Search Results (209)

This paper deals with unwanted spatial distortion in virtual environments and its impact on the construction of metaverse environments that require high precision, especially in fields with specific requirements, such as medicine. At the same time, it presents the main technical factors leading to this phenomenon. The paper also emphasizes that data reliability is the first factor that needs to be analyzed and evaluated. Through a comprehensive analysis of the limitations of traditional methods and the development trend of techniques based on Artificial Intelligence (AI), a data processing method based on the Gaussian process regression method is proposed. Through experiments and result analysis, this method significantly improves data reliability, thereby enhancing the accuracy of avatar motion simulation in the virtual environment of the metaverse. Future research trends include further improvement of processing accuracy and speed; deploying on real devices; expanding the research into other factors contributing to unintended spatial distortions; exploring and applying appropriate processing techniques and technologies to enhance simulation reliability in virtual metaverse environments. Full article

In the context of post-pandemic remote work normalization and the emergence of the metaverse, virtual workspaces have attracted significant attention as critical digital infrastructure with promising application prospects. While virtual workspaces enable efficient task performance, compared with traditional ones, the lack of emotional connection between humans and machines adversely affects participants’ mental health. The emergence of affective computing has made it possible to endow virtual workspaces with “affective intelligence”. Therefore, this study aims to clarify the relationship between color and participants’ emotions in virtual workspaces through an experiment involving 48 participants, and eight virtual workspaces were constructed, incorporating four color conditions (red, blue, yellow, and green) and two workspace types (shared and single). Data were synchronously collected using the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), a questionnaire item on arousal, electrodermal activity (EDA), and heart rate variability (HRV). The results successfully established specific associations between colors and emotions: red with “anxious”, yellow with “happy”, and blue with “calm”. Although no specific emotion word was identified for green, this study successfully achieved the emotion classification of virtual workspaces and constructed a corresponding dataset. These findings provide a theoretical foundation for the development of affective computing models. Full article

This article proposes a complex solution to improve sustainable intelligent building management based on the principles of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors. The ESG KPI Framework–Metaverse-Enabled Operations incorporates the latest digital twin solutions, IoT sensor systems, and metaverse platforms to deliver real-time management and optimization of ESG factors. A hybrid solution strategy has been used in this framework, focusing on auto-acquisition of information and multiple validations at different levels through correlation analysis, Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression, and Machine Learning. The designed prototype links all the solutions together in a multi-level dashboard to represent key performance factors such as carbon footprint, energy consumption, renewable energy use, and occupant wellness. Experiments conducted validate the effectiveness of the proposed solution in improving prediction efficiency and user interaction experience during metaverse simulations. Full article

This article presents a part of the industrial metaverse for electric drive system diagnostics. The advantages of using a low-code/no-code platform for electric drive systems diagnostics are demonstrated. Five diagnostic scenarios were developed, programmed, and implemented. The article demonstrates the implementation and use of the platform’s main functional blocks: a visualization block (which displays the state of electric machines in any user-friendly form—graphs, Park’s vector diagrams, or diagnostic curves); a digital twin block (which simulates various engine states); a digital twin block with an engine defect (which simulates faulty engine states); and an artificial intelligence block (which trains classification model to predict various engine states). Experiments on training the artificial intelligence block using a misalignment defect dataset are presented. The dataset was divided into six classes: engine operation with/without a defect under no load, engine operation with/without a defect under a 50% load, and engine operation with/without a defect under a 100% load. The workflow for training and using the model, the basic training approaches, and the distinguishability of the presented classes are demonstrated. The model training results are shown. The article presents a methodology for extensive testing of program functionality. The obtained results demonstrate the feasibility of implementing a low-code/no-code platform and the feasibility of solving the assigned tasks with its help, as well as the simplification and reduction in engineering solution development time. Full article

