The Toolkit

While the metaverse lacks a universally accepted definition, three schools of thought emerge:

• Metaverse as a Product or Service: Author and investor Matthew Ball describes the metaverse as an expansive network of persistent, real-time rendered 3D worlds and simulations. These can be

experienced synchronously by an effectively unlimited number of users, each with an individual sense of presence. This perspective views the metaverse as a product or service, emphasising attributes

like persistence, synchronicity, and interoperability.

• Metaverse as an Enhanced Internet: Technology strategist Ben Thompson suggests that the metaverse is akin to the internet but with an added 3D layer. In this view, the metaverse builds upon existing internet capabilities, enhancing them with immersive experiences.
• Metaverse as a Hybrid Experience: The metaverse could also be seen as a hybrid space where digital and physical realities converge. It encompasses VR, AR, and BCI technologies, revolutionising human digital experiences and serving as an entry point to this interconnected world.

Here are some key points about enabling the hardware for the metaverse:

Legacy Devices: Currently, we can interact with the metaverse using our phones and laptops, but these will eventually become legacy devices.

To fully immerse ourselves, we’ll need specialised hardware.

• VR Headsets: For immersive experiences, virtual reality (VR) headsets are essential. However, achieving social acceptability requires advances in sensing, display, and optics technology. Sleek, lightweight VR headsets that seamlessly switch between AR and VR are the long-term goal.
• AR Glasses: Augmented reality (AR) glasses are crucial for integrating the virtual and physical worlds. Unfortunately, true AR glasses are still far from resembling everyday eyewear or delivering IMAX-quality images.
• MicroLED Displays: MicroLED displays play a role in solving the resolution challenge. To make AR and VR look realistic, around 60 pixels per degree of field of view are needed.

The fascinating world of the Metaverse and its various components:

Virtual Reality (VR):

• VR involves using computer modelling and simulation to immerse a person in a three-dimensional artificial world.