Microsoft has disbanded its internal metaverse team in favour of ChatGPT

Microsoft wanted to give customers an operating system that could control a variety of industrial robots and other equipment when it initially unveiled its Industrial Metaverse Core in October 2022. Two of Bonsai's previous executives were on the team, according to the Giz China report, and a free trial version was already available on Azure. Yet, Microsoft was forced to fire the entire staff four months later. Microsoft's entry into the rapidly developing and ever-evolving field of metaverse technology suffered a serious setback when the firm disbanded its Industrial Metaverse team in early 2022, effectively killing the project after just four months. [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="1440"] Image credit- TechGoing[/caption] Microsoft Refocuses on Work-Related Apps Instead of Virtual Reality The team concentrated on assisting clients in developing operating systems to control industrial robots, machinery, and processes by utilizing AI and the Azure platform from Microsoft. This choice comes after AltspaceVR, one of the first social virtual reality platforms, was shut down. Microsoft bought AltspaceVR in 2017 to save it from shutting down for financial reasons. According to XR Today, Altspace VR's service will end on March 10, 2023. Unfortunately, the business moved its emphasis away from virtual reality and towards business-related applications, which resulted in a large number of layoffs within the HoloLens team. It didn't just start whittling down its metaverse efforts one day. [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="720"] Image credit – TechnoPixel[/caption] In order to leverage Industrial Metaverse, Microsoft had been working hard to establish alliances with a variety of corporate clients, including Coca-Cola, Unilever, Anheuser-Busch InBev, General Motors, and Mexican food manufacturer Grupo Bimbo. So, it is clear that the decision to abandon this project was forced, most likely for financial considerations since the corporation probably found itself in an awkward position with the industrial partners. Also read: Microsoft AltspaceVR to Close Soon; What’s the Reason? Such a move is also understandable given that Microsoft is aware of the potential of metaverse technology, which is anticipated to have significant positive effects on industries including consumer entertainment, remote collaboration, and industrial automation, according to an article by IT Home.