MEMS for Expanding Possibilities for the Metaverse

Virtual Reality (VR)

VR stands for virtual reality. Using a dedicated device such as a head-mounted display, users can experience a virtual world as if it were the real world. Since VR space is a complete virtual space different from the real world, it has been used mainly in the field of entertainment due to its high affinity with games. Recently, the scope of its use has expanded considerably to include travel and occupational experiences. Also, because virtual spaces can be experienced together and are compatible with the metaverse, the metaverse is often associated with VR.

Augmented Reality (AR)

AR stands for augmented reality, which is a technology that superimposes a virtual space on the real world. For example, by launching an application that utilizes the camera function of a smartphone, it is possible to make game characters appear in the real world or display a guide map of tourist attractions. Uses of this AR technology are growing even more rapidly than VR. For example, in the retail industry, AR technology is used in services that allow users to select furniture on an app and virtually place it in their room by simply holding their smartphone over the room area.

Mixed Reality (MR)

MR refers to a technology that fuses reality with the virtual world. While AR only projects virtual information in real space, MR enables direct manipulation of virtual information objects projected in the real world and simultaneous experience by multiple people. It is characterized by the interactive influence from the real world to the virtual space and from the virtual space to the real world. Also, while AR can be easily experienced using a smartphone, MR, like VR, requires a dedicated device.

Substitutional Reality (SR)

SR stands for substitutional reality, which is a technology that projects images of reality captured in the past onto the present world. Using a head-mounted display, users can experience past events as if they were happening now, in a space where real and past objects exist simultaneously. Although there are few examples of practical applications at this time (as of February 2023), the technology is being considered for use in realistic horror experiences, psychotherapy, and driving simulators that will be more realistic than ever before.

Not all of these technologies are essential to experiencing the metaverse. However, by using XR technology, we can become more immersed in the virtual space and enjoy a new way of communication that is different from the real world.

E-commerce (EC)

The metaverse is attracting attention from companies as a place for new business opportunities, and an increasing number of companies are setting up virtual stores in the metaverse. In a virtual store, you can purchase items not only in the metaverse, but also in the real world. Some platforms allow shoppers to move between floors as if they were in a department store so that people can enjoy shopping as if it were real without having to go out.

With chat functions and avatars of store staff to provide customer service, this unprecedented e-commerce experience is expected to become a new sales channel for both companies and users.

Entertainment

The entertainment sector has recently seen rapidly growing use of the metaverse, as events and concerts were cancelled and facilities were closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The development of a robust telecommunications infrastructure, as typified by the 5G mentioned before, has also helped to bring a variety of events to the Internet, such as virtual live performances and virtual museums.
For example, virtual concerts can now offer unprecedented experiences, such as multiple stages that allow multiple events to be held simultaneously and chat functions for fans to chat with each other, while virtual museums can provide multilingual support and allow large numbers of people to view exhibits simultaneously.

It also creates new experiential value where both reality and the metaverse are closely intertwined. For example, efforts are underway to create a space that reproduces a real city, allowing for simulated sightseeing and events that can only be held in a virtual space.
Also, a fashion show held in the metaverse space distributed digital data clothing that could be used for avatars and sold clothing and accessories that could be picked up at real stores.
The ability to cross over between the real and virtual worlds in this way is one of the most exciting aspects of the metaverse.

Gaming

The use of the metaverse has existed since the early stages in the field of gaming. These games resembled a type of metaverse because they allowed users to live a life similar to that of the real world by controlling an avatar, growing crops, and interacting with others in a virtual space.
Massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG), in which multiple players simultaneously participate and cooperate to complete the game, is also considered to have elements of a metaverse because players can communicate with each other through their avatars. The market is full of wide range of games related to the metaverse.

In recent years, these games have been drawing new attention for their use beyond the framework of games, such as spontaneous events among users.

Development of New Businesses

The metaverse has not only expanded existing markets such as e-commerce, entertainment, and gaming, but has also created completely new experiences that were previously unimaginable, such as sightseeing and virtual offices from the comfort of your own home.
The security of transactions in the metaverse space is also being strengthened by cryptocurrencies/virtual currencies and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) due to advances in blockchain technology. This has increased the value of the metaverse as a space with its own economic sphere, and various business possibilities are expected in the future.