Metaverse and Immersive Technologies
An Introduction to Industrial, Business and Social Applications
Edited by Chandrashekhar A, Shaik Himam Saheb, Sandeep Kumar Panda
ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
S. Balamurugan
Albert Einstein Engineering and Research Labs Coimbatore, Tamilnadu, India and
Sheng-Lung Peng
Department of Creative Technologies and Product Design
National Taipei University of Business, Taiwan
This edition first published 2023 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030, USA and Scrivener Publishing LLC, 100 Cummings Center, Suite 541J, Beverly, MA 01915, USA © 2023 Scrivener Publishing LLC
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
ISBN 978-1-394-17454-6
Cover image: Pixabay.Com
Cover design by Russell Richardson
Set in size of 11pt and Minion Pro by Manila Typesetting Company, Makati, Philippines
Dedication
Dedicated to my sisters Susmita, Sujata, Bhaina and Sukanta; nephew Surya Datta; wife Itishree (Leena); my son Jay Jagdish (Omm); and Late father Jaya Gopal Panda, and Late mother Pranati Panda.
Sandeep Kumar Panda
Raj. K.A., Shresta Rongali, Bathula Jaya Teja and Shaik Himam Saheb
2.3
2.6
2.3.1
3.6
3.3.3
3.5.1
3.5.2
3.5.3
3.5.4
3.6.1
3.6.2
3.7.1
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3.7.3
4.2.1
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4.5.5
5.5
5.1.6
5.2.1
5.5.1
5.5.2
5.6
6.1
6.2
5.6.1
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6.4.4
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6.5.2
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6.5.4
6.6.1
6.6.2
Chandrashekhar Bendigeri and Devaraj E.
Ganesh, Ram Pavan Reddy
16.2.1
16.2.2
16.3.2 Why Will the Convergence of the Internet of Things and the Metaverse be Important?
16.3.3 What Do You Think the Internet of Things Will be Responsible for in the Metaverse?
16.3.4
16.3.5 How Can the Internet of Things Connect the Metaverse to Devices that Exist in the Actual World?
Preface
The 1990s brought the proliferation of the internet throughout the world. Researchers developed various computer-mediated virtual environments including social networks, video conferencing, virtual 3D worlds, augmented reality applications, and Non-Fungible Token games. The term ‘metaverse’ has been coined to encompass the digital transformation in every aspect of our physical lives. At the core of the metaverse is the vision of an immersive internet as a gigantic, unified, persistent, and shared realm. While metaverse may seem futuristic, it is catalyzed by emerging technologies, such as extended reality, human-computer interaction, artificial intelligence, blockchain, computer vision, IoT and robotics, edge and cloud computing, and future mobile networks. In terms of applications, the metaverse ecosystem allows human users to live and play within a self-sustaining, persistent, and shared realm. The metaverse is a virtual and visual world that combines physical and digital experiences. At present, the development and implementation of the metaverse is in the nascent stage and lacks a framework for visual construction and scrutiny. Therefore, this book offers a 360-degree exploration of the metaverse, with a focus on avatars, content creation, virtual economy, social acceptability, security, privacy, trust, and accountability.
This book provides a thorough explanation of how the technology behind metaverse and other virtual reality is changing the world. The primary objective is to present the revolutionary innovation of the 21st Century—the metaverse—and exhibit its wide range of applications in different domains. Although blockchain and VR/AR were the first popularly known applications of the metaverse, several other applications also exist. While some still believe the metaverse is overhyped, in reality, it is transforming almost every industry—healthcare, 3D, 4D, industry, game industry, business management, artificial intelligence, and IoT, just to name a few.
This technological breakthrough not only paved the way for virtual reality, but provides useful solutions for other areas of technology. The unique nature of the technology, which is a single, shared, immersive, persistent, 3D virtual space where humans experience life in ways not possible in the physical world, makes it suitable for all real-world applications. The technology has great potential to transform business, and companies are already in the race for different product offerings.
The book is organized to cover all aspects of the metaverse, including its fundamentals, features, working principles, and application in different sectors.
