The metaverse is a new digital revolution that combines the physical and digital world to form an immersive and augmented metaverse world. Zuckerberg at Meta believes the metaverse is the next internet platform where we’ll shop, socialize, learn, play games and hold business meetings. Gartner predicts 25% of people will spend at least one hour a day in the metaverse by 2026[1]. How the metaverse can be the next internet platform? We will try to give an answer using the integration of Web3 + spatial computing to form the inter-connected spatial webs in the front-end and the decentralized data networks in the back-end of the internet.
Web3 Ecosystem
Web3 ecosystem includes decentralized networks like blockchain networks and other distributed ledger networks (e.g., DAG (Directed Acyclic Graph) based IOTA), Web3 wallets (e.g., Metamask), decentralized storage solutions (e.g., IPFS (InterPlanetary File System)), decentralized applications (e.g., DAO (Decentralized Autonomous Organization)) and digital assets (e.g., cryptocurrencies and NFTs).
To deploy Web3 fully, further progresses of technology innovation in each ecosystem component are needed. Some examples are as follows.
- Interoperability among decentralized networks
Regarding the blockchain networks, potential interoperability solutions are:
Layer 1 approach: multichain/cross-chain blockchain networks – Cosmos/Polkadot
Layer 2 approach: relays/sidechains/cross-chain swaps – Plasma/Rollups
- Scalability to process high volume transactions/achieve high TPSs (transaction per second)
Regarding the blockchain networks, potential scalability solutions are:
Layer 1 approach: Ethereum’s dynamic sharding/ Polkadot
Layer 2 approach: Bitcoin’s Lightning Network/ Plasma/StarkWare
- Security of Web3 wallets
Secure MPC (Multi-Party Computation) can be a potential solution for the security of Web3 wallets. Secure MPC is a cryptographic protocol that distributes a computation across multiple parties where no individual party can see the other parties’ data. MPC + biometrics can provide more secure Web3 wallet development.
Spatial Computing for Metaverse
Spatial computing extends computing power into the space around us to provide the new experiences through interaction with the spatial objects and environments. According to the Wikipedia, spatial computing is the digitalization of physical world to form a digitally represented real world in which human can interaction with machines, people, objects, and the environments[2]. Thus, the spatial computing is the next step in the ongoing convergence of the physical and digital worlds[3].
Spatial computing integrates reality technologies like virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) to interface with both the virtual and the physical world at the same time. Spatial computing can provide 3D models for building a metaverse world: 3D models can be produced by scanning real-world objects and mapping the locations and space.
Web3 + Spatial Computing Integration
Metaverse is a new way for people to use the internet by transforming it from 2D to 3D. Spatial computing can provide 3D models for building a metaverse world. These 3D models construe 3D virtual objects and spaces (environments). These 3D spaces can be considered as the 3D web pages, and these 3D objects can be considered as 3D web contents. These 3D web pages and 3D web contents can be called in integration as the spatial webs. Users can walk around inside of 3D spaces and interact with other users and 3D objects. In other words, users can interact with the web contents virtually and immerse themselves in the web pages of the spatial webs. XR devices (e.g., VR devices) can be a new interface for the spatial webs like mobile devices for the Web2 webs.
These spatial webs in the front-end of the internet can be inter-connected using the Web3 decentralized data networks in the back-end of the internet to form the next internet platform. The Web3 decentralized data networks in the back-end of the internet enables DAO type operations of the metaverse world built on the next internet platform.
Conclusion
Metaverse is a new way for people to use the internet by transforming it from 2D to 3D. The integration of Web3 + spatial computing provides the next internet platform in which the inter-connected spatial webs in the front-end and the decentralized data networks in the back-end of the internet forms a metaverse world.
Endnote
In addition to Web3 and special computing, distributed physical computing like edge computing (over the IoT devices) and intelligence like edge AI can be included on the next internet platform to build the complete metaverse world. Edge computing refers to the transition of compute and storage resources closer to endpoint devices in order to reduce application latency, improve service capabilities, and improve compliance with security or data privacy requirements. Edge AI is the deployment of AI applications on the edge computing devices.
TechIpm, LLC is a professional consulting and incubating firm in digital technology innovation and related IP development. TechIPm’s current focus is to develop a metaverse enterprise platform and its applications in ESG/sustainability digital transformation (e.g., next generation solution for dynamic carbon net-zero management). TechIPm’s business includes technology/IP analysis & development, technology commercialization & monetization, strategic business development and project management in the field of AI, blockchain, IoT, big data, cybercecurity, digital twins, sustainability and metaverse.
Alex G. Lee, Ph.D., Esq., is a CEO and principal consultant at TechIPm, LLC. Alex is an emerging IT/digital technology innovation and sustainable business strategy expert with 30 years experience in the High tech industry. Alex is, a partner at Vincula Group, a New York State attorney, a US patent attorney and a CLP (Certified Licensing Professional). Alex is also a founder of the online forums: Enterprise/Industrial Metaverse Forum and ESGDX Forum. Alex holds a Ph.D. degree in physics from the Johns Hopkins University, a J.D. degree from the Suffolk University Law School and executive certificate in strategy and innovation from MIT Sloan School of Management.