KEY POINTS
Gujarat’s Chief Electoral Officer, P Bharti, has introduced a virtual reality-based election metaverse ahead of this year’s elections on May 7.
The metaverse aims to inform and involve the country’s over 13 million first-time voters.
Before entering the virtual environment, voters can select a character and a name. Inside the space, they can familiarize themselves with the voting process through a large screen displaying an instructional video.
The virtual setting includes a voting booth where voters — through their avatars — can follow a step-by-step simulation process. Tasks include verifying identity documents and using the EVM machine to cast their votes.
This election metaverse — a first of its kind in the country — is a collaboration with Web3 studio Unity.
This initiative reflects a broader trend of using the metaverse for educational purposes. Earlier in March, Nissan initiated traffic safety education in the metaverse with “Heritage Cars & Safe Drive Studio,” providing immersive experiences and showcasing heritage car models.
In January, EduTech provider Dain Leaders introduced “Meta Campus,” a platform revolutionizing global education. It enables universities to create virtual learning environments, integrating text, voice, video, and L2E functions.
Recognizing the metaverse’s educational potential, Meta recently announced plans to launch a new VR product for classrooms, offering educational apps and features for teachers.
These initiatives tap into the transformative benefits of VR, including enhanced collaboration and overcoming geographical barriers.
According to Statista, the metaverse education market is projected to grow substantially, reaching $2.5 billion by the end of the year and an estimated $24.7 billion by 2030.
