What is MetaVerse? | VR, AR, MR and XR
The Metaverse is a concept of a persistent, online, 3D universe that combines multiple different virtual spaces. In short, a fictional universe.
You can think of it as a future iteration of the internet. The Metaverse will allow users to work, meet, game, and socialize together in these 3D spaces. It co-exists with the real world.
The word “Metaverse” was first coined in 1992 by Neal Stephenson in his book “Snow Crash”. While the idea of a Metaverse was once fiction, it now looks like it could be a reality in the future.
What is Metaverse?
Meta + Verse
“Meta“ from the Greek meta means across or after. “Verse” from Universe.
Metaverse is defined as a three dimensional internet powered by virtual reality and augmented reality.
It is -
Persistent: Exists regardless of user’s presence.
Real Time: Users can experience live events.
Infinite: Supports unlimited concurrent users and VR worlds.
Self-Sustaining: Users can work for and pay for things in the Metaverse.
Interoperable: There is only one Metaverse and everything is integrated within it.
Metaverse investor and writer Matthew Ball estimates the Metaverse could be worth up to $30 trillion in the next decade. How this impending digital reality is built and governed will determine societal outcomes in the near future and for generations to come.
The base foundation layer of the Metaverse is the hardware. It is a core enabler to make Metaverse possible alongwith compute, networking, payment services and interoperability standards.
Key Components of Metaverse:
- Web 3.0
- Gaming
- BlockChain
- VR (Virtual Reality)
- AR (Augmented Reality)
- MR (Mixed Reality)
- XR (Extended Reality)
- NFTs(Non Fungible Tokens)
In this post I would be covering details about AR, VR, MR, XR snd NFTs.
Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) are the two pillars of the Metaverse. Both terms have been around for about 30 years, with VR emerging in the late 1980s and AR in the early 1990s.
What is VR?
Virtual Reality (VR) is a completely immersive experience that replaces a real-life environment with a simulated one.
Virtual Reality (VR) is the use of computer technology to create a simulated environment. Unlike traditional user interfaces, VR places the user inside an experience.
Instead of viewing a screen in front of them, users are immersed and able to interact with 3D worlds. By simulating as many senses as possible, such as vision, hearing, touch, even smell, the computer is transformed into a gatekeeper to this artificial world.
The only limits to near-real VR experiences are the availability of content and cheap computing power.
Checkout the below link of Google Earth VR for an awesome experience of VR.
VR 360 Video of Top 5 Roller Coaster Rides 4K Virtual Reality
What is AR?
Augmented Reality (AR) augments your surroundings by adding digital elements to a live view, often by using the camera on a smartphone.
It is a combination of real and virtual worlds, real time interaction and accurate 3D registration of virtual and real objects
In Augmented Reality, the computer uses sensors and algorithms to determine the position and orientation of a camera. AR technology then renders the 3D graphics as they would appear from the viewpoint of the camera, superimposing the computer-generated images over a user’s view of the real world.
Google Lens — AR Experience by Google
Augmented Reality Zoo
Difference between AR and VR?
Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality are two sides of the same coin. You could think of Augmented Reality as VR with one foot in the real world. Augmented Reality simulates artificial objects in the real environment; Virtual Reality creates an artificial environment to inhabit.
What is MR?
Mixed Reality (MR) is also referred to as Hybrid Reality. It is the merging of the virtual and physical worlds to produce a new environment where interactions among virtual physical objects are enabled in real time.
Checkout this video by Oculus Rift | Change the Game to get better insights on MR.
Mixed reality is a blend of physical and digital worlds, unlocking natural and intuitive 3D human, computer, and environmental interactions. This new reality is based on advancements in computer vision, graphical processing, display technologies, input systems, and cloud computing.
The term “mixed reality” was introduced in a 1994 paper by Paul Milgram and Fumio Kishino, “A Taxonomy of mixed reality Visual Displays.” Their paper explored the concept of a virtuality continuum and the taxonomy of visual displays. Since then, the application of mixed reality has gone beyond displays to include:
- Environmental understanding: spatial mapping and anchors.
- Human understanding: hand-tracking, eye-tracking, and speech input.
- Spatial sound.
- Locations and positioning in both physical and virtual spaces.
- Collaboration on 3D assets in mixed reality spaces.
I bet you will find the below videos interesting that will excite you to learn more about Mixed reality -
Mixed Reality Blends the Physical and Virtual Worlds
Can we work in Metaverse?
What is XR?
Extended Reality (XR) refers to all the combination of both real and virtual environments as well as the interactions that are generated by the computer technology. It is basically an Umbrella term for VR, AR and MR.
The term “XR” was introduced first in 1960s when Charles Wyckoff first filed a patent for his “XR” film, intended for photographing extremely bright light events, such as nuclear explosions.
A couple of examples related to XR are immersing gamers in the action by putting a screen (a smartphone display or headset) right in front of the eyes (VR) or adding game characters to real-world surroundings like in the popular Pokémon Go (AR).
Some example of XR we are already using in our day to day life
As far as the trends go for the emerging technologies, we are using one or the other app which is related to XR. Google Maps — Street View is technically XR.
When you do a Zoom call and someone uses a Virtual Background that is an XR too.
I am not a cat filter on zoom.
XR — The Merging of Augmented Reality AR, Virtual Reality VR and Mixed Reality in 2020
Non-fungible Tokens(NFTs)
NFT stands for non-fungible token. NFT is a digital asset that represents real-world objects like art, music, in-game items and videos. They are bought and sold online, frequently with cryptocurrency, and they are generally encoded with the same underlying software as many cryptos.
Although they’ve been around since 2014, NFTs are gaining notoriety now because they are becoming an increasingly popular way to buy and sell digital artwork. A staggering $174 million has been spent on NFTs since November 2017.
In simpler terms, NFTs are certificates of ownership for the things you own on internet. NFT assets are unique because they differ in value and properties.
NFTs are different. Each has a digital signature that makes it impossible for NFTs to be exchanged for or equal to one another (hence, non-fungible).
Types of NFTs
- Collectible items (Avatars and profile pics).
- Virtual Land
- Video Game Items
- Art(Digital as well as Physical Arts)
- Media and Music
- Memes
- Gaming Items
- Sports Moments
- Real world Assets.
- Domain Names.
Some interesting deals related to NFTs which shocked the internet users -
The Metaflower Super Mega Yacht’ NFT Sells for a Record $650,000 USD
The 10 most expensive NFT Art Sales (So far)
Apart from what I mentioned above there are lots of articles, blogs and videos available over the internet which can be used for gaining for more information about Metaverse.
Recommendations:
I would highly recommend taking Udemy Course by Henrique Centieiro on Metaverse for getting more insights about it: Metaverse Masterclass- Learn Everything about the Metaverse
Below articles helped me a lot in writing this blog and I would recommend to checkout the below mentioned links as well.
References:
- https://academy.binance.com/en/articles/what-is-the-metaverse?
- Udemy Course by Henrique Centieiro: Metaverse Masterclass- Learn Everything about the Metaverse
- https://www.coindesk.com/business/2021/11/23/crypto-states-will-compete-with-corporates-in-the-metaverse/
- https://venturebeat.com/2022/02/05/metaverse-101-defining-the-key-components/
- https://www.marxentlabs.com/what-is-virtual-reality/
- https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/mixed-reality/discover/mixed-reality
- https://www.hp.com/us-en/shop/tech-takes/what-is-xr-changing-world
- https://www.forbes.com/advisor/investing/nft-non-fungible-token/
- https://beincrypto.com/metaverse-economy-could-value-30-trillion-in-a-decade/
