The Metaverse and its integration lack or face the challenge of infusing the data in the virtual world from the real world. Hence, this is where IoT innovations come into play. It is a matter of fact that IoT has been present and working for many years now. The world has witnessed a significant addition of the values to the standards of living owing to multiple IoT innovations like smart cameras, phones, and other tech devices. Given its expertise and experience in using physical or real-time data from the real world through smart sensors, IoT can provide the necessary support or smart system for Metaverse.
However, before discussing the connection between IoT and the Metaverse & their link to the real world, we need to understand what the Metaverse is? And How do IoT innovations help in the integration of the Metaverse into the real world? These are some obvious questions that will be addressed in the given article.
What is the Metaverse?
Metaverse is basically a computer-generated virtual environment that enables the users to escape or, more appropriately, enter networked extended reality- a virtual space. As per Forbes, the Metaverse refers to the combination of both virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality resulting in an extended reality or XR. It is generally accessed via smart solutions & gears like Oculus headsets. It is a realm developed or is being developed by experts with the aim to make users hang out with friends, play games, watch movies, go on a shopping spree with them, or even fulfill professional obligations while sitting on their favorite couch at home.
Simply put, the Metaverse is a networked extended reality or XR in which human and automated entities can interact and connect with each other for multiple purposes. It is the future where you can do almost anything; the only limitation is the human imagination or thinking process.
IoT Role in Metaverse
It is essential and crucial for the Metaverse that data extracted from the real world needs to be mapped and fitted in an accurately secured and planned manner. It is necessary that the data should be real-time and must be infused in an efficient way for the desired and best outcome. This is why IoT and the technology behind its smart solutions are needed to fill this gap and ensure the perfect creation of the Metaverse around us.
In simple words, IoT will be that vital link that will allow people to switch between the Metaverse and the real world without any problems or interruptions. Plus, for the sake of better user experience in the Metaverse, it is also mandatory to build a far advanced IoT technology that can easily support operations and complications of virtual space. Furthermore, the following are the ways IoT will help in making a swift connection between Metaverse and the real world:
•Use Of Smart Solutions and Devices
In order for the infusion of Metaverse with the real world, IoT-enabled smart solutions and devices must be utilized. The IoT devices will help in the efficient entrance of the users into the Metaverse that is close to reality. It will be the perfect recreation of the scenarios we encounter in the real world. Since IoT is about the interconnectedness of multiple devices with the physical world, it will aid in the complex integration and collaboration of hybrid data with digital cloud systems. This will pave the way for an advanced interactive virtual simulation world for vivid experiences for the users. For instance, Oculus headsets are being utilized for metaverse prototyping and experiments.
• Integrating Digital Content into the Physical Realm
IoT innovation will help the Metaverse integrate digital content into the physical world. In order for us, the users, to access, experience, and interact with things in the Metaverse while actually being in the real world, IoT will help in this collaboration between these two worlds. For instance, it will provide the groundwork for physical users to access digital content while using augmented and virtual reality technology and tools. Plus, it will play an important role in providing advanced interoperable systems to the users for interacting with automated digital entities. This will, in turn, generate a real-time control system that will give the users a realistic sensation-felt experience, like the way a person acts and reacts in the real world.
• Importance of Data In Today’s Time
Another important aspect that people must acknowledge is the importance of data in the current world and the integration of the Metaverse in it. Like jewels and gems, data is considered the new gold. It provides information value to a digital realm like the Metaverse. Likewise, IoT innovations are tools and technology that will help incorporate the metadata and physical data from the real world. For instance, consider the Metaverse a blank canvas in an online forum that needs to be filled with content extracted by the IoT-powered smart solutions. Also, the real data that will be installed in the Metaverse should be secured and responsive for an immersive experience. To put it simply, mass ingestion or extraction of real-world data through IoT devices will ensure successful integration and a strong connection between the real world and the Metaverse.
• A Bridge between Physical Devices and Metaverse
IoT will play a fundamental role in the secure connection between the Metaverse and the real world. It will not only assist with its smart solution but also ensure the support of its technological infrastructure needed to form a responsive and uninterrupted link between its smart physical devices and the Metaverse. Moreover, it is also a fact that cloud technology is required to form a strong bond between the Metaverse and IoT. Without this technology, the required processing power will fall short of incorporating data collected by devices for the Metaverse. This is why big cloud technology provider companies like Microsoft enable large-scale access to ensure strong processing power for the integration. This core infrastructure or foundation of IoT and data analytics will assemble on top of cloud technology support, ensuring a real-life experience for the users in the Metaverse.
Its Future Prospect
Well, the Metaverse has great prospects in the real world’s future. For many experts, it is considered to be the next big thing. Especially after the Covid-19 pandemic, the importance and need for a digital world have significantly increased. This virtual world, or XR, will change how we act, react and interact via the Internet while affecting all aspects of our lives, including education, professional endeavors, real estate, social media, e-commerce, and social gatherings.
Take Of Tech Giants Of Metaverse
Among different companies, Facebook seems more vocal and active about Metaverse integration in the real world; even so, they change the company’s brand name to Meta platforms, Inc. They have begun to earn as many royalties and patents related to biometric data for Metaverse users for an early lead in creating their virtual world- the Metaverse. Also, the company has made an estimated 10 billion investments in Metaverse development and research.
Moreover, other companies like Microsoft, Autodesk, and Nvidia are investing thousands of dollars in this technology. Likewise, video gaming enterprises like Roblox Corp. and Unity Software Inc. are also shifting their focus by dedicating heavy resources to Metaverse innovations. Their estimated revenue growth will likely increase from USD 180 billion to USD 400 billion by 2028. Also, according to experts, the Metaverse revenue may reach 828.95 billion US dollars by 2028. Hence, this shows that the Metaverse will revolutionize the real world in the coming future.
Conclusion
To sum up, the Metaverse is the new virtual reality of the future. It will encircle us from all spheres, completely transforming our way of acting and interacting with the real world. And this will also increase further advanced technological development or upgradation of IoT services and its smart solutions around us. The interlinked prospect of the Metaverse and IoT will transform the real world around us, paving the way for the highly progressive nature of digital interactions between human-to-human and human-to-automated entities in the future.
