The technology of the Metaverse refers to the various tools and platforms that are being developed to create a fully immersive, virtual world. This technology involves a combination of hardware and software that is designed to allow users to interact with each other and with virtual environments in real-time.
One of the key technologies that is driving the development of the Metaverse is virtual reality (VR). VR technology allows users to enter a completely immersive digital environment that feels like a real world. This technology is being used to create virtual worlds that users can explore and interact with using VR headsets and other devices.
Another important technology for the Metaverse is blockchain. Blockchain technology provides a decentralized system for storing and managing data, which is critical for creating a secure and transparent virtual economy. Blockchain is being used to create virtual currencies and other digital assets that can be traded and exchanged within the Metaverse.
In addition, the technology of the Metaverse also includes artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). These technologies are being used to create intelligent virtual agents and NPCs (non-playable characters) that can interact with users in a more natural and engaging way.
Overall, the technology of the Metaverse is a rapidly evolving field, with many different companies and organizations working to create a functional, fully immersive virtual world. It is expected to have a significant impact on a wide range of industries, including gaming, entertainment, education, and more.
Hardware
Access points for the metaverse includes general-purpose computers and smartphones, augmented reality, mixed reality, and virtual reality.[9]
Dependence on VR technology has limited metaverse development and wide-scale adoption.[9] Limitations of portable hardware and the need to balance cost and design have caused a lack of high-quality graphics and mobility.[51] Lightweight wireless headsets have struggled to achieve retina display pixel density needed for visual immersion.[51] Another issue for wide-scale adoption of the technology is cost, with consumer VR headsets ranging in price from $300 to $3500 as of 2022.[8][4]
Current hardware development is focused on overcoming limitations of VR headsets, sensors, and increasing immersion with haptic technology.[52]
Software
There has been no wide-scale adoption of a standardized technical specification for metaverse implementations, and existing implementations rely primarily on proprietary technology. Interoperability is a major concern in metaverse development, stemming from concerns about transparency and privacy.[53] There have been several virtual environment standardization projects.
Universal Scene Description is a specification for 3D computer graphics interchange created by Pixar and supported by Blender, Apple‘s SceneKit and Autodesk 3ds Max. The technology company NVIDIA announced in 2021 they would adopt USD for their metaverse development tools.
glTF is a specification for the efficient transmission and loading of 3D scenes and models by engines and applications created by the Khronos Group, an industry consortium developing royalty free open standards. In August 2022 it was announced that glTF 2.0 had been released as the ISO/IEC 12113:2022 International Standard.[60]
OpenXR is an open standard for access to virtual and augmented reality devices and experiences. It has been adopted by Microsoft for HoloLens 2,[61] Meta Platforms for the Oculus Quest,[62] HTC for the HTC Vive,[63] Qualcomm for the Snapdragon Spaces XR Developer Platform,[64] and Valve for SteamVR.[65][66]