You finish your coffee in the living room of Madrid, switch on your laptop, slip on augmented reality glasses, and enter a virtual office. A project appears beside the workbench as your boss sends a request and taps you in. If you wish, you can even share your daughter’s drawing. But the prompt asks you instead to project into Säo Vitor, Brazil, to visually inspect a wind turbine and guide technicians on site without leaving your room.
It sounds like science fiction, yet it isn’t. This is already technically feasible. A boss could be inside your home virtually, though the full rollout might still be a few years away. When it comes to assisting with remote repairs, the possibility is real, says a technology strategist from Bravent, a firm working with Microsoft, quoted by a major Spanish newspaper under the Prensa Ibérica group. His name is Mario López, and he heads innovation at Bravent.
Mercedes-Benz already demonstrates a related capability, where technicians receive remote guidance to service engine components, as shown in a recent video.
This development sits within what some call the Web 3.0 era, a shift where data can be processed at extraordinary speed, reducing clicks and enabling three‑dimensional navigation that allows direct user interaction. It is a moment when the internet’s digital layer begins to blend with everyday reality, creating a shared space where virtual and real worlds merge.
Industry watchers note the scale of the field: last year, the industry saw a surge in VR headset adoption, a sign of the market’s growing footprint. Analysts describe the metaverse as a major trend with broad implications, including for entertainment and enterprise use. A notable Spanish expert in the space points to ongoing growth in VR and metaverse discussions.
Spain’s Ministry of Economic Affairs and Digital Transformation recently announced a multi‑million euro grant to support small and medium‑sized enterprises and freelancers pursuing experimental development in Web 3.0 and metaverse technologies. The aim is to position the country for substantial growth in 2026, with projected investments exceeding a billion dollars in related projects.
Forecasts from major financial information firms align with these expectations. The metadata warehouse and related technologies are expected to drive a large portion of future digital activity, with entertainment, commerce, and social platforms anticipated to claim significant shares of the market in coming years. Businesses are eager to establish a strong position as this digital paradigm shifts from idea to everyday practice.
To prepare for wider consumer engagement, companies are first building internal capabilities. They want innovation teams ready to connect with customers when the time comes, opening doors to new business opportunities.
Meta’s CEO has spoken about a future with substantial job growth in Europe tied to metaverse development, highlighting the broader economic potential of this shift and the new roles it will create in technology and remote work.
Today, the social fabric of the metastore is evolving. Major players like Microsoft, Meta, and Apple are racing to define the next phase, aiming to merge virtual environments with real-world interactions in a way that feels seamless and intuitive.
As the metadata warehouse becomes more integrated with business systems, remote collaboration could move beyond shared screens and video conferences to immersive, three‑dimensional teamwork in virtual spaces, whether through avatars or live projections. The goal is to enable people to co‑design products or deliver presentations inside digital environments. Microsoft has outlined a vision for virtual transport that could someday realize this potential, even though it is still developing its full capability.
Until then, companies are testing and refining internal systems so they can engage with customers when the moment arrives.
Experts caution that a genuine customer experience will take time. One Bravent executive notes that most current requests for metaverse design relate to internal meetings rather than direct customer interactions, underscoring a gradual transition phase.
Bet on the metaverse
Competition is heating up as Apple, Meta, and Microsoft push ahead with their own metaverse visions. Businesses pursuing Web 3.0 opportunities race to keep pace with ongoing innovations and new business models.
Some projects aim to educate the public about solar panels and wind towers by creating immersive worlds. Leaders in the field describe these spaces as educational tools that help people understand how renewable energy works and what it is made of. Prominent companies and brands have participated in or supported such explorations, including collaborations with major sports and financial institutions.
In practice, early metaverse use cases center on meetings, conferences, and internal demonstrations. Iberdrola led Europe in hosting its shareholder meeting within a metaverse environment, and other firms have built similar digital ecosystems for internal gatherings and presentations.
From simplistic two‑dimensional experiences to fully immersive mixed reality, the challenge remains: bridging social gaps created by telework. Microsoft is actively examining how to close this gap and improve the social dimension of remote work.
How to recreate the social environment?
Technology consultants have begun designing virtual offices that balance productivity with social interaction. For example, a recent project involved creating a space that supports collaboration, casual interactions, and team‑building activities, all within a digital workspace.
Another common obstacle is overcoming the physical barrier between remote coworkers. It’s not solely about replicating the office coffee ritual; it’s about convincing a generation accustomed to digital experiences that this new environment can be just as compelling for work, play, and collaboration.
Generation Z, in particular, is often seen as adaptable to these changes. Early studies suggest that a well‑designed metadata store feels more intuitive to younger users than traditional government websites, potentially accelerating adoption in educational and public sectors.
In summary, the metaverse represents a substantial shift in how people work, learn, and connect. It is not a quick fix but a long‑term evolution that blends technology, culture, and business strategies to create new kinds of digital experiences for enterprises and consumers alike.