A sensor indicates abnormal pressure in one of the pipes. Something seems amiss at Saudi Arabia’s Jubail 3B desalination plant. Laura checks the sensors to detect possible malfunctions and alerts everyone else in the area. But Laura she is not in Jubail 3B. Nor is she Saudi.the operator is more than 6,000 kilometers away At the control center in Madrid. and eye examination Virtual reality helmet on digital 3D replica Jubail 3B with real-time data updates thanks to IoT sensorAdditionally, an accompanying team of experts connects with each avatar from different parts of the world.The plant is her company’s metaverseblockchain-backed virtual spheres will have a very tangible impact on our lives.
In fact, the Metaverse promises to be more than just an entertainment space. If the predictions of tech giants such as Microsoft and Meta come true, New ways to work, socialize, learn and have fun.
This article will cover:
What is the Metaverse?
In 1920, Czech writer and playwright Karel Čapek first used the term “robot” as applied to artificial workers in his play “Universal Robot Rossum”. More than half a century later, in his 1982, William Gibson coined the term “cyberspace” in the cult novel Neuromancer. Both words, born in the realm of science fiction, become reality.
The term “metaverse,” which in some ways is an evolution of the term “cyberspace,” follows a similar path, albeit only ten years later. Neil Stevenson used it for the first time in his cyberpunk novel ‘Snow Crash’ (1992).
Today it no longer belongs secluded sci-fi section of the bookstore. Instead, it is increasingly appearing in technology companies’ business plans and investment fund strategies. His Sentio, a consulting firm, points out that in 2021 alone he has 160 companies mentioning the Metaverse on their income statements, 93 of which are after his Facebook was renamed Meta. I’m here. But what exactly is this concept?
It’s more than technology and platforms. A series of technologies converging on the digitalization of reality and how we relate to each other.
in particular, A network of interconnected virtual worlds Accessible from various devices. Not just virtual reality headsets, but augmented reality systems, and even mobile phones and computers.
In that sense, it’s not a radical departure from the Internet as we know it, but an evolution, much like the mobile Internet has accompanied the transition from desktop to desktop. smartphone.
As part of this evolution, predecessor of the metaverse, I was able to return to Second Life. Launched in 2002, this virtual world Primitive version of the metaverse You may use your avatar or participate in recreational activities such as concerts or buying and selling virtual objects.
But it came too quickly. The computing power of the average computer in the early 21st century could not handle it. A truly functional 3D world It also lacked bandwidth for a seamless experience. The processing power of the cloud and the transfer speed of 5G will play a key role here, enabling the miniaturization of virtual reality devices.
What are its main features?
At the moment, the technological battle for control of the Metaverse rages on. Who is the gatekeeper of this virtual world?
Companies like Meta want Duplicate an Android or iOS model Through a platform that dominates the market or is a big piece of the pie.
That’s what’s behind Horizon Worlds, Meta’s bet on the Metaverse, launching in late 2021 for users in the US and Canada after beta. Accessible with an Oculus virtual reality headset, the ecosystem includes avatars that you can interact with and play video games with.But Horizon Worlds isn’t a game, Meta is $10 billion Investing in metaverse technology through 2022.
In this struggle to lead the metaverse through such disparate initiatives, it’s worth asking if there is anything in common. For the time being, even considering the nature of the work in progress, the metaverse has the following characteristics:
- Immersive. 3D representation and access through virtual, mixed and augmented reality glasses will become widespread.
- interconnection. Many companies are involved in its development, but it is hoped that interoperability standards will facilitate movement between the worlds. At least, that’s the goal of organizations like the Open Metaverse Interoperability Group.
- persistent. Both video games and professional or social environments have shared spaces that users can enter and exit, and virtual assets that can be exchanged.
- self-sustaining economyVirtual assets and parcels are bought and sold. Blockchain technology plays a key role here, allowing enhanced traceability and asset ownership.
Blockchain: Metaverse Economy
Earlier, we discussed NFTs, non-fungible tokens that use blockchain technology to prove digital ownership. The decentralized and secure nature of this technology enables its use in different worlds of the metaverse. In addition, these virtual assets are sold and exchanged for physical world currency. In other words, sell virtual spaceships and buy brick-and-mortar apartments.
A Decentraland example can be used to better understand this concept.
This virtual world uses a cryptocurrency called MANA, which is already listed on platforms such as Coinbase. MANA authorizes the purchase of land and other assets in DecentralandCompanies such as Sotheby’s have already acquired several lots to set up galleries and event replicas.
Beyond these virtual worlds, NFT marketplaces, where you can buy everything from artwork to special edition sports shoes, are growing in popularity. Of course, their products are all digital. One example is OpenSea. You can buy his NFTs from Decentraland here, but you can also buy a number of artists’ works, football player cards, and other collectibles. OpenSea, which claims to be NFT Amazonalready worth more than $13 billion.
What you can do with the Metaverse
This article has pointed to some of the never-ending metaverse applications. These are touted as being the most groundbreaking.
- video games. Platforms such as Roblox, where millions of games are created and sold by users, are the embodiment of the Metaverse. What is certain is that all bets point to an element of entertainment playing an important role in these new worlds.
- culture. In addition to art sales and exhibitions, the Metaverse also hosts concerts and other cultural events. An example is Ariana Grande’s virtual girlfriend concert on her Fortnite in 2021 which attracted 78 million attendees.
- remote work. Meeting with avatars in a permanent space could be the office of the future. Microsoft’s work on its Mixed Reality Mesh platform points the way.
- industry. Digital twins or virtual reproductions of environments and infrastructures are another important piece of the puzzle. The idea is to allow workers to use virtual reality helmets to inspect environments, interact with them, and use training tools, as shown at the beginning of this article.
Metaverse: The Entrepreneurial Experience
In addition to major players such as Meta, many companies are exploring the possibilities of virtual reality and the Metaverse. One of them is ACCIONA. ACCIONA is betting on concepts such as digital twins and virtual meetings through its digital hub. Raúl Boldú, Manager of the Mixed Reality Skill Center, describes the evolution into what is now beginning to be called the Metaverse.
“In 2017, we did several virtual and augmented reality experiences for the La Almunia water treatment plant that enabled remote monitoring. Enclosed space training where students perform tasks in VRIt was the avant-garde metaverse,” he says of the early experience.
The project grew in 2018 by developing multi-user virtual spaces via avatars. The following year they launched a virtual museum. they again, holographic conference Visits to landmark locations such as the company’s desalination plant. Thus, a general meeting of shareholders was held in which 350 users could participate. Access new projects with your VR headsetIn 2020, the environment has become more digital with photogrammetry techniques and high-precision laser scanning from lidar cameras. Finally, in 2021, all these spaces will begin to connect with each other, creating a unique experience.
“We have dozens of digitized plants that we are gradually incorporating into the metaverse. Some plants have a higher level of interaction than others. can only see what is happening, but in other plants such as Etap Gartxeta and Etap Cruces, Interact with all manageable elements of your plant‘ explains Boldu. The Metaverse is about being, interacting, and ultimately intervening in affecting the physical world.
“We believe that the true transformation of plant management will come through immersive digital twins, metaverse digital twins that allow immersive control of the entire plant,” ACCIONA experts point out.
It remains to be seen how many of these predictions will come true in the next few years. As usual, some applications integrate to the detriment of others. What is certain is that the emergence of technologies such as 5G and the Internet of Things will enable a hyperconnected reality that blurs the lines between digital and physical.
sauce: Time, The New York Times, New Scientist, The Verge, https://www.wired.com/story/what-is-the-metaverse/
