从中国企业视角看元宇宙发展

EY永

Building a better working world

要点概述 02
1 元宇宙是什么？或者只是噱头？ 06
2 中国工业元宇宙和企业元宇宙的发展现状 09
3 元宇宙与中国产业数字化 15
4 中国工业元宇宙和企业元宇宙用例 19
5 元宇宙部署的关键推动因素和合作伙伴 35
6 元宇宙的风险和挑战 44
7 进一步探索工业和企业元宇宙 47
附录 48
尾注 49
作者 49

要点概述

消费者元宇宙带来更多文化和道德挑战；与此不同的是，企业元宇宙和工业元宇宙则聚焦于特定行业，蕴藏着巨大的发展潜力。中国是近来高度重视工业元宇宙的市场之一，这主要得益于政府自上而下的广泛政策支持。在此背景下，本研究旨在深入探究中国市场的差异，特别是各行业对企业元宇宙和工业元宇宙的看法。

根据在线调查，本研究揭示了四个行业和三类企业对企业元宇宙和工业元宇宙的采用现状和用例期望。该报告还以去年发布的全球研究报告为基准，比较了中国元宇宙产业与全球市场的发展。

研究显示，随着全国主要经济区都在如火如荼地开展工业元宇宙活动，中国企业领导者非常看好元宇宙的发展前景。各企业正积极地在多个领域探索机遇，并特别关注生产和交付以及设计和测试。在四个已试用元宇宙用例的领域中，企业对服务和维护方面的变革潜力尤为乐观，这表明他们强烈希望提升售后服务质量。

中国在5G网络方面的领先进展提高了企业对5G连接（尤其是5G专网）的重视程度。这些网络、云计算和人工智能（AI）机器学习等其他基础技术，被视为工业元宇宙和企业元宇宙用例的关键支持技术。然而，无论经验水平如何，企业仍面临重重挑战，正如全球市场所感知到的那样，主要是技术方面的挑战，包括基础设施差距和专业知识匮乏。由于目前设备投资规模仍然较小，因此元宇宙设备也限制了规模化部署。

随着越来越多的企业开始认识到企业元宇宙和工业元宇宙应用的潜力，预计中国将有更多企业采用这一技术，以充分利用其公认的优势，例如提高流程效率和增强服务能力。就此而言，与合适的业务伙伴合作有助于应对扩展用例部署所带来的复杂性，而且对于即将开启元宇宙之旅的企业来说也至关重要。

主要调查结果:

中国企业在元宇宙中看到了更多潜力一一对于元宇宙能否引发互联网变革，51%的已试用该技术的中国企业持更乐观的态度，超过了全球水平。

在亚太地区，中国引领工业元宇宙和企业元宇宙部59%的计划涉足工业元宇宙和企业元宇宙的中国企业已通过至少一个试点项目完成了部署；在日本和韩国，这一比例均为49%。

随着对用例部署中的新型设备的兴趣日益浓厚，虚拟现实/增强现实（VR/AR）头显成为企业关注的焦点-95%的企业在部署中使用了VR/AR头显，约三分之一的中国企业使用全息图和高级触感设备来体验工业元宇宙和企业元宇宙。

虽然中国受访者认识到了当今市场中用例的潜力，但对于这些工业用例所带来的最大变革价值，他们与全球市场有着不同的看法一一他们认为自动/遥控维护机器人技术在工业用例中具有最大的潜在影响。

用例部署依赖于一系列因素，不仅限于预期影响因素，技术成熟度、用例复杂性、合作伙伴和基础设施准备情况等都会影响部署。目前在中国，虚拟设施规划、跟踪和优化的实施率最高。

工业元宇宙和企业元宇宙的发展超出了预期一已部署用例的企业所报告的效益通常高于仍处于规划阶段的企业的预期。在中国，企业所获得的最主要效益是服务能力提升而非成本优化，具备经验的企业表示，服务/客户体验（CX）能力增强了14个百分点。

大量支持技术对于工业元宇宙和企业元宇宙的实施都至关重要，但中国更强调连接 -中国企业，特别是已部署用例的企业，比全球同行更了解5G技术的重要性。

许多企业在达到采用企业元宇宙和工业元宇宙所需的不同支持技术水平方面仍然存在能力差距，这种能力差距在中国企业的光纤宽带基础设施和云计算方面最为明显。

对于引领元宇宙发展的企业和部署用例所需的合作伙伴，观点并不总是一致一一这与全球市场的情况类似，网络基础设施提供商和人工智能（AI）/机器学习（ML）提供商并非推动元宇宙发展的主要参与者，但在中国却是用例部署的重要合作伙伴。

中国企业在迈入工业元宇宙和企业元宇宙时面临着一系列风险和挑战，这与全球情况非常相似一一网络安全和数据隐私仍是主要问题，而专业知识匮乏和技术问题则是企业面临的最大障碍。

关于本研究

《从中国企业视角看元宇宙发展》是一份针对中国市场，以2023年发布的同名全球研究报告为基础的延伸报告。该报告基于安永团队与上海诺基亚贝尔协作开展的一项在线调查，调查对象为来自国有企业、跨国企业和私营企业等不同类型的200名中国企业领导者，涉及四个关键行业：汽车、工业品与制造、交通运输及供应链和物流，以及电力和公用事业。该研究于2023年12月进行。来自汽车企业的受访者如果属于运营和生产职能部门，则被视为来自工业品与制造业，因为二者在制造方面存在相似之处，而来自汽车行业所有其他职能部门的受访者则被视为来自汽车行业。

该调查旨在了解企业在采用企业元宇宙和工业元宇宙用例方面的当前成熟度和中期目标。我们的调查结果评估了与元宇宙用例部署相关的关键驱动因素、优势、挑战和风险，以及推动价值实现所需的支持技术和合作伙伴关系。

我们的调查对象是拥有中等到极高主题领域知识水平且计划发展元宇宙能力（无论计划部署时间长短）的领导者（总监、副总裁或高管）。不符合这些标准的个人未列入研究范围。

从中国企业视角看元宇宙发展5

1 元宇？是什么？或者只是

近年来，元宇宙在中国火爆出圈，引发了个人、企业和政策制定者的密切关注。从虚拟游戏和娱乐到工业应用和虚拟商务，元宇宙激发了中国社会的无限想象力，促进人们对这一不断发展的数字领域产生兴趣并深入探索。

得益于中国对数字化转型的高度关注，中国元宇宙产业的发展与世界其他地区有所不同。中国正在积极拥抱和投资元宇宙，并致力于引领这一新兴领域的发展。在"十四五"规划期间，中国对元宇宙产业的重视程度显著提高，出台了一系列相关政策文件和指导意见。地方政府也公布了建立元宇宙产业的战略并实施了行动计划。这些国家和地方层面的共同努力表明，中国致力于抓住元宇宙带来的机遇并推动其发展。

中国元宇宙市场即将迎来转型期，它具有巨大的潜力，可彻底改变人们与数字平台的交互方式。企业和企业家若能把握这些趋势，应对不断变化的环境，便可在塑造未来元宇宙中处于领先地位。要想在这个充满活力的市场中取得持续成功，必须适应不断变化的法规并解决道德问题。

59%

的具有未来元宇宙计划的中国企业已开启元宇宙之旅，并在企业内部署或试用了至少一个元宇宙用例。

消费者元宇宙

消费者元宇宙以计算机生成环境为中心，在这种环境中，用户可通过纯数字方式或数字增强型方式进行互动、购物和畅玩，仿若置身于现实世界中。

企业元宇宙

对更出色的数字协作和通信工具(包括支持业务运营和下一代虚拟连接的核心办公应用）的需求推动了企业元宇宙的发展。

工业元宇宙

工业元宇宙是一种面向工业应用的物理-数字世界融合和人类机能增强技术，包括物理工业环境、系统、流程资产和空间的数字表示，可供参与者进行控制、监控和交互。

本报告的重点

试用过这项技术的企业高管对元宇宙的前景充满信心。

在迎接元宇宙的大环境下，中国企业领导者对元宇宙怀揣着积极美好的愿景，清晰地认识到了这项技术所能带来的无限可能和巨大优势。

图1.1：不同经验的企业对元宇宙的看法

图1.2：各个行业对元宇宙的看法

86%的中国企业高管认为元宇宙包罗万象或是数字化的下一阶段。虽然多数观点与全球看法一致，但已实施或试用工业元宇宙或企业元宇宙用例的中国企业（51%）比全球同行更加乐观。他们坚信，元宇宙有望彻底改变整个互联网，它不仅是一种数字化进步，而且还是一项革命性技术。总体而言，高达94%的受访者认为元宇宙的价值不仅限于在社交和游戏方面的应用。这可能表明中国早期成功部署的工业用例促使企业越来越看好元宇宙的潜力[图1.1]。

在刚刚接触元宇宙、尚未积累实践经验的中国企业中，约有一半的企业预计元宇宙将推动数字化变革。但超过20%的受访者仍主要将其视为游戏和社交网络的延伸。随着未来越来越多的企业获得元宇宙实践经验，这种对立观点很可能会发生变化。

此外，行业之间存在认知差异。交通运输、供应链和物流业对元宇宙作为一种综合技术持最乐观的态度（55%）。这与我们对工业用例的调查结果相吻合，即交通运输业受访者预计这些用例将对其未来业务产生最大的影响。而工业品和制造业中认为元宇宙包罗万象或是数字化的下一阶段的占比最高[图1.2]。

元宇宙为各行各业带来了可观的发展前景，提供了覆盖企业价值链不同阶段（包括设计、生产和交付流程）的广泛用例。随着企业不断探索实际应用，他们将有机会在这些领域以消费者元宇宙中前所未见的方式创造持续价值。

2 中国工业元宇宙和企业元宇宙的发展现状

过去几年中，越来越多的元宇宙应用迅速出现在不同行业，整合了VR/AR、数字孪生及其他沉浸式技术。中国先进而完善的基础设施推动了工业元宇宙应用的迅猛发展。随着5G网络的广泛部署和最近5.5G的推出，以及强大的云数据中心的普及和大数据能力的增强，中国在提供工业元宇宙所需的强大计算能力和实时沉浸式体验方面拥有显著优势。

然而，尽管未来潜力不可估量，但中国工业元宇宙和企业元宇宙仍处于早期发展阶段。工业环境才刚刚开始采用和实施元宇宙技术。随着各行各业逐渐认识到元宇宙在优化运营、提高生产力和推动创新方面的变革潜力，我们将迎来进一步探索和拓展的巨大机遇。

在亚太地区，中国元宇宙采用率处于领先地位，其中工业部门走在前列

我们的调查显示，在有兴趣或考虑采用元宇宙的中国企业中，59%的企业已在试用或部署工业或企业用例，略高于58%的全球平均水平。在全球范围内，工业元宇宙仍处于其成熟周期的第一阶段。如今，美国在元宇宙采用率上略微领先，这得益于美国在元宇宙技术方面起步较早，该技术基于强大的技术生态系统，并侧重于创新。虽然中国稍微落后，但有力的扶持政策和完整产业链的形成将在未来几年推动中国成为增速最快的国家之一。从地区来看，中国在亚太地区已经走在前列，元宇宙采用率超过了日本和韩国（均为49%）[图2.1]。从行业来看，在所有四个已试用元宇宙用例的行业中，工业品与制造业在用例部署和试用方面处于领先地位（65%）。这一结果在意料之内，因为工业元宇宙预期对制造业产生最大影响。

图2.1：主要地区当前的元宇宙实践经验
图2.2：非元宇宙用户的计划部署时间

对于41%的尚未进入试点或部署阶段的受访者来说，元宇宙仍是一个别具吸引力的概念。在这些缺乏经验的受访者中，89%表示打算在未来两年内利用元宇宙技术启动试点项目或实施用例[图2.2]。

中国各经济区域的工业元宇宙部署日渐兴起，彰显了强大的区域领导力和私营部门的敏捷性

在中国的主要经济区域，中国企业采用B2B元宇宙技术的程度各不相同。值得注意的是，首都圈的京津冀产业集群在元宇宙实施方面走在前列，多达65%的企业已在试用或部署元宇宙用例（与美国的水平相当）[图2.3]。这表明该区域正积极拥抱变革性技术来推动创新和提高效率。

紧随其后的是长江三角洲和长江中游地区，这两个城市群位于中国中部（分别为63%和60%）。紧接着是位于中国南部的粤港澳大湾区，其采用率略低于前两位。这些经济区代表了中国规模最大、最具影响力的地区。它们拥有坚实的工业和制造业基础，各有发展重点。这些地区对利用元宇宙的强烈兴趣与其重视创新和技术进步是分不开的。

中国商业格局由多种实体组成，包括国有企业（SOE）、跨国企业（MNC）和私营企业。值得注意的是，这些企业在元宇宙经验方面存在明显差异。私营企业和跨国企业表现亮眼，比国有企业高出10个百分点。这一差异充分说明私营企业和跨国企业在引入新型元宇宙应用和更快地采用新兴技术方面具有敏捷性和适应性[图2.4]。

图2.4：按企业类型划分的目前具有元宇宙实践经验的企业
图2.3：主要地区当前的元宇宙实践经验

图2.5：非元宇宙用户的国有企业的计划部署时间

值得注意的是，国有企业并非元宇宙领域中的被动观察者。尽管当前部署或试点项目滞后，但93%的国有企业表示打算在未来两年内使用相关技术[图2.5]。

虽然中国不同行业和类型的企业采用该技术的速度各不相同，但他们对通过有计划的部署来试用该技术颇感兴趣。尽管新手可能需要进行学习，但他们可以从已经获得实实在在好处的早期采用者的成功案例中汲取宝贵经验。这些先行者为正在规划未来元宇宙工作的企业树立了典范。

设备使用和投资

与其他新兴技术一样，最终用户设备在元宇宙普及中发挥着关键作用。作为元宇宙生态系统的人机接口层，这些设备为人们进入这个数字领域打开了大门。目前，该领域的主要产品包括VR/AR头显、智能眼镜等可穿戴设备、触感设备、微型生物传感器和神经接口。

在中国，元宇宙领域硬件的发展从VR/AR硬件初创企业的专利申请、收购和风险投资等活动日益增加中可见一斑。中国拥有一个强健的元宇宙价值链，包括国内外科技企业。这些企业正大力投资开发创新设备和软件，打造蓬勃发展的设备市场，这将塑造中国元宇宙产业的未来。

图2.6：实施元宇宙试点或部署项目的企业所采用的元宇宙设备类型

图2.7：按行业划分的所用元宇宙设备类型的比例

企业对各种元宇宙设备的兴趣与日俱增：VR/AR头显备受瞩目

中国市场的元宇宙设备种类繁多，尤其注重经济性和可获得性。因此，企业可以根据不同的预算和运营要求，选择不同的设备。中国企业对VR/AR头显、智能眼镜、全息图和高级触感设备的兴趣日渐浓厚。我们的研究表明，VR/AR头显是主流之选，绝大多数已部署或试用元宇宙用例的企业（95%）都使用了这种设备。此外，超过一半的企业(56%）利用外形小巧的智能眼镜，通过虚拟内容增强用户的现实世界视图。这些设备目前在市场上最容易获得，并集成了多种可用于访问共享虚拟空间的应用。此外，约有三分之一的企业正在探索新型设备，包括全息影像(33%）和高级触感设备（27%），以增强元宇宙并提升用户体验[图2.6]。

在跨行业研究中，电力和公用事业企业在设备采用方面独具一格。他们不太倾向于使用VR/AR头显来获取全沉浸式虚拟体验，而是对在元宇宙用例部署中发挥全息图的潜力表现出更大的兴趣（54%）[图2.7]。这主要是因为他们认识到发电厂、变电站或配电网络的全息再现能够为复杂系统的可视化提供极大的帮助。工程师可以利用这种可视化技术来分析数据、模拟场景和优化基础设施设计，从而提高运营效率，并辅助决策。

与小型企业相比，大型企业往往会采购更多设备来实施元宇宙部署或试点项目。这与其运营和资源规模相符。目前，国有企业和跨国企业报告的设备采购量相当，平均每家企业采购20.7台设备。相比之下，私营企业倾向于使用更少的设备来试用元宇宙，其中70%的企业为其元宇宙计划采购了不到5台设备[图2.8]。

在各行各业中，工业品和制造业的设备采购规模最大。近40%的企业为其部署购置了超过30台元宇宙设备。交通运输、供应链和物流企业的情况正好相反，61%的受访者在其部署中使用了不到5台元宇宙设备[图2.9]。

