“As we step into this digital frontier, it is important to remember that the metaverse is not a replacement for the physical world, but rather a powerful tool to enhance it, to create a future where technology empowers us to live more sustainably, connect more meaningfully, and explore the far reaches of human imagination.”
Picture yourself entering a realm filled with a whirlwind of diverse experiences: starting the day with a private tour of the Louvre, followed by shopping with Paris Hilton, attending a work meeting, relaxing on the rooftop of Snoop Dogg’s California mansion and ending the night with Bhangra with Daler Mehndi. The twist? You never left your home. Anyone can traverse this collection of virtual worlds as an avatar of oneself, using a computer and Virtual Reality (VR) headset. It’s interesting to note that, in a span of just three decades, what first appeared in Neal Stevenson’s science fiction novel Snow Crash published in 1992, the Metaverse, as a concept has evolved into a digital landscape with endless possibilities: industrial design, personalised shopping, immersive education, climate modelling and even partying with your favourite celebrity’s AI avatar. It is predicted that usage of this platform will add $5 trillion to the global economy by 2030 (Forbes).
Through its disruptive transformation, the metaverse has moved us closer to a simulated reality. The ‘digital twin’, a virtual representation of any physical object or system synchronises the real with the virtual in the digital world. This technology can consolidate data from multiple facets of reality, including physical systems, human society and economic behaviour, creating a diversified virtual environment. Such synchronisation, through Internet of Things (IoT) connections, augmented reality and AI algorithms, allows for real-time analysis of data and monitoring systems to be conceptualised, tested, fine-tuned, before working on the project in reality.
In this quagmire of sinking into a world where your carbon footprint shrinks with every virtual purchase, where your next car isn’t a metal behemoth, but a sleek, emissions-free avatar, where travel isn’t a jet-fueled adventure, but a seamless journey across breathtaking virtual landscapes, the metaverse has immense potential to tackle climate change and reduce carbon emissions, through the substitution of physical goods with digital alternatives and replacing real-world presence with virtual interactions.
The virtual replica of Earth tracks patterns in climate data and predicts changes in the Earth’s climate. The detailed and interactive model can allow researchers from around the world to analyse shifts in the atmosphere and oceans in real-time, assess the impact of regional climate change and devise effective strategies for mitigation and adaptation.
Singapore discovered a two-fold solution that helped it efficiently utilise its scarce land, alongside identifying at-risk areas for flash floods. Virtual Singapore, a dynamic 3D city model, acts as a virtual laboratory for researchers to test and develop new smart city technologies like smart grids, using fewer resources. Planners can gain deeper insights into new infrastructure, green space management, evaluating transportation policies, and optimising energy usage to promote sustainable and resilient urban development. Virtual Singapore has enabled real-time monitoring of the GreenPrint project, the sustainable district with sensor-lighting and automated waste collection, and how it can be applied in other districts.
Virtual cities demonstrate the potential of digital twins for addressing urban challenges in a diverse setting like India. Taking the example of the tech city, Bangalore, home to cutting-edge innovation and vibrant startups, now notorious for its mind-numbing traffic jams. But a virtual replica of the city could hold the key to unlocking its gridlocked potential. With the potential to simulate traffic flows and test traffic management to reduce congestion, improve air quality and optimise public transportation networks, the Metaverse is the key.
But the benefits go beyond just traffic management. A digital twin can help us plan for other urban challenges, from waste management to disaster preparedness. Another application is the identification of potential areas for new housing development and enhancement of land use planning to ensure sufficient affordable housing in urban cities. Falcon Labs, a Mumbai-based company, offers a configurable plug-and-play service for smartening infrastructure utilities, allowing clients to improve their energy, water, and HVAC systems to minimise their carbon footprint.