Chapter 1 presents an in-depth analysis of the technologies used in the metaverse and provides a solid foundation from which to further study this fascinating field. Specifically, the chapter presents the fundamental characteristics of a novel-distributed metaverse architecture in terms of ternary-world interactions. The benefits and drawbacks of the metaverse are explored, along with the current pressing problems faced by metaverse systems and their most cutting-edge solutions. Finally, the chapter proposes new avenues for the study of metaverse system developments.
Chapter 2 investigates the expected utilization of blockchain innovation in the metaverse, explicitly in the spaces of AR, VR, and MR. The specialized parts that utilize blockchain in these virtual conditions are examined, including how it tends to be leveraged to get client data and works with exchanges inside the virtual world. Also analyzed are the difficulties and amazing possibilities that come from coordinating blockchain innovation in the metaverse, like issues of versatility, interoperability, and reception. Also discussed is the potential for future development and the latest headway in the combination of blockchain innovation with the metaverse, as well as likely roads for additional examination in this field.
Chapter 3 provides basic information about blockchain, its consensus algorithms, its usage and problems in the metaverse, how it can used for solving metaverse issues, and future directions.
Chapter 4 describes how the metaverse relies upon blockchain technology and its components, such as data acquisition, data interoperability, data storage, privacy, and security.
Chapter 5 provides a clear understanding about the usage of the metaverse in healthcare industries and day to day healthcare applications. The metaverse is important in many healthcare innovations, for example the ophthalmology spectacle frame selection is easier in online applications because the lenskart uses metaverse technologies.
Chapter 6 discusses many topics related to the metaverse, including its characteristics and immersive reality, the functions of VR, AR, and MR,
why extended reality serves as its foundation, how to access it now, open issues, the creation of apps, obstacles, and its advantages over 2D learning settings. Finally, the chapter suggests a future research agenda that will be helpful to academics, industry experts, and decision-makers alike.
Chapter 7 explains how VRMAW is a one-of-a-kind, cutting-edge welding solution that promotes digital technology for teaching inexperienced welders. It outlines how to use metal arc welding while also being costeffective, environmentally friendly, and clean.
Chapter 8 thoroughly explores the potential of creating 3D parametric computer-aided models using the AR technique.
Chapter 9 introduces a metaverse-based platform that was designed with the online education ecosystem in mind. This platform shows that online teaching and educational activities can be performed within the immersive metaverse, as well as holistic educational activities like learning, communication, and empathy.
Chapter 10 pertains to eye diseases, Keratoconus, and the use of corneal topography to inspect for various defects in the eye.
Chapter 11 addresses the latest findings of a study on the possible uses of the metaverse in the industrial sector, and the significance of applying it to the industrial supply chain.
Chapter 12 clearly describes various applications of augmented reality in multiple domains, including gaming, construction, tourism, and many more.
Chapter 13 expresses the importance of virtual reality (VR) in various manufacturing industries. VR is a powerful invention and interactive technology that significantly impacts our lives. Often known as immersive multimedia, VR replicates a physical presence for the audience in both the real and virtual worlds.
Chapter 14 explores the exciting world of mixed reality (MR). MR combines elements of both virtual and augmented reality to create a truly immersive and interactive experience. The chapter discusses the technologies used in MR, its current applications in multiple industries (e.g., entertainment and education), and its potential for future developments in fields such as healthcare and manufacturing.
Chapter 15 provides basic information about the technical aspects of artificial intelligence (AI), its role and importance in the metaverse, and suggested research directions.
Chapter 16 gives basic information about IoT, its relationship and importance to the metaverse, and the contribution of IoT in the creation of the metaverse. The chapter looks at IoT applications, the advantages and challenges of an IoT-based metaverse, and possible research directions.
Preface
Topics presented in each chapter are unique to this book and are based on the unpublished work of its esteemed contributors. The editors attempted to cover all the new trends and experiments in regards to the metaverse. This book should serve as a reference for a larger audience, such as system architects, practitioners, developers, and researchers.
Our thanks go to Wiley and Scrivener Publishing for their continuous support and guidance in the production of this volume.
Chandrashekhar A
Department of Mechatronics, Faculty of Science and Technology (IcfaiTech), ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education (IFHE), Deemed to be University, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
