The metaverse has become a bit of a “buzzword” in that many people don’t entirely understand what they’re talking about when it’s mentioned. Generally, people think of the metaverse as a platform for virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) gaming or perhaps even a virtual world to explore.
However, the true essence of the metaverse is so much more than that. In actuality, the metaverse is a digital realm of endless possibilities, and its awe-inspiring underlying technology, like spatial computing, is to thank for it.
While the metaverse may have initially been envisioned primarily as a platform for entertainment and recreation, technological advancements in recent years have seen it evolve into a more comprehensive tool with powerful and practical applications. Businesses are beginning to realize the potential of metaverse technology to improve and streamline their operations, allowing their employees to conduct aspects of their jobs more safely, efficiently, and affordably.
Understanding spatial computing
The technology that has been the key to the improvement of the metaverse is spatial computing. In the simplest terms, spatial computing revolution allows users to capture, process, and interact with three-dimensional data in a virtual environment. Essentially, it acts as a blend of the physical and digital realms, powering everything from VR and AR to data visualization.
Considering how broad of a technology spatial computing is, the average consumer will have already seen numerous applications of this innovation in their day-to-day lives. For example, spatial computing is an essential part of VR and AR gaming and is responsible for defining how users interact with digital objects within physical environments. Autonomous vehicles also use spatial computing as part of their navigational systems, but now, the metaverse is allowing spatial computing technologies to be used in even more exciting ways. Businesses are implementing spatial computing technologies into their operations to create immersive, interactive digital experiences. For example, spatial computing can be used to create models of real-life products and processes to assist with visualization, training, and other essential aspects of business operations.
The strengths of spatial computing revolution technology and the power of the metaverse perfectly accentuate each other, with each technology’s capabilities making the other stronger. Spatial computing technology is the backbone for many metaverse experiences, allowing users to navigate the virtual world with ease. At the same time, the intuitive interfaces of many metaverse platforms enable users to access spatial computing technology in a much easier-to-use way.
Spatial computing, digital twins, and digital showrooms
One incredible technology at the intersection of spatial computing and the metaverse is the digital twin — a virtual replica of a real-life asset, system, or object. These tools can be used for any number of purposes, including real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and performance optimization. Digital twins are an incredibly valuable resource that offers benefits like accelerated product development, reduced cost, and improved lifecycle management.
However, recent innovations have seen digital twins become even more advanced, thanks to the introduction of a concept known as the “inception twin.” What makes an inception twin different from a standard digital twin is that where standard digital twins typically come into existence simultaneously with their real-world counterparts, inception twins are conceived before the physical counterpart — sometimes many years before. Because of this, inception twins will change how machines are conceived and brought into existence.
Inception twins will also allow businesses to practice even greater levels of foresight, precision, and innovation than they would otherwise be able to achieve. Using inception twins, companies can envision, design, and optimize their machines to gain unparalleled insights into their performance, behavior, and potential challenges. Not only does this streamline development, but it also encourages continuous improvement and development and reduces the potential for problems to arise later in the process.
Digital twins also enable the creation of “digital showrooms,” which could revolutionize the sales process. Using digital twins, businesses can immersively and digitally bring their products directly to potential customers’ desktops. With these digital showrooms, potential customers will be able to see and interact with a product from the comfort and convenience of their device with a comparable level of detail to an in-person interaction. The result will be more informed, confident purchasing decisions.
Spatial computing revolution is changing how we understand the metaverse, creating powerful new tools like digital twins and digital showrooms that have the potential to revolutionize the business sector as we know it. This technology is pushing the limits of what’s possible in virtual experiences, providing unprecedented benefits in terms of immersion and interactivity. Businesses that embrace this digital transformation will be well on their way to accelerated growth and success.