图2.8：按企业类型划分的元宇宙设备采购量

图2.9：按行业划分的元宇宙设备采购量小于5台或大于30台的企业

保守的投资说明了企业在元宇宙设备采购方面的谨慎态度

尽管企业对工业元宇宙的兴趣与日俱增，但元宇宙设备在中国企业的ICT（信息与通信技术）预算中所占比例仍相对较小。事实上，超过一半的中国企业只将不到1%的ICT投资专门用于元宇宙领域的设备采购[图2.10]。这一趋势在国有企业（70%）中更为明显。相比之下，在我们的调查中，仅1%的企业（均为私营企业）将超过10%的ICT预算专门用于购买元宇宙设备。这凸显了这些私营企业在迅速响应新兴技术并相应调整投资战略方面的敏捷性[图2.11]。

最终用户设备在促进元宇宙普及方面发挥着关键作用。虽然中国元宇宙在硬件方面取得了重大进展，但与ICT预算相比，工业元宇宙的设备采购总量仍然不大，这凸显了企业在为这一新兴技术分配资源时的谨慎态度。随着工业元宇宙和企业元宇宙的不断发展，预计设备采用量和投资额也会增长，助力推动中国乃至全球元宇宙产业未来发展。

图2.10：元宇审设备投资占ICT总预算的比重

图2.11：按企业类型划分的元宇审设备投资占ICT总预算的比重

3 元宇宙与中国行业数字化

行业数字化已成为中国产业发展的当务之急，是传统产业转型升级的重要手段。“十四五"规划提出要大力推进行业数字化转型，这对产业结构升级和创新能力提升起到了推动作用。随着中国经济和社会发展越来越注重高质量增长，行业数字化也面临着新的需求和要求。

拥抱元宇宙，实现行业数字化

元宇宙为沉浸式体验、协作工作空间和创新商业模式提供了一个动态平台，可将物理和数字领域无缝融合，在进一步推动中国行业数字化进程方面具有巨大潜力。通过将元宇宙纳入数字化议程中，中国旨在为经济增长、技术进步和社会发展开辟新途径。

的中国受访者一致认为，元宇宙带来了更多创新能力，支持通过混用物理和虚拟用例，加速行业数字化项目的部署、采用和创收。

中国工业元宇宙的发展得到了国家层面的大力支持。工信部(MIIT）于2022年10月发布了一项三年计划，将工业元宇宙视为国家数字经济发展战略的重要组成部分1。此外，工信部还发布了一项五年行动计划（2022-2026年），旨在将虚拟现实技术融入行业应用中²。在这些举措的基础上，工信部和其他四个监管机构于2023年9月联合发布了一份新蓝图，概述了未来两年内多个行业的工业元宇宙发展计划。图3.1概述了与元宇宙相关的最新政策的目标。

从中国企业视角看元宇宙发展

图3.1：中国对工业化相关元宇宙产业的政策承诺

政策名称	颁布时间	颁发主体	主要内容及目标
《元宇宙产业创新发展	2023/9	工信部等	到2025年，培育3-5家有全球影响力的生态企业和一批专业化中小企业，围绕人工智能、区块链和虚拟现实等新兴技术，打造3-5个产业发展集群。该计划涵盖制造业、汽车行业、航空航天业和家电业，旨在创造下一代互联网技术，加速制造业高端化和绿色化升级。
三年行动计划（2023-2025年）》		5部门



《虚拟现实与行业应	2022/11	工信部等	设定了到2026年中国虚拟现实产业总体规模超过3500亿元人民币，虚拟现实终端销量超过2500万台的目标。到2026年，该计划将培育100家在虚拟现实行业具有较强创新能力的骨干企业，建成10个产业公共服务平台。
用融合发展行动计划(2022-2026年）》		5部门


《工业元宇宙创新发展三年行动计划（2022-2025年）》	2022/10	工信部	到2025年，实现3个100目标：形成100个可复制的典型案例，为应用推广提供标准模板；打造100个工业元宇宙标杆应用，提供元宇宙在工业领域的高水准落地示范；建设100个赋能创新中心，并推动建设一批"工业元宇宙+垂直行业"的工业元宇宙开放平台。




《"十四五"数字经济发展规划》	2022/01	国务院	到2025年，中国数字经济迈向全面扩展期，数字经济核心产业增加值占GDP比重达到10%，数字技术与实体经济融合取得显著成效。为加快企业数字化转型升级，支持有条件的大型企业打造一体化数字平台。



《"十四五"信息化和工业化深度融合发展规划》	2021/11	目标是到2025年，数字化研发设计工具普及率达85%，关键工序数控化率达68%，工业互联网平台普及率达45%。全国两化融合发展指数是衡量工业部门和信息技术融合的重要晴雨表，到2025年应达到105，相较于2020年提高约20。

资料来源：工信部，《中国日报》

中国在挖掘工业元宇宙潜力方面做出了巨大努力，体现了其推动行业数字化、提高生产力和促进各行各业技术进步的坚定决心。政府近期推动全国万家企业开展5G全连接工厂建设4，此举势必会催生新型工业互联网基础设施，从而推动行业数字化和企业智能化转型。这些智能工厂将形成生产单元广泛连接、IT和OT深度融合，从而推动工业元宇宙应用的落地。

工业元宇宙是行业数字化和智能化发展的新阶段，拥有先进工业互联网连接技术的企业比预想中更愿意采用元宇宙。

通过在数字化转型中利用元宇宙，企业可获得一系列优势，包括优化生产流程，减少停机时间和提高整体效率。元宇宙支持通过提供沉浸式体验改善员工培训，并促进虚拟协作，打破地域障碍。此外，3D、虚拟现实和增强现实技术的融合拓展了设计和工程任务的无限可能性，可帮助企业提高混合办公人员的工作效率。在行业数字化时代，元宇宙将在助力企业繁荣发展方面发挥越来越重要的作用。

4 企业元宇宙用例中国工业元宇宙和

多个领域和许多行业的企业都在探索工业元宇宙发展机遇。目前，在智慧城市、智能交通、智能制造、智能楼宇、智能汽车、智慧能源等领域，有关工业元宇宙部署的报道屡见不鲜，其中很多是由中国企业与海外企业合作完成。

我们向受访者询问了目前市场上一系列关键企业元宇宙和工业元宇宙用例的预期业务影响和实际部署活动。

如何定义工业元宇宙和企业元宇宙用例？

在当今最常见的工业元宇宙和企业元宇宙应用中，一些是使用数字孪生和扩展现实 (XR)头显等元宇宙支持技术实现的新型解决方案，另一些则是问世数十年的技术的增强版本。不过，所有用例都具有以下几个共同特点：

·用例要么是纯虚拟，要么兼具虚拟和物理元素。

·用例增强了传统软件和解决方案的可视化与情境化。

·用例被定义为元宇宙技术的场景或应用，而非技术本身（例如数字孪生）。

尽管元宇宙的全部潜力对人类来说可能仍是未知数，但工业和企业用例[如图4.1]正被广泛部署到整个价值链，通过提供可视化、数据互操作性和数实融合来改进现有业务流程。

图4.1：与业务价值链中的关键领域相对应的元宇宙用例

用例定义请见附录。

各个行业中的主要用例

中国的各行各业都有不同的主要用例，相信这些用例能够根据企业当前运营情况带来变革性价值，助力他们在全球市场中脱颖而出。在四个已试用元宇宙用例的行业中，交通运输业的受访者对工业元宇宙用例能否推动其业务变革持最乐观的态度。中国电子商务是近年来蓬勃发展的子行业之一，各企业正积极采用数字化和先进技术来优化物流和供应链运营。激烈的行业竞争促使行业参与者不断寻求创新技术，以推动未来增长。此外，中国已成为自动驾驶汽车技术领域的全球领导者，业内参与者积极开展研发并在公路上进行大规模测试。在这些领域，元宇宙通过各种用例为促进创新提供了前所未有的机遇，特别是自动驾驶汽车和配送机器人等用例。

在全球市场中，汽车行业受访者对元宇宙用例的价值更为乐观。这可能是因为汽车企业越来越重视加强产品设计，以应对日益激烈的市场竞争。

就用例领域而言，服务和维修是中国各行业高度重视的个重要领域，其中自动/遥控现场维护机器人备受关注，在所有行业中一直位居前四大工业用例之列。事实上，就潜在的变革性影响而言，该用例在汽车行业中排名最高，可帮助技术人员检查和维修偏远或难以触及的设备。现场XR是该领域的另一个用例，对电力和公用事业企业别具吸引力。通过该用例，现场技术人员可在处理危险的互联电网基础设施时，获得增强的远程协助。

相比之下，全球市场有着截然不同的调查结果，各行业受访者最看重虚拟研发、原型设计和测试一一该用例属于设计和测试领域。这表明了中国受访者更关注为产品提供优质的售后服务和维护。与之相比，世界其他地区的受访者则侧重于通过设计和测试用例来提供更复杂的产品。

图4.2:各行业受访者预计未来将对其企业运营方式产生最大影响的用例

有关报告中每种用例的详细定义，请参见附录[第48页]

变革性价值并不总是体现在部署上

这些用例的规划和部署程度并非总与其预期影响相一致，可能因各种因素而异，包括支持技术的成熟度、用例复杂性和规模，以及充分挖掘技术价值所需的合作伙伴和技术基础设施。但显而易见的是，各行各业的受访者都认识到了元宇宙可对其整个企业产生巨大影响。下文将详细介绍这些用例的部署情况和优势。

培训与入职引导

中国企业正利用强大的元宇宙打造创新型培训和入职引导解决方案。该沉浸式技术提供了一个动态的学习平台，支持各行各业的企业培养硬技能和软技能。

这项研究的受访者认识到，元宇宙有望彻底改变传统培训方法，为员工提供更具吸引力、更有效的学习体验。随着中国继续引领技术进步，将元宇宙应用融入企业培训和入职引导表明中国致力于走在数字领域前沿。

XR实践培训[工业]

XR技术通过创建沉浸式模拟场景来改善企业培训和入职引导，可让员工在虚拟环境中获得实用技能、参与真实场景互动并无缝展开协作。

在我们的研究中，与其他行业相比，交通运输业受访者对这种用例的部署率最高（24%）。借助沉浸式模拟场景，该用例可为交通运输业的人员培训（从车辆维护到应急响应）提供极大帮助。这能够增强安全规程，确保工作人员针对动态多变的高风险环境做好准备。在工业品和电力及公用事业行业中，尽管目前的部署率较低，但其受访者表现出了积极的部署意愿，并计划提高部署率（分别为35%和33%）。相比之下，中国汽车企业对部署该用例的兴趣不大，这与全球高涨的部署热情形成鲜明对比（30%计划部署该用例，12%已部署该用例）。

图4.3：按行业划分的XR实践培训的部署率

拥有相关经验的中国企业认为，提高可持续性、缩短上市时间和提高流程效率是这一用例的主要收益。对他们来说，XR实践培训计划减少了对物料和差旅的需求，有助于实现可持续发展。加快的学习流程还能缩短产品或服务上市时间，同时通过模拟真实场景，员工能够练习和完善技能，从而优化流程效率。这些提到的优势明显不同于全球市场调查结果一一在全球市场中，资本支出削减和安全性改善这两大优势排在前两位。这种差异可能源于特定的行业关注点、监管考虑因素以及中国市场独特的社会经济环境。

图4.4:目前使用XR实践培训的企业报告的主要收益

XR入职引导和软技能培训[企业]

中国企业正采用XR技术来开展基于元宇宙的入职引导和软技能培训，从而改变了各行业的传统学习方式。这种创新方法能够为员工提供逼真的沉浸式虚拟场景，便于他们积极参与练习并提高沟通、团队合作和领导力等基本技能。

在所有行业中，汽车行业受访者对这种企业用例的部署率最高（25%）。在向竞争激烈的电动汽车时代快速过渡的过程中，该行业需要员工大幅提升技能水平。与此同时，在劳动密集型交通运输业的受访者中，计划于下一年部署这一用例的比例最高（43%），因为XR技术可帮助提高员工工作效率并将培训时间缩短长达40%5。

提高可持续性、增强服务/客户体验能力以及提升员工忠诚度和技能水平被认为是该用例的三大收益。XR技术不仅能够最大限度地减少对大量差旅和实物资源的需求，推动可持续发展，而且还提供虚拟助手，可为客户提供全程指导，从而增强整体客户体验。此外，使用逼真模拟还有助于创造更具吸引力的学习体验，从而提高员工满意度和忠诚度。已部署该企业用例的全球受访者也表示取得了类似的成效。

图4.5：按行业划分的XR入职引导和软技能培训的部署率

图4.6：目前使用XR入职引导和软技能培训的企业报告的主要收益

虚拟研发、原型设计和测试[工业]

工程和设计团队正在积极探索创新技术，以缩短迭代周期，更快速地获取客户反馈，并在敏捷环境中加速产品开发。对于这些团队来说，元宇宙是最近兴起的一项颠覆性技术，提供了一种更快速、更直观的原型设计方式。它通过提供动态虚拟环境来满足快速推进产品设计和测试的需求。

虚拟研发、原型设计和测试的部署率位居第二（在所有行业中占比12%），高于所有用例9%的平均部署率。这一结果与全球市场一致，该用例在后者所有测试的工业用例中排名最高。

汽车和交通运输企业在当前部署中处于领先地位（分别为25%和20%），远超工业品和制造企业以及电力和公用事业企业。这是因为最近中国电动汽车（EV）采用率激增，提高了对创新汽车设计方法的需求。通过该用例，工程师和设计师能够在数字空间中设计并完善车辆原型，从而采用更智能的互联方法进行敏捷实验。

图4.7：按行业划分的虚拟研发、原型设计和测试的部署率

值得注意的是在中国，该用例的计划部署率最低（在所有行业中占比23%），这与全球市场趋势形成了鲜明对比。造成这种差异的原因可能是，中国的汽车行业和交通运输业可能已经通过早期试点项目开始实施元宇宙计划，而其他行业的受访者或许尚未从此用例中察觉到同等的变革价值。

具备经验的企业表示流程效率是主要收益（67%），这与全球趋势相一致，因为该元宇宙用例能够增强设计和测试。此外，由于数字空间为原型设计提供了一个更开放的可持续环境，各企业还意识到该用例可帮助推动采用全新产品和商业模式并促进可持续发展（均为56%）。

图4.8：目前使用虚拟研发、原型设计和测试的企业报告的主要收益

XR增强型用户体验研究[工业]

扩展现实（XR）和用户界面/用户体验（UI/UX）预计将对塑造未来产生巨大影响。随着AR和VR技术的发展，XR为设计师提供了充足的时间来分析和完善用户界面/用户体验。

该用例目前的部署率（在所有行业中占比8%）低于所有工业用例的平均水平。在不同行业中，电力和公用事业企业在当前部署（12%）和计划部署（29%）方面均处于领先地位。此外，交通运输企业和工业品企业对在年内部署这一用例表现出一定的兴趣（分别为29%和25%）。尽管总体部署滞后，但这些行业对该用例的潜力仍持乐观态度。不过，汽车行业的受访者没有报告这一用例的部署情况和近期计划。

对于该用例所带来的收益，中国企业的看法与全球市场截然不同。在全球市场中，提高可持续性被视为首要收益。具备经验的中国企业表示，增强服务/客户体验能力和改善安全性是这一用例的两大优势（均为67%）：在生产前使用XR进行用户测试可防范AR应用在现实世界中带来的潜在安全风险。此外，在目前使用该技术的企业中，近一半的企业认为提高流程效率可让客户大获裨益。

图4.9：按行业划分的增强型用户体验研究的部署率

图4.10：目前使用XR增强型用户体验研究的企业报告的主要收益

虚拟办公室和工作空间[企业]

虚拟办公室这一概念已经提出了数十年，如今即将随着元宇宙的兴起而成为现实。通过创建沉浸式工作空间，这种模式能够让全球团队打破物理空间限制，开展无缝的无边界协作。

该用例的采用率低于所有企业用例的平均水平。这或许与虚拟办公室概念本身没有必然联系，可能与滞后的技术基础设施发展相关。但值得一提的是，在研究的三种企业用例中，该用例的计划部署率最高（在所有行业中占比27%）。电力和公用事业尤其表现出了积极乐观的态度和浓厚的兴趣，因此该用例在所有行业的当前部署（10%）和计划部署(50%）中均一马当先。

图4.11：按行业划分的虚拟办公室和工作空间的部署率

已部署虚拟办公室和工作空间的受访者已经从这一用例中获益良多，并表示提高可持续性、改善安全性和增强安全防护是该用例的主要收益。事实上，虚拟工作空间不仅便于员工居家办公（无需往返于实体办公室），可极大地促进低碳化，而且还提供了一个高度安全的工作环境，有助于增强人们对数据和通信使用的信心。此外，全球市场也从该用例中获得了类似的成效，并表示提高可持续性和改善安全性是该用例的主要收益。

