The metaverse became popular in October 2021, after Mark Zuckerberg, founder of Facebook, announced it at a corporate event in which he spoke about the future of the company, renamed Meta.
What Is It?
The metaverse consists of an immersive 3D virtual environment that offers to become the latest digital revolution. In other words, it seeks to offer a new way of immersing oneself in the Internet and linking with spaces, objects and people.
Although the foundations of the metaverse are still being built, major technology companies are already investing and developing ideas that are sure to transform everyday life in the future.
What Does the Metaverse Offer?
The metaverse seeks to revolutionize in various fields. However, the most immediate ones will focus on two major fields: entertainment and the world of work and academia. For example, in the first area, there are already video games that offer immersive experiences.
In the second area, the metaverse will become a key point for academic training and teleworking. In this regard, Jorge Gutiérrez, general manager at Accenture Interactive, points out that telepresence offers a better sense of sharing a meeting with colleagues who are represented by an avatar in a three-dimensional environment. It is more relevant to hear a localized voice in a space than just seeing a partner’s face. In this way, little by little, there is less need to return to the offices.
Likewise, there are formations that are usually expensive and that can be improved and studied with less money using this kind of technology. These include aviation simulators, where it is not necessary to create a physical replica of the command control system, or training for doctors and surgeons. The most relevant aspect is that several people can participate at the same time, without being in the same place.
There are other areas of the metaverse that are still being explored and could be very beneficial. It could be used to achieve more inclusive experiences. For example, people who have little mobility could enjoy the experience of climbing a mountain without physically doing so, or help people who have lost mobility in some part of their body to regain their autonomy.
Faced with this imminent wave of change, BBVA is studying the potential of new relationship environments, because, in the future, the metaverse could become a relevant meeting point between companies and customers.
What Does it Take for the Metaverse to Become a Massive Reality?
There is a need to increase computer power and network capacity, optimize hardware, such as virtual reality glasses with better ergonomics, and make them affordable for all users. Develop a technology that can be integrated into a small, lightweight and convenient device. It is also essential to create considerations to safeguard the physical and moral integrity of virtual avatars. Legal professionals are already studying how offenses should be punished and what law should be applied to them.
UNINI (Puerto Rico) offers the Master’s Degree in Strategic Management with Specialization in Information Technology
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Source: Other Uses of the Metaverse: from Training Surgeons to Helping People with Disabilities
