International coffee company Nestlé is deploying a combination of virtual and augmented reality technology to enable factory visits to be conducted without the need to travel to its sites.
The project seeks to reduce the carbon footprint linked to physical site visits, while also reinforcing trust with the brand’s various stakeholders by virtually opening its factory doors.
Using a VR headset, the Immersive Factory Experience will provide visitors with insight into how Nestlé products are made. Visitors can observe the safety, quality, and health measures present in the company’s manufacturing procedures and immerse themselves in many technological innovations responsible for the creation of its well-known brands.
These virtual experiences will be personalised, giving visitors the chance to become acquainted with products from their country of choice. Implementing generative AI and voice synthesis technology, the experience is currently available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, with more languages to be added soon.
The Immersive Factory Experience was test-launched earlier this year at Nestlé’s nutrition factory in Jalisco, Mexico. The experience has been rolled out across several markets in Latin America, with plans to expand to other markets. The company also intends to include its Research & Development centres globally in these ‘behind-the-scenes’ platforms in 2025.
The experience has received strong user acceptance due to its accessible and user-friendly design, as well as its customisation features.
