Hong Kong’s subway system is getting into the metaverse of The Sandbox (SAND). MTR Corporation, the firm in charge of managing the rail network, has just acquired a virtual land to develop a digital subway station. The company says it wants to use the metaverse to communicate with its younger users.
MTR Corporation joins The Sandbox (SAND) metaverse
MTR Corporation, the company in charge of managing Hong Kong’s subway system, has just announced that it is joining the metaverse. The firm, majority owned by the Hong Kong government, has partnered with The Sandbox (SAND), one of the most popular digital worlds.
MRT boasts that it will become “the first global transport operator” to enter the metaverse. Born in Hong Kong, MTR has also expanded overseas, taking on metros in the UK, China, Sweden and Australia.
As part of the partnership, the subway operator will develop “a virtual space focused on railroads to create unique, fun and immersive experiences.” Specifically, MTR is announcing the creation of a virtual subway station.
Within this station, users will be able to drive a train, take a subway trip, visit a museum about the history of the railroad network or even manage a station. The company will also use the metaverse to help teach math, science, engineering and technology. MTR is committed to making the world of the subway fun and entertaining.
To carry out this project, the company has purchased a virtual field in The Sandbox metaverse. The initiative is part of a campaign called “Go Smart Go Beyond,” which aims to harness the latest technological innovations to connect with riders, especially younger ones. In the statement released by MTR, Dr. Jacob Kam, CEO of the company, explains:
“Our foray into the metaverse allows us to build a fun place to interact with our community while seizing opportunities that will enhance our real world experience.”
For his part, Sebastien Borget, the co-founder of The Sandbox, says that “public transportation will play a major role in shaping the future of the real world and the metaverse.”
The Sandbox (SAND) has been churning out partnerships
In recent months, The Sandbox has forged several partnerships with well-known companies by taking advantage of the metaverse craze. For example, banking giant HSBC joined The Sandbox metaverse in March to communicate with video game and sports fans.
Several French groups have also joined this virtual world, including Axa France and Carrefour. The Sandbox has also signed an agreement with Ledger to promote security within the digital worlds accessible in virtual reality.
With these prestigious partnerships, The Sandbox aims to raise $400 million in the near future. Thanks to this new round of financing, the community metaverse plans to recruit employees and buy promising firms in the sector. With this expansion strategy, The Sandbox hopes to outpace its main competitors, including Decentraland (MANA).
