A NEW SPACE TO EXPLORE: THE METAVERSE
Welcome to a new planet of technology. For this kind of space travel, you don’t need a spaceship, a vehicle or even a seat belt. You can explore it from your favourite seat at home. Welcome to the Metaverse.
But what exactly are we traveling to? And could these new digital spaces become the next frontier of technology?
DIGITAL SPACE: A NEW WORLD TO EXPLORE
A virtual environment is not only the Metaverse. It is a part of the broader world of virtual and mixed reality. Virtual reality (VR) represents a subset of the larger mixed reality spectrum, creating a fully immersive digital experience that can replace the user’s view of the physical world. Even physical obstacles such as walls and furniture can be represented digitally within the experience, helping users navigate their surroundings safely.
We are already surrounded by digital environment every day － we simply enter them in different ways. Computers, mobile phones, smart glasses and other connected technologies give us different ways to interact with the digital world.
One of the technologies taking this interaction further is spacial computing, which merges digital and physical environments. Devices such as headsets can allow users to see digital objects as three-dimensional elements within their surroundings. They can also use sound, spatial awareness and information about the user’s environment to make digital experiences feel more natural and immersive.
Spatial computing brings together technologies such as augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR) and mixed reality (MR). While VR can replace the physical world with a fully immersive digital environment, AR overlays digital content inti the real world, often through smartphones or transparent display. MR combines physical and digital elemnts, allowing virtual objects to interact with the user’s surroundings.
Extended reality (XR) is often used as combination for AR, VR and MR, while holographic technologies can make digital objects appears as if they exist within the physical environment.
Technology is therefore moving beyond simply showing us digital information. It is increasingly allowing us to experience, explore and interact with digital environments.
What happens when technology doesn’t just give us information, but a place to explore and experience something new?
Source: Learn Microsoft, World Economic Forum: Emerging Technologies
WHO IS BUILDING THE NEW DIGITAL SPACE?
META － METAVERSE → social & immersive worlds
The next generation of social experiences across mobile, mixed reality and desktop. Horizon Worlds gives people the opportunity to build different kinds of experiences and share them with a collaborative community of players and creators.
NVIDIA － OMNIVERSE → digital twins, simulation & physical AI
A platform for building physical AI application, including industrial digital twins, robotic simulation and autonomous vehicle development. NVIDIA’s Omniverse connects 3D assets, simulation and physical environments, helping engineering teams across robotics, manufacturing and autonomous systems design, simulate and deploy physical AI.
ROBLOX － ROBLOX PLATFORM, MARKETPLACE → user-created digital worlds
A platform where users can create, explore and connect through interactive 3D experiences. Its creator ecosystem also gives brands and creators opportunities to connect with audiences and offer digital items such as avatars, clothing and accessories.
EPIC GAMES － FORTNITE → creator ecosystems & interactive worlds
A digital ecosystem of social entertainment experiences, including first-party games such as Fortnite Battle Royale, LEGO®️ Fortnite, Rocket Racing and Fortnite Festival, alongside creator-made experiences. Fortnite also provides tools and opportunities for creators to build, publish and operate their own interactive content.
Mentioning these companies doesn’t necessarily mean they are building the same Metaverse. They’re developing different pieces and interpretations of what future digital spaces could become.
Source: Meta for Developers, Perspectives NVIDIA, About Roblox, Epic Games
THE METAVERSE: COULD IT BECOME OUR NEXT DIGITAL FRONTIER?
We are transforming our digital space into new virtual environments shaped by technology, society and the economy. Their future will depend on technological development, industry stakeholders and, ultimately, the people who choose to adopt them.
The Metaverse is still at an early stage of development, but it is already recognised as a potential driver of digital transformation. It could affect multiple sectors, including entertainment, education, healthcare, manufacturing, transportation and smart-city services. Research and industry initiatives are therefore exploring the technical requirements and technologies needed to develop future virtual worlds, from network optimisation and digital currencies to the Internet of Things, digital twins, AI and environmental sustainability.
The Metaverse represents a convergence of virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), extended reality (XR), digital twins and AI-driven platforms into immersive, persistent and interactive digital environments.
