Metaverse in Bulgaria: Are we familiar with it?

Metaverse in Bulgaria: Are we familiar with it?
Metaverse in Bulgaria: Are we familiar with it?

Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Extended Reality (XR) technologies have been increasingly used and there has been a boom in the production and distribution of devices and mobile applications in Bulgaria.

As a part of the activities of project METAVERSE ACADEMY, Addressing the Future Skills on AR/VR/XR Technologies BRCCI have conducted research on AR, VR and XR in Bulgaria.

Based on DESI index of the EC for 2022 the country remains significantly below the EU average on digital skills, having a score of 32.6 % against the EU average of 45.7%.

Only 33% of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) possess at least a basic level of digital intensity (approx. 60% on average for the EU).

Many people in Bulgaria are familiar with VR technology primarily through its applications in gaming and entertainment. AR is also becoming more recognized, especially through popular social media filters and mobile applications that use AR features.

As for XR, which encompasses a broader spectrum of immersive technologies, including AR and VR, awareness may be more limited among the general population in Bulgaria. However, professionals in industries such as gaming, marketing, education, and healthcare are more likely to have a deeper understanding of XR and its potential applications.

These technologies are already used in Bulgaria in fhe following fields:

  • Manufacturing industry
  • Maintenance
  • Architecture
  • Insurance companies
  • Automotive
  • Medicine
  • Retail
  • Marketing and Advertising
  • Retail and e-commerce
  • Education
  • Construction
  • Mining

According to the World Competitiveness Index 2019, including data for 141 countries, the Bulgarian ICT sector occupies the 30th position. The growth is fueled by software solutions exports. It is observed that Bulgarian ICT companies are gradually climbing the global chains of added value by working increasingly directly with end customers rather than being primarily subcontractors of foreign or multi-national companies.

In summary, the AR, VR, and XR are powerful tools that provide many opportunities and break the limits of our imagination, and in general these new technologies have the potential to upgrade and facilitate almost all activities of our daily lives. Their rapid development and many advantages make them increasingly applicable in almost all spheres of modern life.