There can never be enough stickers, so Meta, the parent company of services like Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, has introduced several of these for Indian users.

The updated 3D avatars — new to Facebook and Messenger in India — are expressive and customisable, plus there are new facial shapes and assistive devices for people with disabilities. The avatars are also being introduced on Instagram Stories and DMs for the first time.

The update adds cochlear implants and over-the-ear hearing aids in several colours and on all platforms, including virtual reality. Included are wheelchairs, which will appear in stickers on Facebook, in Messenger chats and in DMs on Instagram.

“Representations in the metaverse should reflect the diversity of the real world. Avatars are just the first step toward enabling everyone to express themselves in their unique ways,” said Manish Chopra, director and head partnerships, India at Meta. “When you create your avatar you can choose the right facial features, body types, clothing styles, and more to create your virtual self.”

The company is also improving the look of avatars, which calls for subtle adjustments to certain facial shapes and skin shaders to make avatars more authentic.

Metaverse is one of Mark Zuckerberg’s priorities and he plans to spend at least $10 billion on building this platform.