图4.12：目前使用虚拟办公室和工作空间的企业报告的主要收益

虚拟设施优化[工业]

虚拟设施解决方案是物理设施的数字表示，允许远程访问、监控并管理关键基础设施和资产。利用数字孪生等支持技术和智能传感器，元宇宙可助力企业简化设施运维、优化资源配置并增强安全流程。

总体而言，在测试的所有工业用例中，该用例的部署率最高（在所有行业中占比17%），其计划部署率也高于平均水平（在所有行业中占比2%）。汽车行业对这一用例的需求尤为强烈，在所有工业用例中，该行业的部署率（33%）最高。事实上，其部署率和计划部署率（50%）几乎是其他行业的两倍。这一趋势与全球市场高度契合，表明汽车制造业正在不断推进和扩张，这从近年来知名电动汽车制造商的商业举措中便可以看出。利用可将逼真副本和精确数据无缝融合在一起的元宇宙技术，这些汽车制造商能够更直观地规划新工厂并优化装配线布局。

具备经验的中国企业表示，改善安全性（73%）是这一用例的最大收益，因为数字孪生技术提供了一个可靠的测试环境，支持制造商根据其工厂的特定需求快速确定并实施最佳安全程序。报告的其他优势包括提升流程效率和增强服务能力（均为64%），这也是全球市场上已部署该用例的企业认为的主要收益。

图4.13：按行业划分的虚拟设施优化的部署率

图4.14:目前使用虚拟设施优化的企业报告的主要收益

自动/遥控（RC）操作机器人[工业]

元宇宙为实现更好的人机协作提供了可能：人类只需在数英里之外进行远程监督即可，机器人负责在现场执行体力工作。这种方法大大降低了人工成本，同时提高了员工安全性，因为机器人（如无人机或自动导引车）可以轻松完成大量繁重工作。

在所有工业用例中，自动/遥控操作机器人的部署率最低，仅工业品受访者报告了有限的部署（4%）。不过，所有行业都对该用例计划部署表现出高昂的热情（31%），高于所有用例的平均水平（29%）。在计划部署中，交通运输、供应链和物流业受访者尤其热衷于试用这项技术（50%）。

图4.15：按行业划分的自动/遥控操作机器人的部署率

虚拟供应链优化[工业]

工业元宇宙将其能力扩展到生产环境之外，可弥合整个供应链中各个阶段之间的鸿沟。它涵盖采购、运输和库存管理等上游活动，并涉及销售、产品交付和客户满意度等下游业务。通过提供数据可追溯性和透明度，元宇宙有助于更有效地优化预测和更高效地跟踪物流。

在中国，汽车行业报告的用例部署率最高，比紧随其后的工业品和制造业高出两倍。这与全球市场的部署情况一致。之所以呈现这种趋势，是因为近年来中国电动汽车（EV）和自动驾驶汽车快速发展，汽车行业的领导者与不同供应商和经销商展开了密切协作。元宇宙的使用可以帮助企业简化流程，做出数据驱动型决策，并提高客户满意度。

这一趋势也出现在全球市场中，越来越多的交通运输企业已经开始部署该用例。这种兴趣的高涨可能源于物流业期望，他们认为机器人将有望取代传统货仓车（如叉车）和传送带。机器人已经展现了其在包装、分拣和地面运输方面的强大能力，堪称仓储领域中颇具潜力的解决方案。已部署该用例的企业最看重的是减少运营支出、提高安全性和增强服务/客户体验能力等方面的收益。

图4.16：目前使用自动/遥控操作机器人的企业报告的主要收益

虚拟电网优化—电力和公用事业[工业]

中国是率先采用智能电网技术的重要国家，其目标是确保充足的电能供应并减少输电损耗。通过创建电网内资产的数字表示，企业可以实时监控电能流动并跟踪能耗模式。这种实时监控有助于及早发现潜在的供需失衡问题，以便做出明智的决策并制定相应的战略规划，从而优化电网运行。此外，电力和公用事业企业还可以利用元宇宙来模拟恶劣天气事件的潜在影响，并制定应对计划，以最大限度地缩短停电时间和缩小停电范围。调查结果显示，不少电力和公用事业企业计划部署这一用例（42%），表明该行业很看好利用元宇宙进行电网优化。

虚拟运输网络优化—交通运输、供应链和物流[工业]

中国的交通运输业受访者表示非常有兴趣采用虚拟运输网络进行优化，其中半数受访者打算在明年部署这一用例。交通运输、供应链和物流企业可利用交通运输实物资产的数字副本，分析和模拟需求模式变化或网络中断等不同场景，以识别潜在瓶颈，并优化运营。实时数据整合支持企业就路线规划做出明智的决策，并提高公共服务和运输系统的效率。例如，企业可通过动态调整车辆路线来避免交通拥堵，或者调整时间表以适应不断变化的情况。

图4.17：按行业划分的大型元宇宙用例的部署率

具备使用大型元宇宙用例经验的企业表示，提升服务和客户体验是主要收益（71%），这得益于贯穿整个供应链、交通运输网络及电网增强的一致性。受访者还认为，由于这些用例具有模拟功能，可以评估对安全的影响并优化流程，因此还有助于提高安全性和流程效率。

图4.18：目前使用大型元宇宙用例的企业报告的主要收益

1	缩短上市时间
2	提高流程效率
3	增强服务/客户体验能力

现场XR[工业]

现场XR用于涉及现场作业的各行各业，以便远程专家为现场工作人员提供远程协助和支持。它特别适用于现场检查、设备维护和维修等任务。借助支持AR的设备，专家能够将数字指令、注释或图表叠加到工作人员的视场或物理设备上，从而帮助他们排除故障、执行复杂任务或提供分步指导。

目前，中国现场XR的部署率（在所有行业中占比6%）低于所有用例的平均部署率。该用例主要部署于汽车企业和工业品企业，其中汽车企业受访者报告的采用率是工业品企业的两倍多（分别为17%和8%），与全球采用情况相差无几。不过，就未来计划部署而言，现场XR在所有用例中排名第二，各行业平均有34%的企业表示有意在下一年部署这一用例。值得注意的是，电力和公用事业部门对在未来运营中采用现场XR技术执行设备远程监控、维护及维修等任务表现出了最浓厚的兴趣。

图4.19：按行业划分的现场XR的部署率已部署现场XR的企业表示，该用例的最大收益是缩短上市时间，其次是增强流程效率和增强服务/客户体验能力。团队（如现场工作人员和设计师）之间的协作和沟通得到改善，有助于更快地做出决策和解决问题，从而优化产品开发流程。设备寿命的延长也意味着运行更加可靠，既可提高生产力，又能促进产品及时交付。此外，现场XR还能够提高问题解决效率，并缩短停机时间。在用于售后维护和维修时，该用例可显著提升客户体验。这些收益与全球市场调查结果大同小异。

图4.20：目前使用现场XR的企业报告的主要收益

可视化预测性维护[工业]

元宇宙提供了一个虚拟环境，便于查看来自传感器和设备的实时数据。这有助于维护团队即时了解机械设备的健康状况，并积极采取行动。通过应用预测分析和查看这些洞察结果，企业能够检测到设备退化或性能问题的任何迹象。创建虚拟模拟还有助于直观地了解各项维护作业的成效，以便做出明智的决策。

在中国所有行业中，可视化预测性维护的部署率仍然相对较低，只有工业品受访者报告了部署情况（10%）。不过，其他行业对试用这项技术的意愿（在所有行业中占比33%）高于工业品和制造业。在所有行业中，该用例对交通运输、供应链和物流企业最具吸引力（40%），在全球市场中也是一样的情形。

与全球趋势一样，已部署这一用例的中国工业品企业认为流程效率是最大收益，这主要得益于缩短的机器停机时间和延长的机器使用寿命。这些企业还认为，该用例可促进其售后运营的服务能力提升，并能够通过更高效的资源分配来提高可持续性。

图 4.21：按行业划分的可视化预测性维护的部署率

图4.22：目前使用可视化预测性维护的企业报告的主要收益

自动/遥控（RC）维护机器人[工业]

自动或遥控维护机器人是能够在没有直接人为干预的情况下远程自动执行维护任务的机器人系统，用于检查和维修恶劣或危险环境中的远程设备。在这些环境中，人类可能难以或无法安全到达。

中国工业品受访者报告的维护机器人部署率最高（17%），而且企业来年部署意愿强烈，有40%的受访者计划部署维护机器人。尽管汽车行业受访者报告的部署数量有限，但他们对在年内部署这一用例表现出最强烈的意愿（67%）。总体而言，在所有工业用例中，该用例的计划部署率最高，38%的中国企业计划采用这项元宇宙技术。

具备经验的中国企业强调，减少运营支出、提高可持续性和增强服务/客户体验是这一用例的主要收益。由于维护和维修活动只需极少的人为干预，因此大大降低了人力需求和相关成本。资产寿命的延长还能减少过早更换或昂贵维修的需求，从而节省成本并提高可持续性。就全球市场而言，受访者也表示获得了同样的成效，不过更看重因机器使用寿命的延长而带来的资本支出减少。此外，主动维护设备不仅有助于避免故障，还能提高设备性能，从而增强客户体验。

图4.23：按行业划分的自动/遥控维护机器人的部署率

图4.24：目前使用自动/遥控维护机器人的企业报告的主要收益

各用例的收益

工业用例超出预期

一般来说，已部署工业用例的企业所报告的成效（平均为4%）高于仍处于规划阶段的企业。

在所有用例中，最显著的收益是服务/客户体验能力增强了14%。对于已部署用例的企业来说，工业元宇宙在帮助客户在虚拟环境中使用产品和服务方面超出了其预期，支持提供更加个性化和更具吸引力的体验。此外，通过利用元宇宙收集和分析客户数据，企业能够深入了解客户偏好和行为，从而提供更有针对性的定制产品。

此外，在为员工创建沉浸式培训项目、促进学习、推动远程协作和团队建设活动方面，元宇宙也超出了受访者的预期，有助于提高员工保留率。就此而言，已部署用例的企业实现了11个百分点的提升。此外，受访者还发现上市速度明显加快（提高10个百分点），因为元宇宙能够简化流程并提高产品开发敏捷性，可帮助他们快速响应市场需求[图4.25]。

图4.25：目前已部署的企业报告的实际用例成效与仍处于规划阶段的企业的预期成效之比较

5 元宇宙部署的关键推动因素和合作伙伴

中国的元宇宙市场充满活力，许多企业都在积极开发和部署元宇宙技术。本地企业在构建基础设施层方面表现出色一一电信企业在5G网络部署方面处于领先地位，科技巨头在AI、云计算及其他元宇宙相关技术领域积累了深厚专业知识。此外，在有关元宇宙和VR产业的国家规划的推动下，越来越多的初创企业和专业科技企业不断涌现，专注于研究VR头显、虚拟社交平台、数字孪生及虚拟商务技术等。政府的《元宇宙产业创新发展三年行动计划（2023-2025年）》将进一步巩固这一成果，其目标是到2025年培育出三到五家具有全球影响力的元宇宙企业。

不同于全球市场注重元宇宙的娱乐性，中国企业看重的是其工业应用的前景和推动产业升级的潜力。这些本土企业正携手国外企业，努力打造一个具有鲜明中国特色的元宇宙领域。

除了科技企业以外，工业专家也是元宇宙的主要推动者

在我们的调研中，就谁在引领元宇宙的发展，中国企业阐述了对一系列行业参与者的看法。值得注意的是，中国受访者的调研结果与全球市场趋势非常接近，这表明他们对塑造元宇宙产业的主要参与者有着一致的看法。中国受访者认为的前六大参与者与全球调研排名完全一致[图5.1]。

受访者认为，大型科技企业（61%）和新型元宇宙平台(60%）是当今推动元宇宙发展的最重要参与者。他们积极参与元宇宙软件和硬件开发，在虚拟空间中不断开拓进取。行业解决方案提供商中的工业设备和技术企业（58%）以及工业软件和应用企业（56%）分别排名第三和第四。这些行业参与者的排名相对较高，凸显了有针对性的行业解决方案的重要性。他们在特定领域的专业研究赢得了企业的信任，并有望对工业元宇宙产生重大影响。

图5.1：所有受访者认为的推动元宇宙发展的主要参与者

事实上，中国不同类型企业的参与者排名差异很大。虽然大型科技公司、工业设备和技术提供商及新型XR/元宇宙平台厂商在各类企业中仍然占据重要地位，但值得注意的是，跨国企业认为工业软件和应用最为重要。作为行业先锋，跨国企业正在寻求先进的解决方案来拥抱创新，并展示其行业领导地位。另一方面，AI/ML提供商、区块链协议和网络设备厂商吸引了更多私营企业和国有企业的关注[图5.2]。

图5.2：按企业类型划分的推动元宇宙发展的五大参与者

专网在关键支持技术方面位列榜首

如今，推动元宇宙发展的参与者并不一定意味着他们的技术最受企业青睐。受访者对有助于元宇宙用例取得成功的支持技术各持己见。如图5.3所示，中国受访者高度重视几乎所有支持技术，前十位的差距仅为6个百分点。排名前三的基础技术包括5G/6G专网（72%）、云计算（72%）及AI/ML（70%）。这些技术为大多数企业和工业用例提供了基础设施和强大的分析能力。

图5.3：所有受访者对支持技术重要性的看法

中国 (具备经验的企业)		全球

	5G/6G专网		云计算
	云计算	2	AI/机器学习
3	AI/机器学习	3	5G/6G专网
4	5G/6G公共网络	4	光纤宽带网络
5	AR/VR/XR/头显和应用	5	智能传感器

虽然中国受访者对支持技术的排名与全球调研结果基本一致，但五大支持技术的排名有些明显差异。图5.4显示，中国受访者更重视连接能力（尤其是移动性），而全球企业则更看重计算和分析能力。如果考虑到具备元宇宙用例经验的企业，这种差异就更加明显，这些企业对5G/6G专网（75%）的重视程度甚至超过了云计算（73%）。此外，较之缺乏经验的企业，具备经验的企业将5G/6G专网视为重要支持技术的比例也高出8个百分点（在所有支持技术中比例最高）。这表明，拥有实践经验的企业更了解中国广泛的5G覆盖范围，以及其用例部署对高级移动连接能力的需求。

51%

的中国受访者表示，技术基础设施是影响其用例部署的一大障碍。

图5.4：按中国企业（具备经验的企业）与全球企业所认为的重要性排名的五大支持技术

排名第三的AI/机器学习（70%）因其在元宇宙领域的重要性而获得具备经验和缺乏经验企业的一致推崇。受访者普遍认为，受政策支持的AI/ML是发展工业元宇宙的必备技术。

不同类型的企业对支持技术重要性的看法也不尽相同。跨国企业（78%）在其部署中最看重5G/6G专网，因为这些网络能够为其国际业务的无缝数据交换提供更高的控制力和可靠性。与之相比，国有企业将云计算和AI/机器学习排在首位（均为83%）。云计算便于开展可扩展的业务运营和集中式数据管理，而AI/ML则支持数据驱动型决策，两者均对应国有企业在其特定地理区域内的战略重点[图5.5]。与此同时，私营企业最重视连接能力，包括5G/6G公共网络和固定宽带网络（均为74%）。这种偏好可能是由于此类企业的预算限制较多，而且需要在部署中快速获得连接能力。

工业和企业元宇宙基本能力

可加强数据收集、传输、存储及处理的支持技术是启动元宇宙用例的基础

云计算

支持存储和处理元宇宙用例编排所需的大量数据输入和输出

图 5.5：按企业类型划分的对支持技术重要性的看法

网络

蜂窝（公共和专用）网络和光纤可确保低延迟连接，以便在合适的时间向个人或资产提供信息，从而带来无缝体验

工智能/机器学习

对于执行数字孪生建模、创建逼真环境和模拟以及解析数据/进行预测而言必不可少

工业数据收集

智能传感器、定位系统及物联网能够实时收集和交换来自工业硬件的数据，前提条件是具有强大的连接能力

企业需要与大量合作伙伴展开紧密协作，以弥补用例部署的能力差距

企业需要提高利用关键支持技术的能力

虽然企业清楚地了解用例部署所需的必要支持技术组合，但也需要评估其内部发展水平才能有效利用这些支持技术。总体而言，中国企业在利用支持技术支持元宇宙用例方面有待提升[图5.6]。在受访者认为最重要的六大支持技术中，企业在光纤宽带网络、云计算和AI/机器学习能力方面的差距最大。这充分说明，企业亟需提高这些支持技术能力，以成功部署元宇宙用例。

