What is the metaverse?
The reader will have noticed that this is not a new concept. In the field of video games, for example, the metaverse has been around for a long time: titles such as Fortnite, Roblox or GTA Online are virtual worlds in which players can communicate and work together in a shared game via their characters (avatars), which can also be customized with skins and add-ons for a fee.
In short, it is a three-dimensional space that exists only on a virtual level, where different people can socialize, collaborate on work, learn about subjects, and participate in various activities, whether for fun or for work.
The emergence of prominent figures such as Mark Zuckerberg, the owner of Meta, and his commitment to an alternative model of society to the real one, in which we can not only relate to each other but also live a second life in the true sense, has led to the popularization of the concept of the “metaverse”.
The concept of the metaverse originated in a science fiction novel by Neal Stephenson called Snow Crash. In it, the author imagined an alternative world to the real world that could be accessed through glasses and allowed the reader to navigate through avatars in virtual reality.
Current examples of metaverse
What we once dismissed as simply “virtual reality” has become an experience that goes far beyond the playful, expanding our horizons in everyday life and at work. Here we explore some recent examples of the metaverse, such as the new Apple Vision glasses, Meta Quest from Meta or the Disney HoloTile treadmill.
Apple Vision Pro
One of Apple’s clearest attempts to launch a product that would fully introduce the company to the world of the metaverse is the Mixed Reality (Virtual Reality + Augmented Reality) glasses, which, as the name suggests, offer the wearer an augmented reality to the existing reality.
These glasses use an operating system called visionOS, a three-dimensional interface that the company has dubbed “spatial computing.” The glasses’ default mode is augmented reality, where applications and tools that the wearer can operate appear to “float” in real life.
The user can interact with the applications using his eyes and fingers, pinching in the air, moving elements, etc. For example, it is possible to watch large, high-quality Internet videos in great detail, place virtual furniture in the house to see how it would look in real life, and so on.
Apple Vision Pro can also help deaf people thanks to apps like Navi. This application generates real-time subtitles from conversations and also offers the ability to instantly translate into different languages.
Meta Quest by Meta
Mark Zuckerberg and Meta – their intentions are already evident in their name – were among the players most interested in the development of these virtual spaces from the beginning.
Virtual reality is the main protagonist of the Meta Quest glasses developed by Meta. On their official website they offer two special sections that allow the user to immerse themselves in the world of the Metaverse and Meta Quest: physical activity and video games.
For physical activity, there are apps like Holofit that create virtual exercise spaces with exercise bikes, cross trainers, rowing machines, etc. In addition, with apps like FitXR, they also offer collaborative spaces for group training.
Of course, VR video games cannot be missed, immersive experiences that go a step beyond playing at home with titles like Beat Saber, Superhot, etc. HoloTile by Disney
Earlier this year, Disney announced a new product focused on the metaverse and physical activity: HoloTile. It’s a special modular floor design—small tiles that move autonomously—that allow the user to walk in any direction.
One of the biggest stumbling blocks of virtual reality right now is the user’s inability to physically move around the environment. This is achieved through special controllers that operate joysticks, like a video game console, to make the movement happen.
However, the HoloTile, similar to a treadmill, could offer such freedom of movement without physical space being an obstacle.
Sensory Gloves
While the ability to move freely in the virtual world is an activity that is still under development, so is the ability to “feel” the elements of the metaverse. One of the first developers in this field was Meta: already in 2021 they reported progress in this area and a year later, in 2022, they acquired Lofelt, a company specializing in haptic products.
The haptic gloves being developed by companies like HaptX and Meta themselves are bulky devices connected to a variety of cables and tubes via control consoles. More recently, the company Fluid Reality has developed gloves that are cheaper and lighter than those developed so far.
The job opportunities of the metaverse
Every technological advancement brings with it new jobs. The metaverse is no exception, and these jobs are the ones most in demand among companies today.
3D Animator
Immersive animation experiences require animators who are experts in three-dimensional environments. The 3D animator transforms flat objects into “lifelike”, voluminous, sometimes hyper-realistic figures. This is already widely used in the field of advertising.
For example, this ad was created using Unreal Engine 5, the latest version of the software that specializes in creating virtual worlds for video games, virtual reality, and interactive apps.
Blockchain Engineer
The blockchain engineer is the professional responsible for designing, developing, implementing and maintaining systems based on blockchain technology.
This technology provides a secure and decentralized infrastructure for the metaverse, meaning users can own and control their digital assets (such as avatars, skins, land, etc.) without relying on a central intermediary. This also prevents fraud within the metaverse.
Blockchain technology also enables the virtual economy of the metaverse, where users can use cryptocurrencies to trade goods and services. In addition, blockchain technology can also make the metaverse a more exciting reality by providing games and experiences where participants can earn rewards such as cryptocurrencies or virtual goods.
Augmented and Virtual Reality Hardware and Software Engineer
A logical career is that of a hardware and software developer with a focus on augmented and virtual reality: new devices and applications that provide a more enjoyable experience in real life and a more immersive experience in virtual life.
Cybersecurity expert
Metaverse cybersecurity experts are people who make the metaverse a safer place by preventing fraud, theft of NFT assets, avatar hacking, etc.
The metaverse faces a future where the only limit is technological advancement, but technology is constantly improving so that humanity can reach its next stage of evolution.