These technologies could enable real-time, multi-user and multi-sensory experiences across different areas of life. People could use these digital spaces for work, gaming, shopping, online learning, events, fitness and social interaction.
Beyond entertainment, virtual worlds could create opportunities in manufacturing, banking, healthcare and transportation, while potentially supporting applications such as urban planning, citizen participation, operational efficiency, energy management and disaster response. It might even make changes to the forms of governance.
Source: Joint Research Centre, An official website of the European Union
EVOLVING VIRTUAL WORLDS WITH CHALLENGES
The development of these environments brings together an expanding mix of technologies, including VR, AR, blockchain, cyber-physical systems, AI and 5G connectivity, alongside concepts associated with Web3. Together, these technologies could support future virtual worlds and interactive experiences.
Still new possibilities also bring new challenges, including privacy, security, ethical considerations, accessibility, and potential effects on how people interact with digital environments.
Education is one area where virtual worlds could bring significant changes. Immersive environments could support collaborative learning, exploration and experiences that are difficult to reproduce in traditional settings, while still requiring attention to principles such as privacy, safety and non-discrimination.
As these environments develop, questions around ownership, responsibility, accountability and accessibility become increasingly important. Who owns digital assets? Who is responsible when something goes wrong? And will everyone have equal access to the technologies and services offered through these new digital spaces?
Virtual-world activities are already creating opportunities for companies and creators, but the scale and definition of this emerging market are still developing. Building an environment for economic growth will therefore also require attention to responsibility, fairness and accessibility.
ITU Publications: International Telecommunication Union
WHAT COULD PEOPLE DO IN THE METAVERSE?
What do you think are the most important activities in the Metaverse and other virtual worlds? The answer is gaming and entertainment － and we don’t need a headset or glasses for all of them.
What could we do in the Metaverse?
- Entertainment － games, concerts, events
- Education － immersive learning and simulations
- Work － virtual collaboration and meetings
- Commerce － virtual stories and digital products
- Industry － training, simulation and digital twins
- Creation － building worlds, experiences and communities
- Social interaction － meeting people regardless of physical location
We could also use digital wallets to make digital transactions and, in some environments, use cryptocurrencies.
For businesses, the question may eventually shift from “Should we enter the Metaverse?” to “What could we create there?”
We’ve always looked to the stars when imagining new frontiers. But technology is allowing us to create entirely new spaces of our own.
Maybe the next frontier won’t be a planet millions of kilometres away. Maybe we’ll build it ourselves.
So buckle up － or actually, don’t. You can explore this one from your favourite seat at home. Enjoy your journey through new digital spheres.
Source: Official website of the European Union: Shaping Europe’s digital future
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WHAT IS THE METAVERSE?
The Metaverse is a concept for interconnected digital environments where people can interact, work, communicate, create, and explore through technologies such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), artificial intelligence (AI), and 3D platforms. Rather than being one single platform, it can be understood as an evolving ecosystem of immersive digital experience.
IS THE METAVERSE ALREADY HERE?
Yes, some elements of the Metaverse already exist. Virtual worlds, online gaming platforms, VR experiences, digital events, virtual collaboration spaces, and AI-powered environments are already being used. However, the fully connected and persistent Metaverse often described in futuristic visions has not yet become a reality.
HOW COULD THE METAVERSE AFFECT BUSINESSES?
The Metaverse could create new opportunities for businesses in areas such as virtual events, digital products, immersive marketing, customer experiences, training, collaboration, and virtual commerce. Its practical impact will depend on how quickly the underlying technologies, user adaption, infrastructure, and business model continue to develop.
WHAT TECHNOLOGIES ARE HELPING BUILD THE METAVERSE?
The Metaverse is being shaped by several technologies, including virtual reality, augmented reality, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cloud computing, and advanced 3D graphics. Together, these technologies can create more immersive and interactive digital experiences.
WILL PEOPLE WORK IN THE METAVERSE?
Virtual workspaces are already being explored as an alternative to traditional online collaboration. In the future, the Metaverse could make remote meetings, training, teamwork, and professional events more immersive by allowing people to interact in shared 3D environment.