Desk sharing in the metaverse: How will we work in 20 years?

How will we be working in 20 years? - A popular question that many employees and employers are asking themselves.
While the establishment of hybrid working models through the Corona Pandemic has already taken great steps towards the modern working world, ideas such as the metaverse are now also coming to the fore. Companies in particular are showing more and more interest and are asking themselves how the potentials can also be used for the working world.

List of content:

1. Limitless possibilities in the metaverse?
2. First attempts with Microsoft Mesh
3. Desk sharing rethought: working in the virtual office of the metaverse
4. Current challenges
5. Outlook

1. Limitless possibilities in the metaverse?

The metaverse is a virtual world in which people can interact with each other as avatars, play games or even shop - the possibilities are almost unlimited and are intended to become an "alternative reality" in the long term. 
So far, the metaverse is little more than the idea of a new kind of world, which, according to Mark Zuckerberg, will establish itself within the next twenty years and, as an "embodied internet", will be even more three-dimensional, interactive and tangible than today's internet. For this to succeed, much still needs to happen, especially in the development of virtual reality and augmented reality, as these are what make the metaverse an experience in the first place.  
In addition to fun activities and adventures with friends, the diverse possibilities of the Metaverse also attract many companies. These are particularly taken with the potential of the metaverse as a marketplace and virtual office. But what could a virtual working world look like?

2. First attempts with Microsoft Mesh

In 2021, Microsoft introduced the Mesh concept for the first time. Microsoft Mesh is a platform designed to give remote and hybrid workers a sense of co-presence and natural collaboration through virtual experiences. For this purpose, Mesh enables employees to create user-defined avatars and thus realistically implement everyday tasks such as onboarding new employees, training or team building. Currently, Mesh is still in development, but in the long term it aims to promote work independence and flexibility while maintaining collaboration and proximity.

3. Desk sharing rethought: working in the virtual office of the metaverse

Microsoft Mesh makes it clear that the possibilities in the metaverse are almost unlimited and ideas such as virtual desk sharing or hybrid working models are quite conceivable. Of course, it will take a lot of time and consideration of technological and design aspects before such working models can be implemented in the virtual world. But what can we expect if we assume that obstacles like data protection have been solved?

1. Welcome to new, virtual office spaces! 
   Businesses can create office spaces that mimic, enhance or even completely reinvent real-world environments. Spaces can be creatively designed to include desks, meeting rooms and other collaborative areas. Themed workspaces could also be created, such as beach or forest workspaces, to provide a special ambience and increase concentration and well-being. 
   To make working as realistic as possible, users can of course also interact with all virtual objects and furniture - just like in a real office.
   
   
2. Bye, Clean Desk Policies! 
   There is no lack of space in the metaverse - each user has a virtual desk that can be designed according to their own individual preferences. For example, users could place virtual plants, photos or artwork and organise digital tools and files as they would in a real office.
   
   
3. Never get ready for work again?
   The customisable avatar means no more stress in the bathroom in the morning - the avatar always looks well-groomed and represents the employee or provider in the virtual environment, can move around, interact with objects and sit at different desks.
   
   
4. Real-time collaboration! 
   By linking Metaverse with other tools, users can collaborate on projects, share screens and communicate seamlessly in real time.
   
   
5. Problem-free communication thanks to Spatial Audio! 
   By implementing spatial audio technologies, users can talk and discuss with each other naturally and spontaneously, just like in real life. In addition to scheduled meetings, this also creates casual, informal conversations that reinforce the real-life character in the virtual office and convey closeness.
   
   
6. Cross-platform compatibility.
   Connecting different metaverse platforms enables borderless collaboration and promotes inclusion.
   
   

4. Current challenges

Until the metaverse is fully established and functional, there are still many hurdles to overcome. One of the biggest challenges is technological. For example, users need a very fast internet connection and high computing power for a smooth experience of the virtual world. In addition, the real-life feeling is created primarily by virtual reality glasses, which are already technically impressive, but are not yet mature enough for the vision of a metaverse.
Further hurdles are posed by issues such as privacy, data protection and control. Will the metaverse end up being free? Should it be regulated? Or will it ultimately be commercialised and controlled by particularly powerful companies or individuals? 

Currently, there are still many unanswered questions, a need for development and, of course, concerns. Experts and citizens fear the effects of a metaverse on society - will the boundaries between the real and virtual worlds become blurred and people get "lost" in the virtual world?

5. Outlook

Many analysts assume that the metaverse is the internet of the future and will bring about profound social changes within the next ten years.
However, a fully developed version is expected in the next twenty years at the earliest, as there are currently still major technological and legal hurdles. 
For the time being, therefore, the Metaverse remains only a promise. 
However, future developments such as Microsoft Mesh are promising and offer exciting prospects for the working world of the future. 
In summary, desk sharing and hybrid work in the metaverse have the potential to revolutionise the way we work and connect people worldwide. Who knows, maybe in ten years we'll be sitting at a virtual desk on the beach and easily exchanging ideas with international colleagues? 

Until then, you can make your office life more futuristic with desk.ly! Thanks to our hybrid work experts and our state-of-the-art desk-sharing solution, we are already entering the working world of tomorrow and ensuring more flexibility, inclusion and collaboration - regardless of time and place! 
To learn more, check out our website, social media or contact one of our experts!