Meta shows new Metaverse vision

In a new Metaverse vision, Meta fights against the devaluation of the virtual - and shows the use of technology for medicine and education.

Critics of Facebook's metaverse turn question the sense of a 3D internet or fear a dystopia in which meta lures people into a virtual world for the sake of advertising profits, where they then fritter away as much of their lives as possible.

Virtuality is not the opposite of reality

With a new promotional video, Meta is responding very directly to critical voices that fear a devaluation of reality through an increase in the virtual - or that Meta, as in the past 18 years, continues to be interested purely in advertising sales.

The company deliberately highlights that experiences made or things learned in the virtual world have real value. It also shows how XR can enrich the real world. In the Metaverse unveiling, the focus was even more on purely virtual and abstract, colourful worlds.

"Some say the metaverse is only virtual," the video begins, then moves into some positive scenarios for medicine and education, ending with a benefit note: "The metaverse may be virtual, but the impact will be real."

"Many of the benefits of the Metaverse will only be unlocked through advances that are yet to come. But they are within reach. We hope this video shows that the impact on education, healthcare and much more will be very real," writes Metas PR chief Nick Clegg.

Outlook on future technologies - Reality Check

The VR-AR glasses that Meta presents as part of this vision of the future are particularly interesting.

The surgery example is technically realistic and can probably already be implemented with already available professional XR glasses such as those from Varjo. Hand tracking works and is already quite precise via the camera. The tracking finger hats on the doctor's fingers could further increase the precision for surgical training and be an indication of the additional input options Meta is currently working on.

Then there are the VR scenarios in the lecture hall and the virtual class excursion to ancient Rome: here, the most striking thing is the lifelike audiovisual presentation, which can no longer be distinguished from reality.

Source: Mixed