具体而言，与跨国企业和私营企业相比，国有企业在利用这些支持技术方面始终存在较大差距[图5.7]，部分原因在于其所用的旧有系统和基础设施。就这点而言，由于资金、合同签订和内部IT能力方面的支持，私营部门通常在采用新技术方面具有更强的优势。

图5.7：按企业类型划分的支持技术重要性与企业内部发展水平之间的差距

图5.6：支持技术的重要性与企业内部支持技术运用方面的发展水平（所有受访者）

实施正确的合作伙伴战略是成功部署的关键

当企业需要部署或扩展用例时，提升技术能力的最有效方法是与元宇宙价值链中的相关参与者建立合作伙伴关系。迄今为止，没有哪个参与者能够单独为特定行业提供完整的端到端工业元宇宙解决方案。这意味着企业必须寻求建立多方合作伙伴关系，以构建和集成各项必要支持技术。

当这些企业在中国部署工业用例时，许多关键合作伙伴都在其考虑范围之内。事实上，在受访者评出的前七大关键合作伙伴中，首尾仅相差两个百分点，这表明他们对于寻求合作伙伴关系的企业而言具有同等重要性。虽然中国与全球调研结果高度吻合，排名前四的参与者相同，但受访者对工业解决方案提供商的重视程度略高。具体而言，工业设备和技术提供商（66%）与工业软件和应用提供商（65%）分列第一和第三位，大型科技公司位居第二。[图5.8]。

基础技术的部署在很大程度上依赖于协作。具体而言，专网、云计算及AI等最热门的技术需要高水平的内部技能和外部协作才可高效工作。因此，建议企业根据其元宇宙目标制定合作伙伴战略，以充分利用相关协作。

图5.8：部署工业元宇宙用例的关键合作伙伴（所有受访者）

从中国企业视角看元宇宙发展41

部署阶段的合作伙伴并不一定是被认为处于元宇宙发展最前沿的参与者

值得注意的是，关键合作伙伴并非总是被认为引领元宇宙发展的参与者。图5.9显示了排名靠前的部署合作伙伴与排名靠前的元宇宙创新推动者之间的差异。虽然前四名保持一致，但相较于受访者对合作伙伴在推动元宇宙创新方面的整体看法，AI/ML提供商（排名上升了2个名次）和网络/网络设备厂商（排名上升了5个名次）作为启动工业和企业元宇宙用例的重要合作伙伴的排名明显靠前。由于网络连接能力和AI/ML作为部署工业和企业用例的关键支持技术受到高度重视，因此这一结果（与全球调研相吻合）并不意外。企业敏锐地意识到有必要从基础上增强架构和计算层，以实现在其上构建的应用的无缝运行。

总之，企业不仅要就其元宇宙愿景全面评估其当前能力，包括但不限于数据的传输、处理及存储，而且还必须进行战略投资并建立必要的合作伙伴关系，以实现元宇宙用例。

AI/ML提供商

处理从设备收集的原始数据输入，而无需人为干预

自动执行和预测流程，并查看从联网设备、资产及系统中收集的洞察信息

：提供生成式能力，以构建定制的沉浸式环境和数字资产

网络和网络设备厂商

提供基础设施和服务，以满足实现元宇宙用例所需的下一代连接要求（速度、带宽、延迟）：

5G/6G专网

：5G/6G公共网络

光纤宽带网络

图5.9：元宇宙主要参与者的重要性之间的差异(所有受访者）

	重要性排名：部署用例的合作伙伴	重要性排名：推动元宇宙发展	差异
工业设备和技术提供商	1st	3rd	+2
大型科技公司	2nd	1st	-1
工业软件和应用提供商	3rd	4th	+1
新型XR/元宇宙平台厂商	4th	2nd	-2
AI/ML提供商	5th	7th	+2
网络/网络设备提供商	6th	11th	△ +5

从中国企业视角看元宇宙发展43

元宇宙的风险和挑战

鉴于元宇宙仍处于早期发展阶段，人们普遍认为（无论是在中国还是在全球范围内），企业在部署工业元宇宙用例时可能会遇到各种风险。

图6.1：具备经验的企业在部署元宇宙用例时面临的主要风险

根据我们的研究，具备经验的中国企业与全球市场上的其他国家一样，对工业元宇宙用例部署的相关风险有着同样的担忧。鉴于工业元宇宙的在线性，受访者普遍认为网络和信息安全风险（69%）是最突出的问题，因为这增加了受到攻击的可能性。数据隐私问题也在所难免，排在第二位(59%）。若未得到充分保护，AR/VR技术捕获的产品、生物特征或面部手势等敏感数据可能会被滥用。因此，在用例开发过程中，保护知识产权和数字资产对于企业而言至关重要[图6.1]。

不出所料，与跨国企业相比，国有企业和私营企业都认为网络安全风险（分别为76%和80%）和数据隐私风险（分别为71%和67%）更大。不过，跨国企业和私营企业面临的技术风险更高（51%），这或许是因为他们投资于可能尚未得到充分验证的新兴技术[图6.2]。如果技术无法达到客户预期，便会产生潜在的责任风险。因此，企业必须与合作伙伴密切合作，了解技术成熟度和潜在制约因素。

图6.2：按企业类型划分的部署元宇宙用例的风险

三分之一的具备经验的企业还认为，法律法规是他们在用例部署过程中面临的主要风险。在中国营造有利的政策环境来鼓励元宇宙发展的同时，元宇宙的快速发展也引发了人们对隐私、信息安全和知识产权的担忧。元宇宙的动态发展可能会推进新的法律法规出台，以有效解决新问题。

通过战略规划和迭代方法化解部署元宇宙的挑战

在元宇宙征途中，企业难免会遇到一系列挑战。中国企业不断寻求突破，砥砺前行。

图6.3：具备经验的企业在部署元宇宙用例时面临的主要挑战

中国企业所面临挑战的排名与全球趋势一致，只不过更均衡些。具备经验的中国企业认为，缺乏专业知识（38%)是最普遍的挑战，紧随其后的是技术问题（36%）。企业逐渐意识到，元宇宙需要其精通各项新兴技术，例如区块链、AR/VR、数字孪生、3D实时引擎等。为了应对这一挑战，他们必须通过聘请专业技术人才来扩充内部知识和提升内部能力，同时加强与外部合作伙伴之间的协[图6.3]。此外，大约三分之一的企业面临着预算限制和员工不愿采用的挑战。建议采取渐进式部署的方法，先行试用成本适中的用例，同时在组织内部实施变革管理，从而为开拓创新铺平道路。

图6.4：按企业类型划分的部署元宇宙用例时面临的挑战

纵观各类企业，国有企业在部署过程中遇到的最大挑战是技术问题 (60%)[图6.4]。这并不奇怪，因为国有企业通常采用旧有系统和基础设施，并非以技术为中心的实体。处理技术债务（包括所有技术变革的累积成本）限制了他们探索元宇宙机遇的能力。与具有独特优势的技术盟友合作、采用小规模用例，并渐进式地尝试新想法，如此可帮助缓解这一问题，并为长期成功铺路。

的中国企业在部署元宇宙用例时遇到了多重挑战。

对于尚未部署元宇宙用例的企业来说，阻碍其计划实施的最大挑战主要集中在技术方面。虽然缺乏专业知识 (51%)也是一个重要问题，排在第二位，但最主要的障碍是缺乏技术基础设施（56%）。这表明，连接、计算及存储等能力对企业探索元宇宙至关重要。另有一半受访者认为，旧有系统是用例部署的一个障碍。为了迎接未来，企业即使不更换目前的旧有系统，也必须开始考虑对其进行现代化改造。为此，企业最好聘请外部合作伙伴来升级其基础设施，并补充元宇宙知识。

图6.5：缺乏经验的企业在部署用例时面临的主要挑战

进一步探索工业和企业元宇宙

展望未来，中国工业和企业元宇宙与国家战略相契合，前景广阔。毫无疑问，随着未来几年新兴创新用例的部署，这些技术的采用将不断激增。技术进步将重塑企业在虚拟环境中的运营和交互方式。

但传统制造业和中小型企业（SME）在数字化转型方面仍存在明显差距。要弥合这一鸿沟并缩小差距，各方需要通力合作，包括开展宣传活动、提供有针对性的支持，以及根据这些行业的独特需求和限制要求量身定制解决方案。

尽管如此，中国工业元宇宙的巨大潜力还是令人倍感振奋。有了正确的战略、密切的协作以及包容兼蓄的理念，工业和企业元宇宙能够改变传统行业，为中小型企业赋能，并推动整个工业领域实现创新和提升效率。

企业应尽早开启元宇宙之旅，探索高相关性应用，并从中吸取经验教训。抢占市场先机的企业有望在未来取得更大的成功。

后续行动

开发行业特定应用:

根据自身发展现状和需求，确定行业特定用例，尽享工业元宇宙在设计、生产、制造、服务、管理等方面带来的显著优势。

促进协作：

与专门研究元宇宙相关技术的科技公司、初创企业及研究机构建立合作伙伴关系，并展开密切协作。通过与该领域的专家合作，中国企业能够充分利用其专业知识，始终走在元宇宙发展的前沿。

及时了解最新法规:

密切关注并严格遵守元宇宙技术相关法规和政策。随时了解不断发展的法律框架，确保遵守数据保护、知识产权和道德标准。

促进人才培养：

通过培训计划、与教育机构的合作以及人才招聘工作，大力培养元宇宙技术人才。这有助于打造高技能员工队伍，在组织内部推动元宇宙的采用和创新。

培育创新文化：

通过推进积极尝试、群策群力及跨职能协作，在组织内营造创新文化。为员工探索和开发元宇宙概念与应用提供平台和资源。

附录：用例定义

用例	定义
XR实践培训	利用XR技术进行沉浸式技术培训，在纯虚拟或虚拟增强的物理环境中打造逼真体验和场景，侧重于提升设备使用技能和实施安全程序。
虚拟研发、原型设计和测试	在虚拟环境中设计或重新设计产品、组件、设备等，以改进原型设计、安全和性能测试、生产准备评估等流程。
XR增强型用户体验研究	让最终用户、中间人和/或企业员工利用扩展现实（XR）技术进行眼动跟踪、在现实世界中叠加虚拟元素、构建用户测试虚拟原型（如车辆、机械）等，从而加强用户体验研究。
虚拟设施优化	在虚拟环境（如数字孪生）中设计、规划、模拟和优化设施（如工厂、仓库、零售店等），从而在不影响实际运营的情况下改进生产及其他流程。对工厂、仓库及其他设施进行虚拟跟踪和数据采集，以查看实时性能并快速标记问题区域。
虚拟供应链优化	在虚拟环境（如数字孪生）中进行资产跟踪（如设施、设备、作业车辆、设备等）和供应链优化，以便在不影响实际运营的情况下进行重新设计和模拟。对实际供应链进行虚拟跟踪和数据采集，以实时标记问题区域并跟踪物流。
自动/遥控操作机器人	使用可虚拟部署、控制和/或监控的自动或遥控机器人，协助开展制造、监控、设施内资产重新安排、装载、存储和检索、包装等操作。
自动/遥控维护机器人	使用可虚拟部署、控制和/或监控的自动或遥控机器人，在设施、远程环境等场景中执行维护作业。
现场XR	对员工、维护团队、检查员及技术人员进行扩展现实（XR）增强，允许用户与专家共享视图或叠加其他方式不可见/不可用的虚拟元素。
可视化预测性维护	通过增强型数据采集，更准确地评估资产健康状况（如车辆或机械），并在资产的虚拟呈现（如数字孪生）上标记问题区域。
	在虚拟环境中跟踪和安排电网资产（如设施、作业车辆、输电线路、配电线路、保护和控制系统等），以便在不影响运营的情况下进行虚拟重新设计和流程/生产模拟。对实际电网性能、输入、输出进行虚拟跟踪和数据采集，并标记问题区域，以最大限度地减少停电。
虚拟运输网络优化	虚拟规划交通运输网络、资产布局（如作业车辆、轨道车辆、维修人员、机械) 和客流/货流，以便改善和模拟不同的潜在威胁和事件。
虚拟办公室和工作空间	使用沉浸式数字环境，让员工轻松交互，以增强连接和社交体验，或者使用无限的工作空间、数据交互空间以及专为加强协作和联合设计而创建的空间。
XR入职引导和软技能培训	在企业级人力资源、入职引导和培训流程中使用沉浸式数字环境开展客户服务培训、一般安全培训及公司级可持续发展和多元化、公平性和包容性计划等项目。
沉浸式招聘和雇用体验	在招聘和雇用过程中使用沉浸式数字环境，以触达更广泛、更年轻、更精通技术的应聘者，并以虚拟方式进行以前需要现场考查的技术面试。

尾注

1．Zuo,Tom，“回到现实世界：中国元宇宙旨在推动实体经济发展”，雅虎财经，2013年6月15日。

2.Ye,Josh，“中国计划到2026年发运2500万台虚拟现实设备"，路透社，2022年11月1日。https://www.reuters.com/technology/china-aims-ship-25-million-virtual-reality-devices-by-2026-2022-11-01/

3.“中国发布行动计划来加速元宇宙发展”，国务院，2023年9月10日。

4.“我国5G全连接工厂发展现状、问题及相关建议"，新浪科技，2023年2月8日。https://finance.sina.com.cn/tech/5g/2023-02-08/doc-imyexvzy6343775.shtml

5．“XR培训：投资回报率和成本效益"，Pixo，2021年11月30日。https://pixovr.com/roi-cost-effectiveness-vr-training/

作者

安永（中国）企业咨询有限公司

欧阳伟基华中区咨询服务主管合伙人，安永（中国）企业咨询有限公司

李家骅
高级分析师-电信业，
Ernst& Young Group Limited
黄笠舟
高级商业分析师，
安永前海（深圳）企业咨询有限公司

上海诺基亚贝尔股份有限公司

徐静
市场部负责人，
上海诺基亚贝尔股份有限公司
刘伯韬
市场部经理，
上海诺基亚贝尔股份有限公司

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The metaverse at v work

Perspectives from Chinese enterprises

EY永

Building a better working world

Executive summary 02
1 What is the metaverse and is it just hype? 06
2 het 08
3 The metaverse and China's industrial digitalization 15
4 Industrial and enterprise metaverse use cases in China 19
5 Key enablers and partners to deploying the metaverse 35
6 Risks and challenges within the metaverse 44
7 Takingtheetur 47
Appendix: use case definitions 48
Endnotes 49
Authors 49

Executive summary

Unlike the consumer metaverse which poses more cultural and ethical challenges,the enterprise and industrial metaverse,with its specific industry focus,holds immense potential for growth.China has been one of the markets taking the industrial metaverse very seriously of late.This dedication is largely driven by extensive top-down policy support from the government. Building upon this context, this study aims to delve deeper into the nuances of the Chinese market, specifically examining the industry's perspective on the enterprise and industrial metaverses.

Based on an online survey, the study sheds light on the current state of adoption and expectations of use cases across four industries and three types of businesses.The report,which also benchmarks against the original global study released the previous year, provides insight into how China's metaverse landscape evolves in relation to the global market.

The research reveals a highly positive outlook among Chinese business leaders regarding the metaverse,as industrial metaverse activities thrive in major economic zones throughout the country. Companies are actively exploring opportunities across multiple domains,with a particular interest in production and delivery as well as design and testing.Nevertheless,among the four tested domains,businesses are particularly optimistic about the transformative potential on service and repairs indicating their strong desire to uplift after-service quality.

China's advanced development on 5G networks has heightened the value businesses placed on 5G connectivity, particularly private 5G networks.These networks are considered vital technical enablers for industrial and enterprise metaverse use cases,alongside other foundational technologies such as cloud computing and artificial intelligence (Al) machine learning. However, businesses,regardless of their level of experience,still confront challenges as globally perceived primarily from a technical standpoint,including infrastructure gaps and lack of expertise.Metaverse devicesarealsoa limiting factor to scaled deploymentsas device investment remains modest today.

As businesses increasingly recognize the potential of enterprise and industrial metaverse applications, more companies in China are expected to embrace this technology to harness its widely perceived benefits such as process efficiency and enhance service capabilities.On this front,engaging with the right set of business partners becomes crucial for navigating the complexities associated with expanding use case deployments,as well as for companies embarking on their journey.

Key findings:

Companies in China are seeing more power of the metaverse -- 51% of Chinese companies which have tested the technology are more optimistic that the metaverse would revolutionize the web, surpassing the global sentiment.

China takes the lead in industrial and enterprise metaverse deployments in Asia Pacific- 59% of Chinese companies who plan to enter the industrial and enterprise metaverses have already done so through at least a pilot program; Japan and South Korea were both at49%.

Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) headsets take the spotlight with growing interest surrounding new types of devices in the use case deployments - an overwhelming 95% of companies use VR or AR headsets in their deployments while about one-third of Chinese companies employ hologramsand advanced haptics devices to experience the industrial and enterprise metaverse.

While Chinese respondents recognize the potential in today's use cases in the market, they see the greatest transformative values delivered from those industrial use cases differently from the global market - they view autonomous or remote-controlled maintenance robotics as having the most potential impact among industrial use cases.

Use case deployments rely on a range of factors beyond the impact expectations -technology maturity, use case complexity, partner and infrastructure readiness all affect deployments.Today, virtual facility planning, tracking and optimization has seen the highest rate of implementations in China.

The industrial and enterprise metaverses are exceeding expectations - companies having already deployed use cases report benefits more often than companies stillin the planning phase expect. In China, the most notable is on service capabilities benefit rather than costs,with experienced companies citing a 14 percentage point increase in enhanced service/CX capabilities.

A diverse array of technical enablers is essential for the implementation of industrial and enterprise metaverse with China emphasizing more on connectivity- Chinese firms,especially those already deployed use cases, see the importance of 5G mobile,more than the global counterparts.

Many companies still observe a capability gap in achieving the level of various technical enablers to adopt the enterprise and industrial metaverse - this gap in capabilities ismost significant for fiber broadband infrastructure and cloud computing in Chinese companies.

Views on the companies leading the development of the metaverse and partners needed to deploy use casesare not always aligned- with a similar result as global market, network infrastructure providers and Al or machine learning (ML) providers were not seen as driving development but considered key partners in deploying use cases in China.

Chinese companies face risks and challenges in entering the industrial and enterprise metaverses, much alike in the global landscape - cybersecurity and data privacy remain the primary concerns while lack of expertise and technical difficultiesare biggest roadblocks companies face.

About this study

The metaverse at work - Perspectives from Chinese enterprises is an extension report for the China market based on the global study of the same name published in 2O23.It is based on an online survey conducted by EY teams in collaboration with Nokia Shanghai Bell, of 2Oo business leaders in China across four key industries: automotive, industrial goods and manufacturing, transportation, supply chain and logistics, and power and utilities. The China survey also targeted respondents from different corporate profiles including state-owned enterprises, multinational corporations and private companies. The research was conducted in December 2023. Respondents from automotive companies have been considered in the industrial goods and manufacturing industry if they sit within operations and production functions due to similarities in manufacturing between the two industries, while respondents from all other functions within automotive are considered within the automotive industry.

The survey is designed to capture companies’ current maturity and mid-term goals in adopting enterprise and industrial metaverse use cases. Our findings assess the key drivers, benefits, challenges and risks associated with deploying use cases in the metaverse, as well as the enablers and partnerships required to drive value.

Our research targets leaders (Director, Vice President or C-level) with moderate to extremely high levels of topic area knowledge reporting plans to develop capabilities in the metaverse, regardless of time to launch. Individuals failing to meet these criteria were excluded from the research.

The Metaverse at work - perspectives from Chinese enterprises 5

What is the metaverse and is it just hype?

The metaverse has sparked significant interest and excitement across China in recent years,captivating the attention of individuals,businesses,and policymakers alike.From virtual gaming and entertainment to industrial applications and virtual commerce,the metaverse has captured the imagination of Chinese society,driving a surge of interest and exploration in this evolving digital landscape.

The Chinese metaverse industry is shaping up differently than other parts of the world, thanks to the nation's strong commitment to digital transformation.China is actively embracing and investing in the metaverse,positioning itself at the forefront of this emerging field. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, China has significantly increased its focus on the metaverse industry, with the issuance of a series of related policy documents and guidelines.Local governments also unveiled strategies and implemented action plans to establish the metaverse industry.These comprehensive efforts at both national and local levels demonstrate China's commitment to seizing the opportunities presented by the metaverse and propelling its growth.

The China metaverse market is on the cusp of a transformative period,with immense potential to revolutionize the way people interact with digital platforms.Companies and entrepreneurs that navigate the evolving landscape by embracing these trends will be well-positioned to lead the way in shaping the metaverse of the future. Adapting to changing regulations and addressing ethical concerns will be essential for sustained success in this dynamic market.

59%

of Chinese companies with future metaverse plans have already begun their metaverse journeyand have deployed or piloted at least one metaverse use case in their organization.

Consumer metaverse

The consumer metaverse is centered around computergenerated environments where users can interact, purchase items,game,and have experiences like they would in the real world through digital only or digitally-augmented means.

Enterprise metaverse

The enterprise metaverse is driven by demand for better digital collaboration and
communication tools.It wil envelop the core
productivity applications
that make business function and allow for the next
generation of virtual
connections.

Industrial metaverse

The industrial metaverse is a physical-digital fusion and human augmentation for
industrial applications.This includes digital
representations of physical industrial environments,
systems,processes,assets, and spaces that participants can control,monitor,and interact with.

Experienced business executives embrace a promising outlook for the metaverse, fueled by their experimentation with the technology.

Amid a welcoming metaverse environment, China's business leaders have shown a highly positive vision on the metaverse,recognizing the possibilities and advantages that the technology can offer.

Figure 1.1: Views on the metavevse, experienced vs inexperienced companies

Figure 1.2: Views on the metaverse,by industry

Within China,86% of business executives have expressed an all-encompassing and digital views on the metaverse.While this majority viewpoint aligns with the global perception, Chinese companies that have already implemented or experimented with industrial or enterprise metaverse use cases are even more optimistic (51%) than their global counterparts.They firmly believe in the metaverse's potential to revolutionize the internet as a whole,not merelya step in digitalization but asa transformative force. Overall,an overwhelming 94% of respondents acknowledge the metaverse's value beyond its applications in socializing and gaming.This is likely a signal that early successful deployments of industrial use cases in China contribute to the growing optimism among businesses regarding the metaverse's potential [Figure 1.1].

For Chinese companies that are new to the metaverse and have yet to gain practical experience,approximately half of them anticipate a digitalization revolution driven by the metaverse. However,more than 2O% of respondents still view it primarily as an extension of gaming and social networks.This contrasting view is likely to evolve as more companies gains hands-on experience with the metaverse in the future.

Furthermore,there exist disparities in perceptions among industries.The transportation,supply chain and logistics industry display the highest level of optimisms (55%) towards the metaverse as a comprehensive technology. This aligns with our findings on industrial use cases that transportation respondents anticipate the biggest impacts from these use cases on their future businesses.On the other hand,the industrial goods and manufacturing industry exhibits the highest percentage of responses aligning with the all-encompassing and digital perspectives [Figure 1.2].

The metaverse holds tremendous promise for various industries,offering a wide range of use cases that span different stages of a company's value chain,encompassing design,production,and delivery processes.As businesses explore the practical applications, they open up opportunities to generate sustained value in these areas in ways that have not yet been observed in the consumer metaverse.

enterprise metaverses in China today

Over the past couple of years,a growing number of metaverse applications have rapidly emerged across different industries,harnessing the integration of VR and AR,digital twins and other immersive technologies. This surge in industrial metaverse applications has been facilitated by China's advanced and well-established basic infrastructure foundation.With the widespread deployment of 5G networks and the recent rollout of 5.5G,as well as the presence of robust cloud data centers and big data capabilities, China possesses significant advantages in delivering the massive computing power and real-time, immersive experiences necessary for the industrial metaverse.

Yet,despite the massive potential that lies ahead, the development of industrial and enterprise metaverse in China remains in its early stage.The adoption and implementation of metaverse technologies in industrial settings are still nascent.As industries gradually recognize the transformative potential of the metaverse in optimizing operations,enhancing productivity and driving innovation, this presents vast opportunities for further exploration and expansion.

China takes the lead in metaverse adoption across Asia Pacific with industrial sector at the forefront

Our survey reveals that among Chinese companies interested in or considering using the metaverse, 59% of them are already piloting or deploying industrial or enterprise use cases,slightly exceeding the global average of 58%.Globally, industrial metaverse is still in the first phase of its maturity cycle.The US leads in adoption marginally today, thanks to an early start in metaverse technology driven by a robust technology ecosystem with a strong focus on innovation.While China is slightly behind, supportive policies and the formation of a comprehensive industry chain willikely fuel one of the fastest growths in the country in the years ahead. Regionally, China already stands at the forefront within the Asia Pacific,surpassing Japan and South Korea (both 49%) in metaverse adoption [Figure 2.1].Across industries,the industrial goods and manufacturing sector leads in deployment and piloting use cases (65%)among all four tested industries.This is a reasonable outcome as industrial metaverse is expected to be most influential in the manufacturing industry.

Figure 2.1: Hands-on metaverse experience today, across key geographies
Figure 2.2: Estimated time to use the metaverse, among non-users today

As for the 41% of respondents who are yet to embark on the pilot or deployment phase,the metaverse remains an alluring concept to them.89% of these inexperienced participants express intentions to launch pilot programs or implement use cases leveraging metaverse technology within the next two years [Figure 2.2].

Industrial metaverse deployments thrives in China's economic zones, highlighting regional leadership and private sector agility

Companies in China exhibit varying levels of adoption of business-to-business metaverse technologies across the country's key economic regions.Notably, Jing-Jin-Ji, the industrial cluster surrounding the state capital, emerges as a frontrunner in metaverse implementation,with an impressive 65% of companies already piloting or deploying metaverse use cases (a level matching the USA) [Figure 2.3].This underscores the region's proactive approach towards embracing transformative technologies to drive innovation and efficiency.

Following closely behind are the Yangtze River Delta and Yangtze River Middle Reaches,two urban clusters situated in the central region of China (63% and 60% respectively).The Greater Bay Area,located in southern China,follows suit albeit at a slightly lower rate.These economic zones represent the largest and most influential regions in China.They boast a solid foundation in industrial and manufacturing bases,each with its unique focus. These regions' interest in leveraging the metaverse aligns with their commitments to fostering innovation and technological advancements.

Figure 2.4: Companies with hands-on metaverse experience today, by company type

However, it is noteworthy that SOEs have not been passive observers in the metaverse landscape.Despite lagging behind in current deployments or pilot programs, 93% of SOEs express intentions to use the related technologies within the next two years [Figure 2.5].

Despite varying speed of adoption across different industries and types of companies in China,the interest to

Figure 2.3: Hands-on metaverse experience today, across key geographies

Experienced companies Inexperienced companies 1+ use cases deployed, piloted Planning to deploy

China's business landscape comprises diverse entities, including State-owned enterprises (SOEs),multinational corporations (MNCs) and private firms.Notably, there existsa discernible difference in the metaverse experience among these companies.Private firms and MNCs stand out,outscoring SOEs by a significant margin of over 10 percentage points.This discrepancy highlights the agility and adaptability demonstrated by private firms and MNCs in introducing new metaverse applications and embracing emerging technologies in a faster pace [Figure 2.4].

Figure 2.5: Estimated time to use the metaverse, among SOE non-users today

Of the 51% of SOE respondents who have not deployed or piloted a use case to-date,93% plan to use the metaverse or related technologies in the next two years

test the technology through planned deployments looks promising.While newcomers may face a learning curve, they can draw valuable lessons from the successes of early adopters who are already reaping tangible benefits.These first movers serve as crucial examples for companies that are planning their future metaverse endeavors.

Device usage and investment

End-user devices play a crucial role in the widespread adoption of the metaverse,much like in other emerging technologies.They serve as the human interface layer within the metaverse ecosystem,enabling access to this digital realm.Currently,prominent products in this domain include VR and AR headsets,wearable devices like smart glasses,haptic feedback-enabled devices,miniatured biosensors and neural interfaces.

In China,the development of hardware in the metaverse landscape is evident through the rise in activities such as patent filings,acquisitions,and venture investments in VR and AR hardware start-ups.The country has a robust metaverse value chain that involves both domestic and international tech companies.These companies are making significant investments to create innovative devices and software,forging a flourishing device landscape that will shape the future of the metaverse industry in the country.

Figure 2.6: Type of metaverse devices used by companies with pilots or deployments

Figure 2.7: Proportion of metaverse device types used,by industry

Growing interest in a diverse range of metaverse devices: VR and AR headsets take center stage

China's market showcases a wide range of metaverse devices,with a particular emphasis on affordability and accessibility.This has led to a diverse array of options available to enterprises,catering to different budgetary and operational requirements.Chinese companies have shown a growing interest in devices such as VR and AR headsets, smart glasses,holograms and advanced haptic devices. Our research reveals that the predominant device of choice is VR or AR headsets,utilized by a significant majority of companies (95%)already deploying or pilot metaverse use cases.Additionally, over half of the companies (56%) leverage smart glasses,which has a smaller form factor to augment the user's real-world view with virtual content. These devices are currently most available and accessible in the market integrated with a broad selection of applications foraccessing the shared virtual space.Furthermore, around one-third of companies are exploring novel devices, including holograms (33%) and advanced haptics (27%), to empower the metaverse and enhance user experiences [Figure 2.6].

When examining across industries,power and utilities companies exhibit a different pattern of device adoption. While they are less inclined to use VR and AR headsets fora fully immersive virtual experience,they display a heightened interest (54%) in harnessing the potential of holograms within their metaverse use case deployments [Figure 2.7].This interest is driven by the recognition that holographic representations of power plants,substations, or distribution networks can provide a substantial aid in visualizing their complex systems. Engineers can leverage such visualizations to analyze data,simulate scenarios and optimize infrastructure designs,thereby enhancing operational efficiency and facilitating informed decisionmaking processes within the industry.

In terms of device procurement for metaverse deployments or pilots,larger companies tend to acquire a greater number of devices compared to smaller firms.This is in line with the scale of their operations and resources.Currently, state-owned enterprises and multinational corporations reported comparable levels of device procurement, averaging at 2O.7 devices per company.In contrast,private firms are inclined to test the metaverse with a smaller number of devices,where 7O% of them procure less than five devices for their metaverse initiatives [Figure 2.8].

Figure 2.8: Number of metaverse devices procured, by company type

Across industries,the industrial goods and manufacturing industry stands out for its significant scale of device procurement.Nearly 4O% of the companies acquire more than 3O metaverse devices for their deployments. Transportation,supply chain and logistics companies are on the opposite end with 61% of the respondents use fewer than five devices in their setups [Figure 2.9].

Figure 2.9: Company procuring less than 5 or more than 30 devices,by industry

Modest investment indicates a prudent approach on metaverse device acquisition

Despite the growing interest in the industrial metaverse, metaverse devices still represent a relatively small portion of companies' information and communication technology (ICT)budgets in China.In fact,over half of Chinese companiesallocate less than 1% of their ICT investment specifically for device acquisition in the metaverse space [Figure 2.1O].This trend is even more pronounced among state-owned enterprises (7O%).Conversely,merely1%of companies,allof which are private firms in our survey, have dedicated over 1O% of their ICT budget to acquire metaverse devices.This underscores the agility of these private firms in swiftly responding to emerging technologies and adapting their investment strategies accordingly [Figure 2.11].

The role of end-user devices is critical in facilitating the widespread adoption of the metaverse.While China's metaverse landscape is witnessing significant developments in hardware,overall device procurement for the industrial metaverse remains modest in relation to ICT budgets, highlighting the cautious approach of companies in allocating resources to this emerging technology.As the metaverse continues to evolve in industries and enterprises, it is expected that device adoption and investment will increase, shaping the future of the metaverse industry in China and beyond.

Figure 2.1O: Metaverse device investment as % of total ICT

Figure 2.11: Metaverse device investment as % of total ICT, by company type

3 The metaverse and China's industrial digitalization

Industrial digitalization has emerged as a top priority in China,serving as a mean to transform and upgrade traditional industries.The promotion of industrial digitalization,outlined in the14th Five-Year Plan has become instrumental in driving the advancement of industrial structure and innovation capabilities.As China's economic and social development increasingly focuses on high-quality growth,industrial digitalization faces new demands and requirements.

Embracing the metaverse for industrial digitalization

The metaverse holds immense potential to further propel China's industrial digitalization efforts,offering a dynamic platform for immersive experiences,collaborative workspacesand innovative business models that can seamlessly merge the physical and digital realms.By integrating the metaverse into its digitalization agenda, China aims to unlock new avenues for economic growth, technological advancement and societal progress.