In recent years, several countries have introduced strategic plans aimed at promoting metaverse ecosystems. While these initiatives highlight the metaverse as both a technological frontier and a policy priority, the underlying rationales and metaverse approaches remain insufficiently understood. This gap raises the need to critically examine why governments are investing in the metaverse ecosystem and how metaverse is being approached as an innovative platform for digital public services and businesses. An inductive and deductive content analysis was conducted on various regional, national and supranational metaverse strategic plans (n = 7). Virtual worlds can be understood as persistent, immersive, and interactive digital environments that integrate 3D visualisation, simulation, and real-time data to support activities across social and economic domains. The findings indicate that the metaverse is a virtual space shaped by the dual imperative of addressing societal needs—such as public service delivery and stakeholder engagement—and fostering business opportunities within the evolving digital ecosystem. The analysis revealed four main reasons to promote the social and industrial metaverse ecosystem: sustainability; digital sovereignty; competitive advantage and stakeholder building relationship. The results indicate that the metaverse operates mainly through both transactional and connected approaches, where digital twins, artificial intelligence, and extended reality converge to enable user experiences in ways that transcend physical limitations. Full article

The Metaverse—an evolving convergence of virtual and physical realities—has emerged as a transformative platform, particularly within the fashion and retail industries. Its immersive nature aligns closely with the principles of flow theory, which describes the optimal psychological state of deep engagement and enjoyment. This study investigates the dynamics of fashion retail shopping in the Metaverse through a novel multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) framework. Specifically, it integrates the CRITIC and ARAS methods within a spherical fuzzy environment to address decision-making under uncertainty. Flow theory is employed as the theoretical lens, with its dimensions serving as evaluation criteria. By incorporating spherical fuzzy sets, the model accommodates expert uncertainty more effectively. The findings provide empirical insights into the relative importance of flow constructs in shaping immersive consumer experiences in Metaverse-based retail environments. This study offers both theoretical contributions to the literature on digital consumer behavior and practical implications for fashion brands navigating immersive virtual ecosystems. Sensitivity analyses and comparative validation further demonstrate the robustness of the proposed framework. Full article

We examine how gamification attributes shape user preferences for metaverse platforms and how these relationships vary across age groups. Using rank-ordered logit on 304 metaverse users from the Korean Media Panel Survey, we code platform features into four domains—character customization, experience/skill systems, social networking, and economic systems—and link them to stated preference rankings of leading services. Results show that realistic avatars and expressive behaviors are positively associated with preference, whereas complex body/environment customization is not. Within experience/skill systems, quest presence, content creation, and real-world–mirroring quests relate positively to preference, while excessive freedom/option breadth does not. In social networking, close interactions and group conversation capacity are valued, but rigid chat-window styles are not. Users also prefer low device dependency and real-world task utility. Age heterogeneity emerges: teens show stronger interest in appearance customization, whereas users in their twenties and thirties value mirroring quests, conversational freedom, and monetization. We provide design guidelines for segment-sensitive gamification and discuss implications for inclusive metaverse retail and service strategy. Full article

The demand for mental health support has highlighted the potential of conversational AI and immersive metaverses. However, these technologies possess weaknesses. The AI agents are intelligent but often disembodied, while metaverse environments provide a sense of presence but typically lack dynamic and intelligent responsiveness. To address this gap, we design and verify an experimental environment integrated with a conversational AI agent, enabled by ChatGPT, into a metaverse platform. We conducted a within-subjects experiment with 15 participants who interacted with the agent in both the immersive metaverse and a standard text-chat interface to investigate user preferences and subjective experiences. After the experiment, participants are required to answer a questionnaire to assign the scores, which can represent the user preferences and subjective experiences. The results showed that the scores were slightly different between the two conditions. Especially, qualitative feedback from participants revealed that all participants subjectively reported the AI-Metaverse condition as better. This study provides an exploratory study to demonstrate the potential of human–AI interaction in mental health support that should be further investigated. Full article

