Metaverse: New technology empowers the vision of mobility

With the development of automobile intelligence, automobile products have gradually evolved from a transportation vehicle driven by "horsepower" to an intelligent technology terminal based on "computing power". From a car to a flow of traffic, the Metaverse has opened up previously unrelated travel modes and made them interconnected and complementary. Cycling, shared travel, self-driving public transportation, etc., have become an interconnected community in the metaverse, and are eventually applied to reality, working together to build a smart future life for mankind. At the 2021 German International Automobile and Smart Travel Expo, many topics and related products related to cars and the Metaverse were displayed in front of the public. At the next 2023 Expo, it is expected that more novel ideas and cutting-edge technologies will be displayed to present connected experiences supported by the Metaverse.

Cars + Metaverse, car companies are doing their best

From real life to the metaverse, car companies are trying to use various methods to improve service quality and promote connected travel through virtual platforms. In its concept, human-computer interaction and network interconnection are important keywords. From this point of view, intelligent driving can be seen as the link between the metaverse and cars. Looking at the car companies involved in intelligent driving technology, the ultimate goal is to expand intelligent technology and accumulate data. Whether it is the Tesla robot launched by Tesla or Xpeng's intelligent robot horse and flying car, they all have something in common with the sensors and AI technology required by the Metaverse.

The Metaverse and automobiles will develop together in the future, and the past competition between various means of transportation for road space will be replaced by convenient and efficient intelligent driving. Car companies develop automatic public transportation systems by participating in urban smart transportation; they improve road congestion by launching shared travel solutions and further enhance the happiness of connected travel.

The German International Automobile and Smart Mobility Expo imagines the future of the Metaverse

In 2021, during the German International Automobile and Smart Travel Expo, BMW launched its own unique virtual world JOYTOPIA. There are a total of three virtual worlds involving the core important themes of the future of the BMW Group, rethinking, restructuring and rebirth, including content on the circular economy, electric mobility, urban mobility and sustainable development themes.

JOYTOPIA is a giant leap in the digital world, allowing BMW to take brand communication to a new level. Its ideas about electric transportation and sustainable development also reflect the possibility of urban interconnected travel. In addition, BMW also launched iFACTORY (smart factory), the automotive industry's first "industrial metaverse" application this year. This is the first time that BMW has presented its most advanced car manufacturing technology in the form of a 3D game, telling how a BMW car is born from scratch in the factory through an innovative and immersive digital experience.

BMW’s unique virtual world JOYTOPIA

Domestic car brands are planning to enter the Yuanverse

The rise of the concept of the metaverse has led to the attention of domestic car companies in this field. In the past two years, Chinese car companies have begun to make relevant arrangements and register trademarks. For example, in January 2022, Nezha Automobile added the trademark "Nezha Metaverse"; at the end of 2021, BYD and FAW Group both registered trademarks related to "Metaverse".

With the support of digital technology, Metaverse provides scenarios for the birth of new communities. Users will maintain communication and optimize travel through this platform. In August 2021, Zhiji Auto’s “User Data Rights Plan” was named “Original Stone Valley” and was officially launched on the “IM Zhiji” App. According to the official introduction, users can explore the wilderness, exchange experiences, upgrade equipment, and evolve vehicles here. On January 1, 2022, Changan Automobile welcomed its first digital employee "Gong" to join the company. As the first digital employee in China's automobile industry, the arrival of the virtual character "Gong" living in the Yuanverse represents the technological innovation and development node of Chinese brand automobiles, and indicates that Changan Automobile will bring users a better interactive experience.

Zhiji Automobile "Original Stone Valley"

Metaverse empowers the future vision of mobility

As a global platform, the German International Automobile and Smart Mobility Expo is also actively discussing this topic in the Vision Club. A brand new market is gradually forming in the three-dimensional digital world. It is expected that by 2024, the Metaverse will reach a market size of US$800 billion - and all of this, as far as the current reality is concerned, the Metaverse is still in its infancy. In the future digital world, people will be immersed in various activities through virtual digital avatars and using technologies such as virtual reality, artificial intelligence or the Internet of Things.

As the momentum of the Metaverse gradually stabilizes, automobile manufacturers' attitudes towards the Metaverse are gradually changing to deepening the concept and taking practical actions. There is no doubt that in the future industry, the Metaverse is a very important track. The experiential Yuanverse exhibits can not only fully demonstrate the brand's own value, but also allow the audience to personally experience the charm of technology on the vehicle, jointly promoting the early realization of connected travel.

We look forward to more Chinese car companies participating in the 2023 German International Automobile and Smart Mobility Expo, showing the world the new results of the combination of car manufacturers and the Metaverse, and satisfying human beings' desire for unlimited free movement.

About Germany (Munich) International Automobile and Smart Mobility Expo

The German (Munich) International Automobile and Smart Mobility Expo IAA MOBILITY was formerly the German International Auto Show "IAA". Because it was held in Frankfurt for a long time, it is also called the Frankfurt Motor Show in the industry.

Founded in 1897, IAA is not only one of the five major auto shows in the world, but also one of the largest international auto shows in Europe, playing a key role in the development of the global automobile industry. As human travel patterns change, IAA follows the cutting-edge trends and transforms from an auto show to a 360° mobile travel platform. After being held in Frankfurt, Germany for 70 years, the exhibition will debut for the first time in Munich, the capital of Bavaria, Germany, under the new name "IAA MOBILITY" from September 7 to 12, 2021.

IAA MOBILITY is held every two years, usually in September. The organizer of the expo is the German Automobile Industry Association. The 2023 IAA MOBILITY will be held in Munich from September 5th to 10th. It is dedicated to the transformation of mobility towards climate neutrality. We look forward to your arrival!