpho Cybernetic Systems should clearly articulate the value proposition of its process automation platform and how it differentiates from existing solutions. This will help in attracting the attention of investors and potential partners.
  2. Build strategic partnerships: Building strategic partnerships with established companies and their venture arms can provide the necessary resources and expertise to build a process automation platform. Numorpho Cybernetic Systems should identify potential partners that align with its vision and values, and explore opportunities for collaboration.
  3. Leverage the network effect: As a new entrant in the market, Numorpho Cybernetic Systems should leverage the network effect by building partnerships with companies that already have established customer bases. This can help in accelerating adoption of the process automation platform.
  4. Demonstrate value through pilots: Numorpho Cybernetic Systems should focus on demonstrating the value of its process automation platform through pilots with early adopters. This can help in building credibility and attracting further investment.
  5. Be flexible and agile: As the Industrial Metaverse landscape evolves rapidly, Numorpho Cybernetic Systems should be flexible and agile in adapting to changing market conditions and customer needs. This can help in staying ahead of the competition and building a sustainable business.
Can you summarize NVentures, Sapphire Ventures and M12.vc and how they fund startups in specialized domains?

Yes, here’s a brief summary of NVentures, Sapphire Ventures, and M12.vc and how they fund startups in specialized domains:

  1. NVentures: NVentures is the investment arm of Nvidia, a technology company that specializes in graphics processing units (GPUs) and artificial intelligence (AI) computing. NVentures invests in startups that are developing new technologies and applications that can leverage Nvidia’s GPUs and AI platforms. The focus areas for NVentures include AI, autonomous vehicles, robotics, and gaming. NVentures typically provides seed to series C funding to startups.
  2. Sapphire Ventures: Sapphire Ventures is the venture capital arm of SAP, a software company that specializes in enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. Sapphire Ventures invests in startups that are developing new technologies and applications that can integrate with SAP’s ERP systems. The focus areas for Sapphire Ventures include cloud computing, enterprise software, and data analytics. Sapphire Ventures typically provides seed to series B funding to startups.
  3. M12.vc: M12.vc (formerly known as Microsoft Ventures) is the investment arm of Microsoft, a technology company that specializes in software, hardware, and cloud computing services. M12.vc invests in startups that are developing new technologies and applications that can leverage Microsoft’s platforms and services. The focus areas for M12.vc include AI, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and enterprise software. M12.vc typically provides seed to series C funding to startups.

Overall, these venture arms are focused on investing in startups that align with the core businesses of their parent companies and can help to drive innovation and growth in specialized domains.

I hear OpenAI has a startup fund too. How does one pitch to it?

OpenAI does have a startup fund, called the OpenAI Startup Fund. However, at the moment, the fund is not accepting any new applications or pitches. In 2020, OpenAI announced that it had allocated $100 million to invest in promising AI startups through the fund. The goal of the fund is to support startups that are working on developing transformative AI technologies that can benefit society.

When the fund was initially announced, OpenAI indicated that it would be seeking out startups that are working on developing breakthrough AI technologies and that have a strong team with the technical expertise to execute on their vision. While there is currently no information available on when the fund will begin accepting new applications or pitches, interested startups can stay up to date by monitoring OpenAI’s website and social media channels for any updates or announcements about the fund.

Are their other similar investment arms in other companies in the industrial sector?

Yes, there are other similar investment arms in other companies in the industrial sector. Here are a few examples:

  1. Siemens Venture Capital: This is the venture capital arm of Siemens AG, one of the world’s largest producers of energy-efficient technologies. The firm invests in early-stage and late-stage companies that are working on innovative technologies in areas such as energy, healthcare, and industrial automation.
  2. GE Ventures: This is the venture capital arm of General Electric (GE), a multinational conglomerate that is focused on a wide range of industries, including aviation, healthcare, renewable energy, and transportation. GE Ventures invests in startups that are developing technologies in areas such as advanced manufacturing, energy storage, and software analytics.
  3. Intel Capital: This is the venture capital arm of Intel Corporation, a leading manufacturer of microprocessors and other computer hardware. Intel Capital invests in startups that are developing technologies in areas such as artificial intelligence, autonomous vehicles, and the Internet of Things.
  4. Bosch Venture Capital: This is the venture capital arm of Bosch, a multinational engineering and technology company. The firm invests in startups that are developing technologies in areas such as automotive systems, industrial IoT, and smart home devices.

These investment arms typically look for startups that are working on technologies that are aligned with their parent company’s strategic interests. They often provide more than just funding, and can offer startups access to resources, expertise, and networks that can help them accelerate their growth and development.

NI+IN UCHIL – Founder, CEO & Technical Evangelist
nitin.uchil@numorpho.com

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