What a Wonderful World: Technologies that power the Metaverse

 In my last post, I introduced the concept of the metaverse and how it intends to shape the future of the internet.

The Metaverse is a whole new virtual world, a 3D version of the internet. 

To achieve and create this virtual world, several cutting-edge technologies that we have now have to be brought together. We will be looking at some of these technologies and how they are instrumental in creating a virtual universe, in bringing Neal Stephenson's idea to life.

Virtual Reality (VR)

Presently, we have already been blessed with VR technology. Virtual reality tech can easily be mistaken for metaverse tech, but they aren't entirely the same. VR is just a part of the metaverse.

A person playing a game with a VR headset has a different experience from another person immersed in Decentraland metaverse with a VR headset. 

We could see VR as a technology that sets the stage for the metaverse, it builds the 3D universe for socialization to take place. VR sets up the workspaces, concert halls, streets, edifices and objects in the metaverse. 

Augmented Reality

Here comes the spice.

So we have our virtual world, the metaverse but what if we could link it up with our actual universe, our reality. That's where AR comes in.

AR converts real-life objects and characters into digital versions in the metaverse. We would be able to view and interact with real-life objects and characters from a different perspective.

Your favourite car is the Lamborghini? Take it into the metaverse with AR. We could race together, Ready Player one…*winks!

3D Modelling

Imagine you could walk on the streets to your house without leaving your house, just by putting a VR headset and porting into the metaverse.

With the help of 3D modelling and VR tech, we could be able to closely replicate our real universe in the metaverse. 

I will need an Old Trafford Metaverse, siuuuuuuuuu!.

Artificial Intelligence

Have you had a chat with Siri, Alexa or Google today?

Artificial intelligence is already a part of our daily lives. AI has been incorporated into many aspects of our life already.

In the metaverse, AI will help in interaction with Non-player characters (NPCs). These are in-game (or in-metaverse) characters not controlled by a real-life person but by artificial intelligence, they are designed to react to characters controlled by real people and to generally enhance the experience.

Blockchain and Cryptocurrency

We will be able to buy, sell and own digital assets in the metaverse.

Blockchain and Cryptocurrency provide a decentralised platform for metaverse users to show proof of ownership of digital assets in the form of NFTs. 

There are also possibilities of workspaces in the metaverse, you might get a job in the metaverse and receive your compensation in the form of metaverse coins or metaverse tokens, and all of these will have value in the metaverse. 

Cryptocurrency wallets will provide a financial portal between the real world and the universe. For example, coins in your cryptocurrency wallet could be used to buy virtual land in Decentraland.

We have looked at some technologies that would need to be incorporated into the creation of a metaverse. Each is very important and works with others.

The "Internet of Things"(IoT) is another current concept that will need to be applied in the creation of the metaverse, we will dive deeper into this concept in a subsequent blog post. Don't miss it.

Of all techs that make up the metaverse, which is your favourite. Let me hear your thoughts in the comments.

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