The Dubai metaverse is big business. In the not-too-distant future it is where – if analysts, investors and forward thinkers are to be believed – we will work, play, shop and even take holidays.
We will buy clothes there, invest our finances and even own property in the virtual worlds created within the metaverse.
In fact, the Dubai metaverse economy will be worth some $4bn a year by 2030.
Dubai metaverse: Businesses rush to make announcements
When the Dubai Metaverse Strategy was launched in May it was with confident predictions the sector would support 42,000 virtual jobs.
Headed by the Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the strategy is built around key pillars – innovation, government implementation of metaverse technologies and talent development.
Click here to find out everything you need to know about Sheikh Hamdan’s strategy.
In the past month there has been a surge in UAE businesses revealing their plans to join the Dubai metaverse. Touring holiday hotspots, holding a business meeting with a Government entity, making an investment, having an eye test or just virtually walking around.
Check out some of the virtual environments coming to the Dubai metaverse soon.
Burj Khalifa in the metaverse
The tallest building in the world is now in the metaverse. A detailed digital twin of the Burj Khalifa is available on the metaverse, designed to give users the full experience. Individuals can move around the building and experience 360-degree views of Dubai.
Launched by Eventcombo, the experience does not require headsets, gloves or any other VR hardware. It is accessible with a regular device and a keyboard.
The demonstration video shows virtual avatars, walking around different areas of the building, individuals can also go up the elevators and walk around the corridors before entering the viewing deck, offering replicated views of the city.
DEWA in the metaverse
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has launched “DEWAVerse”, a platform on the metaverse as part of its efforts to extend its services to customers, employees and society.
The move, has made DEWA the first government entity to launch in the metaverse,
The Dewaverse will allow users to visit a customer service centre, communicate with DEWA agents to answer queries and complete transactions in virtual reality. A virtual DEWA workplace, which will allow users to hold meetings and move around DEWA buildings is also being developed.
Commercial Bank International in the Dubai metaverse
Dubai-based Commercial Bank International (CBI) is now in the metaverse. The bank announced the launch of its metaverse location, making it the first UAE bank to have presence in the metaverse.
CBI’s virtual location can be accessed by visitors via Decentraland at cbi.dcl.eth or (63, -127) using the Decentraland map coordinates. The bank’s virtual location can also be accessed through portals, the bank said.
“We are proud to be the first ever bank in the UAE and among the first in the Middle East to bring the metaverse experience to our customers and people,” CBI chief executive officer Ali Sultan Rakkad Al Amri said.
Dubai Airport Freezone in the metaverse
The initiative aims to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) and businesses to the free zone, by uncovering DAFZ’s unique offerings, products, and solutions to advance the Emirate’s leading position as a hub for competitive and constructive technology.
METADAFZ will enable clients from across the globe to conduct meetings via a virtual platform, offering a unique and semi-realistic experience regardless of the physical location.
Yas Island in the metaverse
It is only a short drive across the UAE from Dubai, but soon people in any part of the world will be able to experience the wonders and joys of Yas Island destinations without having to travel to the UAE capital.
They will be able to explore the many offerings at the island on leading metaverse platforms after a coalition of key Abu Dhabi entities came together to take Yas Island into the metaverse.
The virtual experiences conceptualised by these businesses will enable users to gather, socialise, play, create, and transact. From building and purchasing digital homes, to discovering cultural attractions, to enjoying theme park adventures, special events, premier golf courses, and a world-class motorsport racing circuit, individuals will be able to experience all that Yas Island has to offer in a digital-first journey. Customisable avatars and surprise rewards will be part of every user’s personalised adventure.
e& in the Dubai metaverse
e&,the company formerly known as Etisalat Group is entering the Dubai metaverse in a major way. The country’s leading telecom provider, whose 5G network is going to play a key role in the UAE’s journey to becoming a force in the virtual world, is looking at the development as a significant achievement in the group’s transformation journey to a global technology and investment conglomerate.
Based on the limitless possibilities that are available in metaverse adoption and in line with its commitment to digitally empower societies, e& is taking a significant step forward into the technology by announcing the launch of e& universe, hosted virtually in Arcadia Planitia on Mars.
The Metaverse Service, in collaboration with HTC VIVE, is a platform designed to maximise user experience through multiple virtual spaces and avatars. Etisalat by e&’s business centre showcase is in collaboration with Huawei, where e& is demonstrating the future of retail using a 3D retail experience in an innovative way.
Fashion in the Dubai metaverse
The metaverse sector in the UAE is gearing for a flashy, red carpet makeover, with digital fashion startups such as The Rebels making inroads into the virtual fashion street, exploring new age luxury collections of wearables.
Investors also seem to be cheering up fashion ventures foraying into the metaverse sector, with Silicon Valley-based venture capital a16z – or Andreessen Horowitz – readying a billion dollar fund to support blockchain ventures, while Nike lapping up virtual collectibles venture RTFKT.
The buzz about the virtual fashion brands in the UAE is growing amid predictions about metaverse fashion to become a $55 billion industry globally by 2030.
Eye tests in the Dubai metaverse
Dubai-based healthtech startup ShopDoc is partnering with the US-based CLEAR, a digital eye-care company founded by former NASA optical physicist Brandon Zimmerman, to launch eyeglasses prescription tests in the metaverse.
The metaverse digital eye test project will be rolled out in the UAE and Indian markets in the initial phase, with plans to expand it to other regional markets later.
The project involves using advanced optical modelling and frontier mathematics to enable an accurate calculation and simulation of customers’ optical prescription and 20/20 visual performance.
RTA in the metaverse
With the use of augmented reality technology, RTA will also enter the Dubai metaverse field, using digital twins to demonstrate Dubai Metro’s rail network.
The digital twin platform combines historical maintenance data from the past 12 years of Dubai Metro service with real-time data collected by external data-collection devices to reveal minute details and other critical situations that affect asset lifecycles.
Using historical and real-time data, the platform offers recommendations for improving the asset life cycle, such as changing periodic maintenance schedules and other approved procedures, as well as machine learning and system development to predict possible failures in the future.
UAE Ministry of Economy in the metaverse
The UAE Ministry of Economy is set to launch a third address – in the metaverse.
“We have one physical location in Dubai, one in Abu Dhabi and we are setting up the third in the metaverse,” Emirati minister Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri said during a panel discussion at the Dubai Metaverse Assembly last month.
The new metaverse location has an auditorium, and can hold meetings, contract signings and more, the minister added. Al Marri explained the new service centre will be an immersive environment where people can walk around, make collections, interact with others, and avail services just as they could in physical locations.
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