Another interesting aspect of its functionality can be seen within the fashion industry, which is responsible for over 10% of annual global carbon emissions, predicted to surge to more than 50% by 2030 (World Bank). The metaverse is not just about futuristic outfits and virtual runway shows – it’s about reshaping the fashion industry towards a more sustainable future. Say goodbye to overflowing landfills and the environmental impact of fast fashion. In the metaverse, fashion takes on a digital form, with clothing and accessories existing as virtual wearables for your avatar. Compared to traditional physical clothing, producing digital wearables results in 97% less greenhouse gas emissions and saves 3,300 litres of water consumption. The metaverse offers a unique opportunity to bridge the gap between the physical and virtual worlds in the ‘Phygital’ model which provides a personalised customer experience through online trials (saving resources in so many ways other than shipment and returns), where blockchain technology can monitor the supply chain and inventory management.
Amongst the application of digital twins spanning several industries as diverse as automotive, supply chain, architecture, retail, construction, healthcare and Manufacturing-as-a-Service (MaaS), a digital twin might be applied to reveal structural vulnerabilities in vehicles, new warehouse locations, distribution routes that can cut costs and save time, and even individualised genome sequencing for cancer patients.
The industrial metaverse is enabling companies to create a virtual replication of factories to improve efficiency and optimise the manufacturing process. In simulations of product lines, running forecasts based on “what if” scenarios and instantaneous data assimilation are helping to predict product efficiency, quality, lifecycle and resource optimisation, and facilitate necessary adjustments in operations. System settings can be programmed to alert operators about any potential dangers when vital indicators are outside normal parameters. For instance, General Electric uses its factory in the metaverse to simulate wind turbines to better predict engine degradation over time. This analysis preps customers in the aviation industry on the right time for maintenance, to enhance performance and reduce millions of dollars in costs.
Recently, consumers experienced 360-degree views from the driver’s seat of the new Fiat 500, ranging from its infotainment system to EV charging modes, and even customised features in real-time. Siemens Healthineers is developing a digital patient twin, enabling doctors to create a personalised comprehensive preventive or treatment plan, including medications, diagnostics, and therapies based on an individual’s existing health information in the metaverse. Accenture has created a replica of its office spaces in its metaverse ‘Nth floor’, where employees undertake meetings and training. With the advent of Extended Reality (XR), training procedures ranging from fire safety to military defence training can be effectively implemented through real-time instructions and guidance for an overall captivating learning experience.
From optimising urban planning to virtual clothing revolutionising the fashion industry, the potential applications of Metaverse are as vast as our imagination. Today it is not just a new avenue for entertainment and social interaction, rather it has become a gateway to a near future where the boundaries between physical and digital worlds seem to blur.
Maybe so, but the metaverse does pose its fair share of challenges as well. Ethical considerations, data privacy concerns, and the need for equitable access are issues that need introspection. However, through responsible development, collaboration, and commitment to inclusivity, we can navigate these conflictions to build a platform that benefits all.
As we step into this digital frontier, it is important to remember that the metaverse is not a replacement for the physical world, but rather a powerful tool to enhance it, to create a future where technology empowers us to live more sustainably, connect more meaningfully, and explore the far reaches of human imagination.
So, prepare yourselves, explorers, creators, and innovators. The metaverse awaits, and it’s time to rewrite the rules of reality.
By:-Sanjam Singh
References:
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Takyar, A. (2023, January 9). Digital twin and Metaverse. LeewayHertz – AI Development Company. https://www.leewayhertz.com/digital-twin-and-metaverse/
Environment, & Environment. (2023, July 1). Metaverse, Sustainability and Future of Fashion: How virtual clothing is leading the way – The Environment. The Environment – Join hands to save environment. https://www.theenvironment.in/2023/07/01/metaverse-sustainability-and-future-of-fashion-how-virtual-clothing-is-leading-the-way/
Prime, G. (2022, October 28). Virtual Singapore – Building a 3D-Empowered Smart Nation. Geospatial World. https://www.geospatialworld.net/prime/case-study/national-mapping/virtual-singapore-building-a-3d-empowered-smart-nation/
Lv, Z., & Fridenfalk, M. (2023). Digital twins for building industrial metaverse. Journal of Advanced Research. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jare.2023.11.019
Digital Fashion Sustainability Report. (2022). https://dressx.com/pages/sustainability