The development of the industrial metaverse in China has received significant support at the national level.The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIlT)

95%

of respondents in China agree that the
metaverse brings additional innovative
capabilities that will accelerate deployment,
adoption,and monetization of industrial
digitalization projects by mixing physical and
virtual use cases.

issued a three-year plan in October 2022,recognizing the industrial metaverse as a crucial component of the nation's strategy to build a digital economy that complements its existing industries 1.A five-year action plan (2022-2026) was further released ina bid to integrate virtual reality technology into industrial applications ².Building upon these initiatives, the MllT and four other regulatory bodies unveiled a new blueprint in September 2O23,outlining the development of the industrial metaverse within several industries over the next two years 3.Figure 3.1 summarizes the targets of the latest metaverse-related policies.

Figure 3.1: China's policy commitments on the metaverse industry related to industrialization

Policy	Issue date	Issued by	Key description and targetsTo cultivate 3 to 5 ecological enterprises with global influence anda batch of specialized SMEs,and establish three to five industrialdevelopment clusters,built around the emerging technologies ofAl,blockchain and virtual reality,by 2O25.The initiative coversmanufacturing,automotive,aerospace and home appliances and isaimed at creating next-generation internet technologies,as well asupgrading manufacturing to be more advanced and greener.
"Three-Year Action	2023/9	MIIT&
Plan for Innovative		4 other
Development of the		ministries
Metaverse Industry
(2023-2025)"
(2023-2025)"

"Virtual Reality and	2022/11	MIIT &	Sets a goal for China's VR industry to exceed RMB 35O billion and toship over 25 million VR devices by 2026.The plan will cultivate 100"backbone enterprises" with strong innovation capabilities in the VR sector and to build 1O public service platforms for the industry by2026.
Industry Application		4 other
Integration Development		ministries
Action Plan (2022/-
2026)"
"Three-Year Action	2022/10	To achieve three"100" targets by 2025:Form 1OO replicable typicaluse cases to promote applications; Create 1OO industrial metaversebenchmark applications to provide high-level implementationdemonstrations of the metaverse in the industrial field; Build 100innovation centers and drive the construction of a number of openplatform encompassing industrial metaverse and vertical industries.
Plan for Innovative
Development of the
Industrial Metaverse
(2022-2025)"

"14th Five-Year Plan for	2022/01 State By 2025,China's digital economy should be in full expansion mode,Council with the value added by core industries of such an economy accountingfor 10% of GDP and significant progress having been made in theintegration of digital technologies with the real economy.To acceleratedigital transformation and upgrading in enterprises,qualified large-scale enterprises will be encouraged to build integrated digitalplatforms.
the Development of the
Digital Economy"

"Development Plan	2021/11 MIIT Targets 85% of research and development design tools becomingdigitalized,68% of crucial production procedures being digitallycontrolled,and 45% of industrial internet platforms penetration rate by2025.The national integration development index,a key barometermeasuring industrial sector and information technology integration,should reach 105 by 2025,an increase of about 20 from 2020.
on deep integration of
informatization and
industrialization"

Source: MIIT, China Daily

China's robust efforts in harnessing the potential of the industrial metaverse reflect its determination to drive industrial digitalization,enhance productivity and foster technological advancements across various sectors.The government's recent endeavor in building 5G connected factories for1O,Ooo enterprises across the country 4 is also set to create new industrial Internet infrastructure, promoting industrial digitalization and intelligent transformation of enterprises.These smart factories will be equipped with advanced production units with extensive connections and deep integration of IT and OT,which will facilitate the roll-out of industrial metaverse applications.

The industrial metaverse is a new stage of industrial digitalization and intelligence development, and companies with advanced industrial Internet connectivity are more ready to employ the metaverse than perceived.

By leveraging the metaverse in their digitalization efforts, companies can unlock a range of benefits.They can optimize production processes,reducing downtime and enhancing overall efficiency.The metaverse enables improved employee training through immersive experiences and facilitates virtual collaboration, transcending geographical barriers.Furthermore,the integration of 3D, VR and AR technologies expands possibilities in design and engineering tasks,empowering businesses to enable hybrid workers to accomplish more than ever before.The metaverse is becoming increasingly crucial in empowering companies to thrive in the era of industrial digitalization.

Industrial metaverse opportunities are being explored by companies across multiple domains and many industries.Currently, deployments of the industrial metaverse are reported in the fields of smart cities,smart transportation,smart manufacturing,smart buildings,smart cars,smart energy,etc.,of which many are completed by Chinese companies in collaboration with overseas companies.

We asked respondents to report anticipated business impact and actual deployment activity across a range of key enterprise and industrial metaverse use cases in the market today.

What defines a use case in the industrial and enterprise metaverses?

Among today's most prevalent applications of the industrial and enterprise metaverse, some are novel solutions made possible by metaverse-enabling technologies like digital twins and extended reality(XR) headsets,while others are enhanced versions of technologies that have been around for decades. However,all the use cases share a few common characteristics:

•Use cases are either purely virtual or combine virtual and physical elements.

•Use cases add enhanced visualization and contextualization to traditional software and solutions.

•Use cases are defined as a scenario or application of a metaverse technology, not the technology itself (e.g., digital twin).

Figure 4.1 Metaverse use-cases mapped to key areas of the business value chain

Although the full potential of the metaverse may still be unknown,industrial and enterprise use cases [Figure 4.1] are being deployed across the value chain to improve existing business processes by offering visualization, data interoperability and interwoven digitalphysical worlds.

See appendix for use case definitions

Top use cases across industries

Industries in China have a diverse set of top-of-mind use cases believed to deliver transformative value based on their current operations, setting them apart from the global market. Among the four tested industries, transportation respondents express the highest level of optimism regarding the ability of industrial metaverse use cases to bring transformative change in their businesses.The Chinese e-commerce market is one of the subsectors undergoing burgeoning development in recent years,with companies actively embracing digitalization and advanced technologies to optimize logistics and supply chain operations. Intense competition within the sector is spurring industry participants to seek innovative technologies to fuel growth going forward. Additionally, China has established itself as a global leader in autonomous vehicles technology with ambitious goals, where industry players actively engage in research and development, and large-scale testing on public roads. In these areas, the metaverse presents an unprecedented opportunity to foster innovation, particularly through use cases such as autonomous vehicles and delivery robotics.

In the global context, automotive respondents are relatively more optimistic about the value of the use cases. This is likely attributed to the increasing focus of automotive companies on enhancing product design in response to mounting market competition.

In terms of use case domain, service and repairs emerge as an important area highly valued by industries in China. Within this domain, autonomous or remote-controlled field maintenance robotics garners significant attention, consistently ranking among the top four industrial use cases across all industries. In fact, it is the highest-ranked use case in the automotive industry with regard to potential transformative impact. This use case helps technicians to inspect and repair remote or hard to reach equipment. Field XR,another use case under this domain, holds particular appeal to power and utilities companies. This use case enables field technicians to receive enhanced remote assistance when interacting with dangerous connected grid infrastructure.

In comparison,the global market presents a distinct perspective,with industries placing the greatest value on virtual R&D, prototyping and testing -a use case falling under design and testing domain.The diverging opinions reflect the industry priorities in China,where there is a strong emphasis on providing superior after-service and maintenance to their products. In contrast,industries in other parts of the world are focusing on delivering more sophisticated products through design and testing use cases. Figure 4.2 shows the use cases respondents in each industry expect willhave the biggest impact on the way their company operates in the future.

Figure 4.2: Use cases most expected to deliver transformative value, by industry

Fordetailed definitions of each use case presented in the report,see Appendix [page 48]

Transformative value does not always imply deployment

The extent to which these use cases are being planned and deployed does not always align to their expected impact. This can vary for a range of reasons,including the maturity of the enabling technologies,the complexity and scale of the use case,and the partners and technical infrastructure required to fully capture the value of the technology. What is clear, however, is that respondents across industries are aware of the large impact the metaverse can have throughout their company. The following pages look closer at the reported rates of deployment and benefits experienced from these use cases.

Training and onboarding

In China, companies are harnessing the power of the metaverse to create innovative training and onboarding solutions.The immersive technology offers a dynamic platform for learning,enabling companies across industries to develop both hard and soft skills.

Respondents from this research are recognizing the potential of the metaverse to revolutionize traditional training methods,fostering a more engaging and effective learning experience for their employees. As China continues to lead in technological advancements, the integration of metaverse applications in corporate training and onboarding showcases the nation's dedication to staying ahead in the digital landscape.

XR hands-on training [Industrial]

Extended reality (XR) transforms training and onboarding for companies by creating immersive simulations that enable employees to acquire practical skills,engage in realistic scenarios and collaborate seamlessly in virtual environments.

In our research,transportation respondents reported the highest rate of deployments (24%) of this use case compared to other industries.By leveraging immersive simulations,this use case proves invaluable for training personnel in the transportation industry,from vehicle maintenance to emergency response.This enhances safety protocols and ensuring staff readiness in a dynamic and risk-prone setting.On the other hand,despite a low current deployment rate being reported,respondents from industrial goods and power and utilities industry express a positive inclination and plan to deploy at a higher rate (35% and 33% respectively).Comparatively,automotive companies in China show less interest in deploying this use

Figure 4.3: Deployment of XR hands-on training by industry case,unlike the enthusiasm seen in the global scenario (30% planned and 12% deployed).

Experienced companies in China cited sustainability, time to market and process efficiency as primary benefits of this use case.To them,XR hands-on training programs contribute to sustainability by reducing the need for physical materials and travel. The expedited learning process also reduces the time required to bring products or services to market,while process efficiency can be optimized by simulating real-world scenarios to enable employees to practice and refine their skills.Yet these perceived benefits are notably different to those in the global landscape,where capex reduction and safety improvement top the list.This divergence may stem from specific industrial priorities,regulatory considerations and the unique socio-economic landscape of the Chinese market.

Figure 4.4: Key benefits reported by companies currently using XR hands-on training

XR onboarding and soft-skills training [Enterprise]

Chinese companies are adopting XR for metaverse-based onboarding and soft-skills training,transforming traditional learning across various industries.This innovative approach immerses employees in realistic virtual scenarios,enabling them to actively practice and improve essential skills such as communication, teamwork and leadership.

Among industries,automotive respondents reported the highest rates of deployment (25%) for this enterprise use case.The sector is in huge demand for employee upskilling in the course of the rapid transition to a highly competitive electric vehicle era.Meanwhile,respondents from the laborintensive transportation industry reveal the highest rate (43%) in planning to deploy this use case in the next year, where XR technology can enhance employee efficiency and reduce training time to achieve competency by up to 40% 5.

Sustainability,enhanced service/CX capabilities and staff retention and upskilling are reported as the top three benefits of this use case.While sustainability is achieved by minimizing the need for extensive travel and physical resources,XR technology enhances the overall customer experience by providing virtual assistants that guide customers throughout the journey. Additionally, the use of realistic simulation creates more engaging learning experiences,leading to increased employee satisfaction and retention. Global industries that have deployed this enterprise use case also report similar benefits.

Figure 4.5: Deployment of XR onboarding and soft-skills training by

Figure 4.6: Key benefits reported by companies currently using XR onboarding and soft-skills training

Virtual R&D, prototyping and testing [Industrial]

Engineering and design teams are actively exploring innovative technologies to shorten iteration cycles, expedite customer feedbacks,and accelerate product developmentwithin agile environments.The metaverse has recently emerged as a disruptive technology for these teams,offeringa fasterand more intuitive way to prototyping.It addresses the need for rapid advancements in product design and testing by providing a dynamic virtual environment.

Virtual research and development (R&D), prototyping and testing has the second highest rate of deployments(12% across industries),which is above the 9%average across use cases.This outcome aligns closely with the global market,where the use case ranked highest out of all the industrial cases tested.

Automotive and transportation companies are leading in current deployments (25% and 2O% respectively), surpassing industrial goods and manufacturing,and power and utilities by considerable margins.This can be attributed to the recent surge in electric vehicle (EV) adoption in

China,which has driven the need for innovative approaches to vehicle design.Through this use case,engineers and designers can visualize and refine vehicle prototypes in a digital space,enabling a more intelligent and connected approach to run agile experiments.

Interestingly, planned deployments for this use case is lowest in China(23%across industries),which contrasts with the global market trend.This discrepancy is likely due to the fact that automotive and transportation industries in China may have already embarked on metaverse initiatives through early pilot projects,while respondents from other industries may not have perceived equivalent transformative values from this use case.

Experienced companies highlight process efficiency as the top benefit (67%),aligning with global trends as the metaverse use case enhances design and testing. Moreover,companies also recognize advantages in driving new offerings and business models,along with promoting sustainability(both 56%),as digital space offers a more open and sustainable environment for prototyping.

Figure 4.7: Deployment of virtual R&D, prototyping and testing by

Figure 4.8: Key benefits reported by companies currently using virtual R&D, prototyping and testing

XR-enhanced UX research [Industrial]

XR,user interface (Ul) and user experience (UX)are anticipated to have a tremendous impact on shaping the future.XR provides designers with ample time to analyze and refine Ul and UX,with the advancements of AR and VR technologies.

Current deployment rate of this use case (8% across industries)is below average among industrial use cases. Across different industries,power and utilities companies lead in both current deployment (12%) as well as planned deployment (29%).Besides, transportation and industrial goods companies demonstrate modest interest in deploying this use case (29% and 25% respectively) within the year. That said,despite the observed overall deployment lag, these industries remain optimistic about the potential of this use case.Automotive respondents do not report deployment and imminent plan for this use case though.

Chinese firms see the benefits of this use case quite differently to the global market,where sustainability is the top of mind.Experienced Chinese firms reported enhanced service/CX capabilities and safety improvement as the top two benefits of this use case (both 67%): conducting user testing in XR before production safeguards against potential safety risks posed by AR applications in the real world.Additionally,added process efficiency is benefiting the customer for almost half of companies currently using the technology.

Figure 4.9: Deployment of XR-enhanced UX research by industry

■DeployedPlanned use within the year

Figure 4.10: Key benefits reported by companies currently using XR-enhanced UX research

Enhanced service/CX capabilities

Safety improvement

Process efficiency

Virtual office and workspaces [Enterprise]

Virtual offices,a concept that has been around for decades, are now becoming a reality with the metaverse.Through the creation of immersive workspaces,this model enables global teams to collaborate seamlesslyacross borders, transcending the limitations of physical proximity.

The adoption of this use case falls below the average among all enterprise use cases.This might not necessarily be linked to the concept of a virtual office itself but could be attributed to delayed technical infrastructure development. Interestingly,among the three enterprise use cases tested,this use case exhibits the highest rate of planned deployment(27%across industries).Powerand utilities companies,in particular,demonstrate strong optimism and interest,leading in both current deployment (10%) and planned deployment (5O%) of this use case across industries.

Yet respondents who have deployed virtual office and workspaces are already seeing the benefits in this use case,with sustainability, safety improvement and security improvement reported as the leading benefits. Indeed,the virtual workspace contributes significantly to decarbonization by allowing employees to work from home instead of commuting to physical offices.Additionally, it provides a highly secured work environment that instills confidence in data and communications usage.Similar benefits are also seen in the global landscape with sustainability and safety improvement being reported as the key benefits.

Figure 4.11: Deployment of virtual office and workspaces by industry

Figure 4.12: Key benefits reported by companies currently using virtual office and workspaces

■DeployedPlanned use within the year

Virtual facility optimization [lndustrial]

Virtual facility solutions provide a digital representation of physical facilities,allowing for remote access,monitoring and management of critical infrastructure and assets. Using enabling technology, like digital twin,along with smart sensors,the metaverse empowers businesses to streamline facility operations,optimize resource allocation and enhance security processes.

Overall,this use case boasts the highest deployments rate(17% across industries) and is above average in terms of planned deployments (32% across industries) out ofall industrial use cases tested.This use case has garnered the significant enthusiasm particularly from the automotive industry,where the deployment rate (33%) is the highest across all industrial use cases.In fact, its rate of deploymentsand planned deployments (5O%) are almost twice the rate reported by respondents in other industries.

This trend demonstrates a remarkable alignment with the global market,indicating ongoing advancements and expansions in automotive manufacturing,exemplified by big name EVautomakers in recent years.Leveraging metaverse technologies which seamlessly blend realistic replicas and precise data, these automakers can plan new factories and optimize assembly line layouts more intuitively.

Experienced Chinese companies report safety improvement (73%)as the top benefit for this use case,as digital twin technology provides a testing environment for manufacturers to identify and implement the optimal safety procedures for their specific factories.Other reported benefits include process efficiencyand enhanced service capabilities (both 64%),which are key benefits perceived by deployed companies in the global market as well.

Figure 4.13: Deployment of virtual facility optimization by industry

Figure 4.14: Key benefits reported by companies currently using virtual facility optimization

Autonomous or remote-controlled (RC) operations robotics [Industrial]

Metaverse offers an opportunity for better human-robot collaboration: humans can serve as remote supervisors from miles away while robots handle physical tasks on site.This approach significantly lowers labor cost while simultaneously improves workforce safety,as robots (e.g., drones or automated guided vehicles),do the heavy lifting.

