The cyberphysical metaverse refers to the application of Web3 technologies to solve physical, real-world problems, developing the metaverse organically, and introducing it to a diverse range of individuals and organizations.
Using “Metaversal” Solutions to Bridge the Digital Divide
Several industries have successfully adopted cyberphysical solutions, such as smart cities and the industrial metaverse. On the other hand, many legacy industries were left behind by the Digital Revolution years ago, such as music, journalism, education, and healthcare, along with nearly all brick & mortar businesses. Revolutionary technologies, such as blockchain, NFTs, DAOs, and smart contracts, coupled with the latest developments in IoT, XR, robotics, and haptics, enable us to reconsider seemingly intractable problems and introduce new possibilities.
Collaboration, Cooperation & “Coopetition”
Currently, access to information about essential human needs, such as commerce, social engagement, and general queries, are dominated by Amazon, Meta, and Google, respectively. These systems have become bottlenecks of filtered, incomplete, unreliable information. They throttle access to applications, users, and assets through closed platforms and devices, control of recommendation engines, and lack of interoperability. By stifling access to information, the fuel for innovation, they preserve the existing ecosystem. For this reason, collective effort and secure, approved, information sharing are both essential for those participating in the Cyberphysical Metaverse. Competition and cooperation are not mutually exclusive–with the help of trustless technologies and actual trust, organizations may leverage each other's strengths while navigating the challenges of their industry through “coopetition.”
A Metaverse Built on Physical Interactions and Human Needs
This physical-first approach to deploying hybrid, “cyberphysical” (digital and physical) systems also gives us the opportunity to develop a metaverse based on natural human interactions, contextualized information, and an organically evolving, open network of individuals, organizations, and systems. Any planned approach to developing the metaverse will result in worlds overpopulated with gamers, techies, and speculators. A utilitarian approach may improve the lives of a diverse population who use the systems for a wide range of purposes. As these people become more comfortable engaging with cyberphysical products, they become more likely to engage with the immersive metaverse. The first world in the metaverse should be this one.
Principles
Interoperability, accessibility, decentralization, security, and user-control are all benefits of many Web3 technologies. Systems in the cyberphysical metaverse must employ these principles to all off-chain components as well as the following:
Human-Centered
Design and development should consider human wants, needs, and abilities. Digital interactions should be passive or intentional, but never intrusive. Systems should learn from engagement not direct it.
QR to XR
When possible, products should be designed to function with minimal device requirements with the possibility of scaling up appropriately.
Access to Information
Not all information should be subject to a commercial marketplace. Between participating organizations, information should be shared when it may benefit the system as a whole and not detract from the primary service.
A Phygital Future
We live in blended worlds – virtual & tangible, private & public, personal & professional – that require trustworthy, reliable tools to navigate. Building towards a Cyberphysical Metaverse using Web3 technologies enables us to foster an ecosystem that rewards usefulness, creativity, and originality, while addressing long-overlooked but desperately needed challenges.