In this blog post, we will look at how close the metaverse has come to reality, focusing on sensory transmission devices and motion tracking technology.
The term “metaverse” is a combination of “meta,” meaning “beyond,” and “universe,” meaning “world,” and refers to a space where the real world and virtual space actively interact with each other. The metaverse goes beyond the concept of simple virtual reality and is a complex digital environment designed to provide users with experiences similar to reality. In this space, users can engage in various activities, including games, education, and work, which can encompass many aspects of the real world.
Sensory transmission devices are devices that transmit sensations to users based on what avatars representing users see and touch in the metaverse. Through this, users can experience the virtual space as if it were real and become immersed in the metaverse. HMDs, which are devices that transmit visual information, transmit images with a time difference* that represent the virtual space to both of the user’s eyes. As the transmitted images are combined in the brain, the user can perceive the three-dimensionality of the space and objects. This makes the user feel as if they are looking at objects in the real world, maximizing the sense of immersion in the virtual world.
Virtual reality gloves are devices that directly transmit sensory responses to the user’s hands as if they were touching objects in a virtual space. Virtual reality gloves are designed to allow users to feel the size, shape, and temperature of virtual objects touched by avatars in a virtual space. In addition, virtual reality gloves can move avatars according to the movements of the user’s fingers and arms. This strengthens the connection between the user and the avatar, enabling more realistic interactions.
Meanwhile, users can enjoy a highly immersive metaverse experience by using a spatial movement device that transmits the user’s movements to the avatar. A virtual reality treadmill, which is a spatial movement device, is installed in a fixed space and supports the movement of the floor so that users can move in all directions. This makes users feel as if they are actually walking, enabling them to move freely in a virtual environment.
The motion tracking system used with the virtual reality treadmill is a system that synchronizes the avatar’s movements with the user’s movements, consisting of motion tracking sensors, inertial measurement sensors, and pressure sensors. Motion tracking sensors detect the user’s movements, while inertial measurement sensors measure the rate of change in the user’s speed and rotation speed. Pressure sensors measure the pressure exerted between different objects. If the user wears shoes with pressure sensors attached to the soles and runs, the pressure sensors detect the pressure between the ground and the soles of the feet, allowing the system to determine the force exerted by the user.
When the motion tracking system transmits the user’s motion information to the computer, the computer controls the treadmill floor according to the direction and speed of the user’s movement. In this way, the movement of the treadmill changes according to the user’s movement, but the speed, direction, and incline of the treadmill floor also change according to changes in the virtual space environment where the avatar exists. These technological advances greatly enhance the quality of the metaverse experience by allowing users to realistically experience physical reactions in virtual spaces.
In addition, the virtual space scenes displayed on the HMD change according to the user’s movements and changes in the treadmill’s operation, providing users with an even more realistic experience. These technologies go beyond mere visual and tactile experiences, enabling users to interact more naturally and intuitively within the metaverse, which will revolutionize the digital experience in the future.
The metaverse has great potential for further development, and it will be used in various fields beyond simple entertainment, such as education, job training, and remote work. For example, virtual classrooms allow students to learn in an environment similar to the real world, and remote work environments allow employees to collaborate even when they are physically apart. These possibilities show that the metaverse has the potential to become deeply ingrained in our lives and change many aspects of our daily lives.