Autonomous or RC operations robotics is the least deployed among all industrial use cases,with only limited deployments reported by industrial goods respondents (4%).Nevertheless, there is notable enthusiasm for planned deployments across all industries (31%), higher than the average of all use cases (29%).Among the planned deployments,respondents from the transportation,supply chain and logistics industry are particularly keen to test the

Figure 4.15: Deployment of autonomous/RC operations robotics by industry

Virtual supply chain optimization [Industrial]

The industrial metaverse extends its capabilities beyond production,bridging the gaps between various phases in the entire supply chain.It covers upstream activities such as procurement, transportation and inventorymanagement, as well as downstream operations comprising sales,product deliveryand customer satisfaction.By providing data traceability and transparency, the metaverse help optimize forecasting and track the flow of goods more effectively.

In China,automotive respondents reported deploying the use case at twice the rate of the next-closest industry, industrial goods and manufacturing.This aligns with the deployment scenario observed in the global market.Such trend can be attributed to the rapid growth of electric vehicles (EV) and autonomous vehicles in China in recent years,where automotive leaders collaborate with a diverse range of suppliers and dealers.The use of the metaverse can empower businesses to streamline their processes,make data-driven decisions and enhanced customer satisfaction.

technology (5O%).This trend is also observed in the global market although more transportation companies have already initiated deployments.This heightened interest is likely driven by the expectations within the logistics sector, where robotsare poised to replace traditional warehouse vehicles (e.g.,forklifts) and conveyor belts.Robots have already demonstrated the capabilities in packaging,picking and ground transport,making them a promising solution in the realm of warehousing. Companies which have already deployed this use case value most on the benefits of operating expenses (OPEX) reduction,safety improvement andenhancedservice/CX capabilities.

Figure 4.16: Key benefits reported by companies currently using autonomous/RC operations robotics

Virtual grid optimization - power and utilities [Industrial]

China has emerged as an early and important adopter of smart grid technology,with the goal of ensuring ample energy supply and reducing transmission loss.By creating digital representations of assets within the power grid, companies can monitor energy flow in real-time and track energy consumption patterns.This real-time monitoring facilitates early identification of potential imbalances between supply and demand,enabling informed decisionmaking and strategic planning to optimize grid operations. Additionally, power and utilities companies can leverage the metaverse to model the potential impact of severe weather events and develop response plans to minimize the blackout durations and sizes.The survey result revealing a modest interest of planned deployment of this use case (42%) underscores the ambitious commitment of the sector to embrace the metaverse for grid optimization.

Virtual transportation network optimization - transportation, supply chain and logistics [Industrial]

Transportation respondents in China expressed a strong interest in employing virtual transportation network for optimization purposes,with half of them intend to deploy this use case within the next year. Transportation, supply chain,and logistics companies can leverage digital replicas of physical transportation assets to analyze and simulate different scenarios,such as changes in demand patterns or disruption in the network,to identify potential bottlenecks and optimize their operations.Real-time data integration allows companies to make informed decisions regarding route planning and enhance efficiency of public services and transport system.For example,companies can dynamically reroute vehicles to avoid traffic congestion or adjust schedules to accommodate changing conditions.

Figure 4.17: Deployment of large-scale metaverse use cases by industry

Experienced companies using large-scale metaverse use cases reported enhanced service and CX as the major benefits(71%),driven by enhanced consistency throughout supply chains, transportation networks and grids. Respondents also cite safety improvement and process efficiency as other benefits thanks to the simulation capabilities of these use cases for evaluating impact on safety and optimizing processes.

Figure 4.18: Key benefits reported by companies currently using large-scale metaverse use cases

Field XR [Industrial]

Field XR is used in various industries that involve fieldbased operations,where the technology enables remote experts to provide remote assistance and support to field workers.It is particularly useful for tasks such as on-site inspections and equipment maintenance and repairs. Using AR-enabled devices,experts can overlay digital instructions, annotations or diagrams onto a worker's field of view or the physical equipment, helping them troubleshoot issues, perform complex tasks or provide step-by-step instructions.

Currently, the implementation of Field XR in China (6% across industries) is below the average deployment rate across use cases.Deployments are primarily observed in automotive and industrial goods companies,where automotive respondents reported adoption rate of more than twice the rate seen in industrial goods companies (17% vs 8%),mirroring the global situation. However, when it comes to planned future deployments,Field XR has the second-highest rate among all use cases,with an average of 34% of companies across industries expressing intention to implement this use case within the next year. Notably,the powerand utilities sector display the strongest interest in adopting Field XR in their future operations for tasks like remote monitoring of equipment and conducting maintenance and repairs.

Figure 4.19: Deployment of field XR by industry

Companies who have already deployed Field XR report time to market as the top benefits,followed by process efficiency and enhanced service/CX capabilities.The improved collaboration and communications among teams (e.g.,field workersand designers) facilitates faster decision-making and quicker resolution of issues, therefore streamlining the product development process. The prolonged equipment lifespan also translates to more reliable operations,thereforeamplifying productivityand timely product delivery.In addition,Field XR improves problem-solving efficiency and reduces downtime,which can significantly enhance customer experience when used in post-sale maintenance and repairs.These benefits align with the global market,where similar advantages have been reported.

Figure 4.20: Key benefits reported by companies currently using field XR

Time to market

Process efficiency

Enhanced service/CX capabilities

Visualized predictive maintenance [lndustrial]

The metaverse provides a virtual environment that enables the visualization of real-time data from sensors and equipment.This helps maintenance teams gain immediate insights into the health of machinery and equipment and take proactive actions.By applying predictive analytics and visualizing these insights,any signs of equipment degradation or performance issues can be detected.The creation of virtual simulation can also help visualize the consequences of various maintenance actions,aiding in informed decision-making.

In China,the deployment rate of visualized predictive maintenance remains relatively lowacross industries,with reported deployments from industry goods respondents only(1O%).Yet,other industries express higher intentions to test this technology(33% across industries) than

industrial goods and manufacturing.Among them,this use case is appeal mostly to transportation,supply chain and logistics companies(4O%),which also showed the highest interests in the global market.

As with the global trend,industrial goods companies in China that already deployed this use case cite process efficiencyas the top benefit,primarilyattributed to reduced machine downtime and extended machine lifetimes. These companies also perceive this use case as a catalyst for enhancing their service capabilities in the post-sale operations and driving sustainability due to more efficient allocation of resources.

Figure 4.21: Deployment of visualized predictive maintenance by industry

Figure 4.22: Key benefits reported by companies currently using visualized predictive maintenance

Autonomous or remote-controlled (RC) maintenance robotics [Industrial]

Autonomous or RC maintenance robotics are robotic systems capable of performing maintenance tasks remotely and autonomously,without direct human intervention. These robots are used for to inspect and repair remote equipment located in challenging or hazardous environments where it may be difficult or unsafe for humans to assess.

Industrial goods respondents in China report the highest deployment rate(17%) for maintenance robotics,as well as a strong pipeline for the upcoming year with 40% planning to deploy. Despite limited deployments reported byautomotive respondents,they demonstrate the highest level of enthusiasm (67%)in deploying this use case within the year. Overall, this use case exhibits the highest rate of planned deployment among all industrial use cases,with 38% of companies in China planning to implement this metaverse technology.

Experienced companies in China highlight OPEX reduction,sustainability and enhanced service/CX as the primary benefits of this use case.Since maintenance and repairs activities can be carried out with minimal human intervention,the need for manual labor and associated costs is much reduced.Increased asset longevity also reduces the need for premature replacements or costly repairs,resulting in cost savings and improved sustainability. Globally, the industry shares similar benefits despite more around capital expenditure (CAPEX) reduction due to the extended lifetimes of machines. Furthermore,enhanced customer experience can be achieved by proactive maintenance of equipment that not only help avoid breakdown but also improved equipment performance.

Figure 4.23: Deployment of autonomous/RC maintenance robotics by industry

Figure 4.24: Key benefits reported by companies currently using autonomous/RC maintenance robotics

■Deployed ■Planned use within the year

Benefits across use cases

Industrial use cases exceed expectations

In general,companies that have deployed industrial use cases are seeing more reported benefits (4% on average) than those stillin the planning phase.

Across use cases,the most significant difference is in enhanced service/CX capabilities,which saw a 14-percentage point increase.For companies already deployed use cases,the industrial metaverse exceed their expectations in helping customers to engage with products and services in virtual environments,resulting in a more personalized and engaging experience.Moreover, by leveraging customer data collected and analyzed through he metaverse,businesses can gain valuable insights into customer preferences and behavior, leading to more targeted and customized offerings.

In addition,the metaverse has also exceeded respondents' expectations in creating immersive training programs foremployees,fostering learning and facilitating remote collaboration and team-building activities that contribute to improved staff retention rates.Companies who have deployed use cases saw an11 percentage point increase in this benefit.Furthermore,respondents are also seeing increased time to market benefits (by1O percentage points) as the metaverse enables streamlined processes and more agile product development that help them respond quickly to market demands [Figure 4.25].

Figure 4.25: Actual use case benefits reported by companies with deployments today compared to the benefits expected by companies stillin the planning phase

■Actual benefits reported by companies that have deployed ■Expected benefits from companies stillin the planning phase

5 Key enablers and partners to deploying the metaverse

China's metaverse player landscape is vibrant and diverse, with a multitude of companies actively engaged in the development and deployment of metaverse technologies. Local firms excel in building the infrastructure layer,as seen from the leadership of telcos in 5G network deployment and the expertise of tech giants in Al,cloud and other metaverse-related technologies.Additionally,cultivated by the national plans on metaverse and VR industry,a growing number of startups and specialized tech enterprises are emerging,focusing on VR headsets, virtual social platforms, digital twins,virtual commerce technologies and more.The government's Action Plan 2O23 willfurther strengthen this outcome with its goal to cultivate three to five metaverse companies with global influence by 2025.

Unlike the global emphasis on the entertainment aspects of the metaverse,Chinese companies prioritize its industrial application and potential for advancing industrial upgrade. These local companies,in collaboration with the foreign players,are striving to createa metaverse realm that embodies distinctive Chinese characteristics.

Aside tech companies and industrial specialists are prime drivers of the metaverse

In our research,Chinese enterprises have expressed perceptions on a range of industry participants relating to the current leaders of the metaverse advancement. Notably,the insights gathered from China's respondents closely resemble the global market trends,indicating a consistent perception of the key players shaping the metaverse landscape.The top six players identified by Chinese respondents align seamlessly with the global rankings [Figure 5.1].

Respondents cite big tech companies (61%) and new metaverse platforms (6O%)as the most important players driving advancement in the metaverse today.These players areactively engaged in the development of metaverse software and hardware,pioneering themselves in the virtual space.Industry solution providers,including industrial equipment and technology (58%) and industrial software and application companies(56%),come in third and fourth place respectively.The relatively high rankings of these industrial players underscore the importance of targeted industry solutions.Their specialized understanding in specific sectors has garnered trust from companies and are expected to make a substantial impact on the industrial metaverse.

Figure 5.1: Key players in driving the advancement of the metaverse, among all respondents

The ranking of players in fact varies considerably across different types of companies in China.While big tech, industrial equipment and technology providers,as well as new XR or metaverse platform vendors remain prominent among all types of firms,it is noteworthy that industrial software and applications are considered most important by multinational corporations.MNCs,being industry pioneers, are after sophisticated solutions to embrace innovation and showcase their leading position in the industry. On the other hand,Al or ML providers,blockchain protocols and network equipment vendors have captured more attentions of private firms and state-owned enterprises (SOEs)[Figure 5.2].

Figure 5.2: Top five players driving metaverse advancement, by company type

Private network tops the chart on key technical enablers

Players driving advancement in the metaverse today do not necessarily mean their technologies are most sought by enterprises.Respondents have different views on the technical enablers that are instrumental for the success of metaverse use cases.As shown in Figure 5.3,respondents in China highly value almost all enablers,with a marginal six percentage points difference among the top ten.Among the top three are those foundational technologies,including private 5G or 6G networks (72%),cloud computing (72%) and Al or ML(7O%) that form the basic infrastructure and robust analytical capabilities for most enterprise and industrial use cases.

Figure 5.3: Views on importance of technical enablers, among all respondents

While China's ratings align closely with the global study, there are some notable shifts in the rankings of the top five technical enablers.Figure 5.4 illustrates that Chinese respondents place greater importance on connectivity (particularly mobile) compared to global enterprises who prioritize computing and analytical capabilities slightly more.This distinction becomes even more apparent when considering companies with experience in metaverse use cases who value private 5G or 6G networks (75%) even more than cloud computing (73%).There is also an eight percentage-point increase for private 5G or 6G as an important enabler for experienced companies over inexperience companies (greatest among all enablers).This shows that companies with first-hand experience are more aware of the widespread 5G coverage in China and the need for advanced mobile connectivity capabilities in their use case deployments.

51%

of Chinese respondents say technical infrastructure is a blocker preventing them from deploying use cases.

Figure 5.4: Top 5 technical enablers by importance, China (experienced companies) vs global

Ranked at third place,Al and ML(7O%)is praised by both experienced and inexperienced companies for its significant role in the metaverse landscape. Respondents generally acknowledge that Al and ML under policy support is an essential technology to develop industrial metaverse.

Opinions over the importance of technical enablers also varyacross types of companies.Multinational corporations (78%) see the greatest values from private 5G or 6G networks in their deployments,which offer enhanced control and reliability for seamless data exchange across their international operations.State-owned enterprises,on the other hand,rank cloud computing and Al and ML the highest (both 83%). Cloud computing facilitates scalable business operations and centralized data management, while Al and ML supports data-driven decision-making, both aligning with the strategic priorities of SOEs within their specific geographic domains [Figure 5.5].Meanwhile, private firms value most on the importance of connectivity including public 5G or 6G and fixed broadband networks (both 74%).This preference likely stems from higher budgetary constraints and their requirements to assess connectivity quickly in the deployments.

Industrial and enterprise metaverse foundational capabilities

Technical enablers that allow for enhanced collection, transmission, storage, and processing of data are foundational to launching metaverse use cases

Cloud computing Enables the storage and processing of the large quantities of data inputs and outputs required to orchestrate metaverse use cases

Cellular (public and private) networks and fiber allow for low-latency connectivity to get information to a person or asset at the right time, for a seamless experience

Indispensable for modeling digital twins and creating realistic environments and simulations and interpreting data or making predictions

Smart sensors, positioning or location systems and loT enable the collection and exchange of data from industrial hardware in real-time, with strong connectivity as a prerequisite

Figure 5.5: Views on importance of technical enablers, by company type

Companies need to collaborate with a large set of partners to close capability gaps for use case deployments

Enterprises need to boost capabilities to leverage key technical enablers

While companies have a clear understanding of the necessary blend of technical enablers required for deploying use cases,it is crucial to assess their internal level of advancement to effectively harness these enablers.Overall speaking,companies in China are seeing shortcomings in theirability to leverage enablers to support metaverse use cases [Figure 5.6]. Of the top six enablers reported as important by respondents,companies reveal the biggest gaps in fiber broadband network,cloud computing and Al or ML capabilities.This highlights the urgent need for enterprises to enhance their proficiency of these enablers as they look to successfully deploy metaverse use cases.

In particular,state-owned enterprises consistently report a wider gap compared to mulitnationals and private firms when it comes to harnessing these enablers [Figure 5.7]. This discrepancy can be attributed,in part,to the legacy system and infrastructure that have been in placed.In this respect, private sector generally has a stronger advantage due to its funding, contracting and internal IT capacity for adopting new technologies.

Figure 5.7: Gap between levels of importance of enablers and levels of advancement within company, by company type

Figure 5.6: Levels of importance of enablers and levels of advancement in leveraging enablers within your company, among all respondents

Implementing a right partnership strategy is key for successful deployments

As enterprises look to deploy or scale use cases, the most effective approach for upgrading their technical capabilities is to engage partnerships with relevant players in the metaverse value chain.To date,no single player can offer a complete end-to-end industrial metaverse solution fora specific industry.This means that companies must pursue multiple partnerships to build and integrate the required enabling technologies individually.

A number of key partners are considered in China when they deploy industrial use cases.In fact,the top seven key partners respondents rated only differ by two percentage points,indicating that they are of similar importance to the companies'seeking partnerships.While China closely aligned with the global study with the same players in the top four, respondents place a slightly higher value on players offering industrial solutions.Specifically, industrial equipment and technology(66%) and industrial software and applications (65%) came in first and third place,with big tech made second place.[Figure 5.8].

