Qatar Airways is the latest to hop on the metaverse bandwagon with its very own virtual reality experience, called QVerse. What’s more, the airline claims to be the world’s first airline to introduce a “MetaHuman” cabin crew. The national carrier of Qatar partnered with Neutral Digital to bring the metaverse to life. So what is Qatar Airways’ QVerse metaverse all about?
What is QVerse by Qatar Airways?
QVerse is a unique virtual reality experience that Qatar Airways has created for visitors to the airline’s website. Together with Neutral Digital, a technology company providing immersive sales and marketing platforms, the airlines has been working over the past one year to build QVerse.
“With physical boundaries beginning to be challenged by the metaverse on an increasingly larger scale, it is exciting to embrace a technology that enables all travel enthusiasts to enjoy a unique immersive experience of our award-winning products and services,” said Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Akbar Al Baker. “We are constantly looking to adopt and introduce novel technologies that enhance our passengers’ complete journey.”
How Does the QVerse Metaverse Work?
Essentially, QVerse offers an immersive experience to all Qatar Airways website visitors. Visitors can virtually tour Hamad International Airport’s Premium Check-In area. They can also navigate the cabin interior of the airline’s aircraft.
More importantly, Qatar Airways has introduced the world’s first MetaHuman cabin crew. Titled Sama, the avatar narrates the unique features of the website to visitors. The name Sama has Arabic origins and refers to ‘sky’.
A high fidelity digital human, Sama was developed using Epic Games’ Unreal Engine. For the uninitiated, Unreal Engine is one of the leading real-time 3D creation tools used by top video game developers as well as Hollywood production and special effects studios. Besides, Neutral Digital used Epic Games’ MetaHuman Creator, a cloud-based app, to create Sama.
“The QVerse demonstrates the value of immersive 3D technology in creating the next generation of customer engagement and marketing experiences,” said Neutral Digital Managing Director, Iain Brown. “With its track record of pioneering innovation, it is natural that Qatar Airways is leading the way in this space.”
About Airlines Entering Web3
Qatar Airways is not the first airlines to foray into the web3 space. Back in March 2022, Latvian airline, airBaltic announced its plans to drop its own NFT collection. Called Planies, the collection features 10,000 unique cartoon aircraft designs. NFT holders get added perks such as airBaltic Club points and other loyalty programme benefits.
Similarly, in April, Emirates hinted at its plans to enter the NFT space. At the time, the company said it will soon release NFTs and immersive experiences for its customers in the metaverse. However, it is yet to share more details.
Major airlines like Qatar Airways entering the Web3 space is a significant boost to the industry. We can likely expect more airlines to follow suit in the future.
Are you tired of missing important NFT drops?
Check out our NFT Calendar!
Receive the biggest NFT news of the day & recommendations in our Daily newsletter.
All investment/financial opinions expressed by NFTevening.com are not recommendations.
This article is educational material.
As always, make your own research prior to making any kind of investment.