Deployment of foundational technologies rely heavily on collaboration.In particular, the top sought technologies such as private networks,cloud computing and Al require high levels of internal skills and external collaboration to work effectively.As such,companiesare advised to devise a partnership strategy based on their metaverse goals to take advantage of these collaboration.

Figure 5.8: Key partners in deploying industrial metaverse use cases, among all respondents

Deployment partners may not necessarily be players perceived at the forefront of metaverse advancement

It is interesting to see that critical partners may not always be perceived to be leading the advancement of the metaverse.Figure 5.9 illustrates the disparity between the top ranked deployment partners and the top ranked players driving metaverse innovation.While the top four remain consistent,Al or ML(plus two ranks) and network or networking equipment (plus five ranks) rank notably higheras important partners for launching industrial and enterprise metaverse use cases,compared to how they are viewed in terms of driving innovation in the metaverse overall.This finding,which aligns perfectly with the global study, comes as no surprise as network connectivity and Al or ML are highly valued as key technical enablers for deploying of industrial and enterprise use cases.Companies are acutely aware of the need to enhance the infrastructure and computing layerat the foundation to enable seamless operation of applications built on top.

AI/ML providers

Process raw data inputs collected from devices without human intervention

Automate,predict,and visualize processes and insights gathered from connected devices,assets,and systems

Provide generative capabilities to build customized, immersive environments and digital assets

Network and networking equipment vendors

Provide infrastructure and services to support the next generation of connectivity requirements (speed,bandwidth, latency) necessary to support metaverse use cases:

：Private 5G/6G networks

Public 5G/6G networks

Fiber broadband networks

In summary, it is imperative for companies to thoroughly assess their current capabilities in relation to their metaverse aspirations,including but not limited to transmission,processing to storage of data.They must make strategic investments and forge necessary partnerships in order to actualize metaverse use cases.

Figure 5.9: Diferences between key metaverse players, among all respondents

	Ranked most important: Partners to deploy use cases	Ranked most important: Driving advancement in the metaverse	Difference
Industrial equipment and technology	1st	3rd	+2
Big tech	2nd	1st	-1
Industrial software and applications	3rd	4th	+1
New XR/metaverse platforms	4th	2nd	-2
AI/ML providers	5th	7th	+2
Network/networking equipment providers	6th	11th	+5

The Metaverse at work -perspectives from Chinese enterprises 43

With the metaverse still in its early stages of development,there is a shared perception (both in China and globally) that companies are likely to encounter various risks during the implementation of industrial metaverse use cases.

Figure 6.1: Top risks in deploying metaverse use cases, among experienced companies

From our research,experienced Chinese companies shares similar concerns with other nations in the global market regarding the risks associated with industrial metaverse use case deployments.Respondents across the board identify cyber and information security risks (69%)as the most prominent, given the online nature of the industrial metaverse,which presents increased potential forattacks. Data privacy issues are also bound to arise as it comes in second(59%).Sensitive data such as product,biometric or facial gestures captured by AR or VR technologies may be misused if not adequately protected. Safeguarding intellectual property and digital assets are therefore crucial for companies in the process of use case development [Figure 6.1].

Figure 6.2: Risks in deploying metaverse use cases, by

Not surprisingly, both state-owned enterprises and private firms weigh greater cybersecurity(76%and 80% respectively)and data privacy risks(71%and 67%) over multinational corporations.However,MNCsand private companies face a higher level of technology risk (51%), likely because of their investment in emerging technologies that may not yet be fully proven [Figure 6.2]. In the event that technology falls short of their client's expectations, it can give rise to potential liability risks.Therefore, it is essential for companies to work with their partners closely to understand the technology maturity and the potential constraints.

One-third of experienced companies also cite legal and regulatory as a key risk they face during their use case deployments.As China fosters a favorable policy environment to encourage metaverse development, the rapid growth of the metaverse bring forth concerns about privacy, information security and intellectual property. The dynamic evolution of the metaverse may bring about new legal regulations going forward to address emerging issues effectively.

Navigate metaverse adoption challenges with strategic planning and iterative approach

As companies begin their journey of metaverse experimentation,they willinevitably encounter challenges. Chinese companies are continuously pushing boundaries and facing unique obstacles along the way.

Figure 6.3: Top challenges faced in deploying metaverse use cases,among experienced companies

The ranking of challenges in China aligns with the global trend,but the gap in the ratings for these challenges is narrower. Experienced Chinese companies identify the lack of expertise (38%) as the most prevalent challenge,closely followed by technical difficulties (36%). Companies have come to realize that the metaverse demanda high level of proficiency in various emerging technologies,such as blockchain,AR or VR,digital twin,3D real-time engines and more.To mitigate this challenge, they must enhance their internal knowledge and capabilities by hiring skilled professionals whilst simultaneously fostering collaboration with external partners [Figure 6.3].In addition, approximately one-third of the companies face challenges related to budget constraints and reluctance to adopt.A recommended approach is progressive deployment with more budget-friendly use cases as a means to test the water,while implementing change management within organizations to pave the way for innovation.

Figure 6.4: Challenges faced in deploying metaverse use cases, by company type

Considering the various types of companies, technical difficulties are the most perceived challenge for state-owned enterprises (6O%) during deployment [Figure 6.4].This is not surprising as SOEs are characterized by legacy system and infrastructure,rather than being technology-focused entities.Dealing with technical debt,which encompasses the cumulative cost of all the technological changes, constrains their abilities to explore metaverse opportunities.Partnering with wel-positioned technology allies,adopting small-scale use cases and experimenting with new ideas incrementally can help alleviate the pain and pave the way for long-term success.

For companies yet to deploy a metaverse use case, the biggest challenges holding back their plans primarily centered around technical aspects.While lack of expertise (51%)is also a significant issue,ranking as second place, the foremost obstacle is the lack of technical infrastructure (56%).This indicates that capabilities like connectivity, computing and storage are vital for companies to explore of Chinese companies that have deployed metaverse use cases today have run into multiple challenges in deployment.

the metaverse.Another half of the respondents perceive legacy systems as a roadblock to deploying use cases.To embrace the future,companies must begin contemplating the modernization of their existing legacy systems if not replacing them.To this end,it isadvisable for companies to engage external partners to upgrade their infrastructure and equip their metaverse knowledge.

Figure 6.5: Top challenges that are holding back from deploying use cases, among inexperienced companies

Looking ahead,the future of industrial and enterprise metaverses in China appears promising as it aligns with the national strategy.There is no doubt that the adoption of these technologies will continue to surge,accompanied by the deployment of new and innovative use cases in the years to come.These advancements are set to revolutionize the way businesses operate and interact within virtual environments.

Yet,there remains a noticeable gap in the digital transformation efforts of traditional manufacturing sectors and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).Addressing this divide and bridging the gap will require concerted efforts,including awareness campaigns,targeted support and tailored solutions that cater to the unique needs and constraints of these industries.

Nonetheless, the immense potential of the industrial metaverse in China is encouraging.With the right strategies,collaboration and a focus on inclusivity, the industrial and enterprise metaverses have the capability to transform traditional industries,empower SMEs and drive innovation and efficiency across the entire industrial landscape.

Enterprises should start the metaverse journey early, explore applications with high relevance and learn from lessons.Those with a first to market advantage are poised to become more successful in the future.

Appendix : use case definitions

Use case	Definition
XR hands-on training	Immersive technical training using XR technology to create realistic experiences and scenari- os in a purely virtual or virtually enhanced physical environment,especially to enhance skills using different equipment and to practice safety procedures.
Virtual R&D, prototyping and testing	Design or redesign of products,components,equipment and more in a virtual environment to enhance processes like prototyping,safety and performance testing,assessing production readiness, etc.
XR-enhanced UX research	Enhancing UX research using extended reality (XR) technology for eye tracking,overlaying virtualelements on the real world,user testing virtual prototypes (e.g., vehicles,machinery), etc.for end users,intermediaries and/or company employees.
Virtual facility optimization	Designing,planning,simulating,and optimizing facilities (e.g.,factories,warehouses,retail stores,etc.)in a virtual environment (e.g., digital twin) to enhance production and other processes without impacting live operations.Virtual tracking and data capture on factories, warehouses,and other facilities to see real-time performance and quickly flag problem areas.
Virtual supply chain optimization	Asset tracking (e.g., facilities,equipment,operational vehicles,devices etc.) and supply chain optimization in a virtual environment (e.g., digital twin) allowing for redesign and simulation without impacting live operations.Virtual tracking and data capture on actual supply chain to flag real-time problem areas and track the flow of goods.
Autonomous/RC operations robotics	Use of autonomous or remote-controlled robots which can be deployed,controlled and/or monitored virtually to assst in the operations like manufacturing,surveillance,rearranging assets in facilities,loading,storage and retrieval, packaging and more.
Autonomous/RC maintenance robotics	Use of autonomous or remote-controlled robots which can be deployed,controlled and/or monitored virtually to perform maintenance in facilities,remote environments and more.
Field XR	Extended reality(XR)augmentation of workers, maintenance teams,inspectors and techni- Cians allowing the user to share views with a specialist or overlay virtual elements that may not otherwise be visible or accessible.
Visualized predictive maintenance	More accurate assessment of asset health (e.g., vehicles,or machinery) and flagging of problem areas on a virtual representation (e.g.,digital twin) of the asset driven by enhanced data capture.
Virtual grid optimization	Tracking and arranging grid assets (e.g.,facilities,operational vehicles, transmission lines, distribution lines,protection and controls systems,etc.) in virtual environments allowing for virtual redesign and process/production simulation without impacting operations.Virtual tracking and data capture on actual grid performance,inputs,outputs,and flagging of prob-
Virtual transportation network optimization	Planning transportation networks,asset placement (e.g.,operational vehicles,rolling stock, maintenance crews, machinery),and passenger or freight flows virtually to allow for optimi- zation and simulation of different potential threats and events.
Virtual office and workspaces	Use of immersive digital environments where employees can interact for enhanced network- ing and social experiences or use infinite workspaces,data interaction spaces and spaces created to enhance collaboration and co-design.
XR onboarding and soft-skills training	Use of immersive digital environments in enterprise-level HR,onboarding and training processes for items like customer service training,general safety training and company-wide programs on sustainability and diversity,equity and inclusion.
Immersive recruiting and hiring experiences	Use of immersive digital environments in the recruiting and hiring process to reach a broader, younger and often more tech-forward work force and conduct technical interviews that previ- ously would require on-site visits virtually.

Endnotes

1.Zuo,Tom,“Back to the physical: China metaverse seeks to boost real-world economy," Yahoo Finance,15 June 2023.

2.Ye,Josh,“China aims to ship 25 milion virtual reality devices by 2026,"Reuters,1 November 2022.https://www.reuters.com/technology/china-aims-ship-25-million-virtual-reality-devices-by-2026-2022-11-01/

3.“China unveils action plan to step up metaverse development,”The State Council,10 September 2023.

4.“我国5G全连接工厂发展现状、问题及相关建议，”新浪科技,2023年02月08日.https://finance.sina.com.cn/tech/5g/2023-02-08/doc-imyexvzy6343775.shtml

5.“XRTaining:RlandCostEffectivenes”Pixo30November21.ttps:/pixovr.com/roost-efectiveness-r-tranng/

Authors

Ernst & Young (China) Advisory Limited

Steve Au Yeung China Central Consulting Leader, Ernst& Young (China) Advisory Limited

Kevin Lee

Senior Analyst - Telecommunications, Ernst & Young Group Limited

Lenard Huang

Senior Business Analyst, Ernst & Young Qianhai(Shenzhen) Advisory Limited

Nokia Shanghai Bell Co., Ltd.

Jean Xu

Head of CX Marketing,

Nokia Shanghai Bell Co., Ltd.

Botao Liu

CX Marketing Manager,

Nokia Shanghai Bell Co., Ltd.

EY| Building a better working world

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technologies,helping clients identify market trends,capture opportunities and accelerate business transformation through integrated high-quality services.

Working across assurance,consulting,strategy,tax and transactions,EY teams ask better questions to find new answers for the complex issues facing our world today.

EY refers to the global organization,and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited,each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited,a UK company limited by guarantee,does not provide services to clients,nor does it own or control any member firm or act as the headquarters of any member firm.Information about how EY collects and uses personal data and a description of the rights individuals have under data protection legislation are available via ey.com/privacy.EY member firms do not practice law where prohibited by local laws.For more information about our organization,please visit ey.com.

@2024 Ernst & Young (China) Advisory Limited.

APAC no.03019862

ED None

This material has been prepared for general informational purposes only and is not intended to be relied upon as accounting,tax,legal or other professional advice.Please refer to your advisors for specific advice.

ey.com/china

Nokia Shanghai Bell

As a Sino-foreign joint venture of Nokia Corporation and China Huaxin Post and Telecom Technologies Co.,Ltd.(affiliated to China Poly Group),Nokia Shanghai Bell Co.,Ltd (referred to as Nokia Shanghai Bell) is Nokia Network's exclusive platform in China,with strong local and global resources.

With its all three business groups focusing on mobile,cloud and network services,transport,IP and fixed network access, Nokia Shanghai Bell is leading in mobile and fixed access,big data,information security, transport,high-end router and artificial intelligence,powering China's digital transformation strategies.The company provides services to telecom operators and customers in various fields.

At Nokia Shanghai Bell, we create technology that helps the world act together.

从中国企业视角看元宇宙发展

目录

要点概述

主要调查结果:

关于本研究

1 元宇？是什么？或者只是

消费者元宇宙

企业元宇宙

工业元宇宙

2 中国工业元宇宙和企业元宇宙的发展现状

在亚太地区，中国元宇宙采用率处于领先地位，其中工业部门走在前列

中国各经济区域的工业元宇宙部署日渐兴起，彰显了强大的区域领导力和私营部门的敏捷性

设备使用和投资

企业对各种元宇宙设备的兴趣与日俱增：VR/AR头显备受瞩目

保守的投资说明了企业在元宇宙设备采购方面的谨慎态度

3 元宇宙与中国行业数字化

拥抱元宇宙，实现行业数字化

4 企业元宇宙用例 中国工业元宇宙和

如何定义工业元宇宙和企业元宇宙用例？

各个行业中的主要用例

变革性价值并不总是体现在部署上

培训与入职引导

XR实践培训[工业]

XR入职引导和软技能培训[企业]

虚拟研发、原型设计和测试[工业]

XR增强型用户体验研究[工业]

虚拟办公室和工作空间[企业]

虚拟设施优化[工业]

自动/遥控（RC）操作机器人[工业]

虚拟供应链优化[工业]

虚拟电网优化—电力和公用事业[工业]

虚拟运输网络优化—交通运输、供应链和物流[工业]

现场XR[工业]

可视化预测性维护[工业]

自动/遥控（RC）维护机器人[工业]

各用例的收益

工业用例超出预期

5 元宇宙部署的关键推动因素和合作伙伴

专网在关键支持技术方面位列榜首

企业需要与大量合作伙伴展开紧密协作，以弥补用例部署的能力差距

企业需要提高利用关键支持技术的能力

实施正确的合作伙伴战略是成功部署的关键

部署阶段的合作伙伴并不一定是被认为处于元宇宙发展最前沿的参与者

AI/ML提供商

网络和网络设备厂商

元宇宙的风险和挑战

通过战略规划和迭代方法化解部署元宇宙的挑战

进一步探索工业和企业元宇宙

后续行动

开发行业特定应用:

促进协作：

及时了解最新法规:

促进人才培养：

培育创新文化：

尾注

作者

安永」建设更美好的商业世界

关于诺基亚贝尔

The metaverse at v work

Contents

Executive summary

Key findings:

About this study

What is the metaverse and is it just hype?

Consumer metaverse

Enterprise metaverse

Industrial metaverse

enterprise metaverses in China today

Industrial metaverse deployments thrives in China's economic zones, highlighting regional leadership and private sector agility

Device usage and investment

Modest investment indicates a prudent approach on metaverse device acquisition

3 The metaverse and China's industrial digitalization

Embracing the metaverse for industrial digitalization

What defines a use case in the industrial and enterprise metaverses?

Top use cases across industries

Transformative value does not always imply deployment

Training and onboarding

XR hands-on training [Industrial]

XR onboarding and soft-skills training [Enterprise]

Virtual R&D, prototyping and testing [Industrial]

4 企业元宇宙用例中国工业元宇宙和

从中国企业视角看元宇宙发展（中英）-安永&上海贝尔-2024-104页 听光Vic

从中国企业视角看元宇宙发展（中英）-安永&上海贝尔-2024-104页听光Vic