Augmented reality (AR) displays are pivotal for delivering immersive experiences in the metaverse, thus driving significant research interest. Current AR systems, predominantly relying on diffraction principles, often suffer from low efficiency and face challenges in realizing monolithic full-color operation. Herein, we propose an AR system that integrates a broadband and highly efficient meta-grating in-coupler and an elliptical meta-grating out-coupler onto a single thin glass substrate. The meta-gratings, with unique nanostructures, enable coupling efficiency exceeding 60% for red (R), green (G), and blue (B) wavelengths across the entire field of view (FOV). Image-bearing light is first coupled into a single-layer optical waveguide via the meta-grating, then undergoes two-dimensional expansion through the elliptical meta-grating, and is ultimately coupled into the human eye to form a large AR FOV. Experimentally, we fabricated an optical waveguide prototype and validated the system’s high efficiency and color-enhanced imaging capabilities. This work advances the development of monolithic, trichromatic, highly efficient, and large FOV AR displays based on meta-grating technology. Full article

The growing demand for real-time human motion reconstruction in Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and the Metaverse requires high accuracy with minimal hardware. This paper presents SSR-HMR, a skeleton-aware, sparse node-based method for full-body motion reconstruction from limited inputs. The approach incorporates a lightweight spatiotemporal graph convolutional module, a torso pose refinement design to mitigate orientation drift, and kinematic tree-based optimization to enhance end-effector positioning accuracy. Smooth motion transitions are achieved via a multi-scale velocity loss. Experiments demonstrate that SSR-HMR achieves high-accuracy reconstruction, with mean joint and end-effector position errors of 1.06 cm and 0.52 cm, respectively, while operating at 267 FPS on a CPU. Full article

The increasing prevalence of mental health disorders highlights the need for innovative and accessible interventions. Although existing digital meditation applications offer valuable basic guidance, they often lack interactivity, real-time personalized feedback, and dynamic simulation of real-life scenarios necessary for comprehensive experiential training applicable to daily stressors. To address these limitations, this study developed a novel immersive meditation system specifically designed for deployment within a metaverse environment. The system provides mindfulness practice through two distinct modules within the virtual world. The experience-based module delivers AI-driven social interactions within simulated everyday scenarios, with narrative content dynamically generated by large language models (LLMs), followed by guided inner reflection, thereby forming a scenario–experience–reflection cycle. The breathing-focused module provides real-time feedback through a breath-synchronization interface to enhance respiratory awareness. The feasibility and preliminary effects of this metaverse-based system were explored in a two-week, single-group, pre-test/post-test study involving 31 participants. The participants completed a battery of validated psychological questionnaires assessing psychological distress, mindfulness, acceptance, self-compassion, and self-esteem before and after engaging in the intervention. This study provides exploratory evidence supporting the feasibility and potential of immersive metaverse environments and LLM-based scenario generation for structured mental health interventions, providing initial insights into their psychological impact and user experience. Full article

Metaverse tourism refers to the application of immersive digital technologies—such as virtual reality, augmented reality, and blockchain—within tourism experiences. It enables users to explore destinations, participate in cultural experiences, and interact socially within persistent, 3D virtual environments. While it offers new ways of experiencing tourism beyond physical boundaries, it also introduces novel ethical, technological, and social dilemmas. This entry is written as an encyclopedia entry rather than a systematic review or empirical study. It is intended as a conceptual and integrative overview of current knowledge and debates, informed by peer-reviewed research, industry reports, and illustrative case examples. Full article

The objective of this study is to explore the use of emerging technologies such as the Metaverse and Digital Twin to highlight how these can be used to analyse and improve the perception of security in urban parks. Through the proposed methodological approach, which combines real data collection, 3D modelling, immersive simulations, and user feedback, a virtual environment representative of the Quartieri Spagnoli Park in Naples, chosen as a case study, was developed and tested. The experimentation involved a heterogeneous group of users and consisted of two phases of questionnaire administration, one in person and one in a virtual environment, to compare the individual and collective perceptions of users in relation to issues such as disorientation, lighting, and maintenance. The results obtained made it possible to identify a correspondence between the data collected in the two environments, and to highlight any critical issues that emerged. Undoubtedly, the virtual experience proved to be useful, accessible, and immersive, demonstrating the potential of these tools not only in identifying issues but especially in supporting participatory design and urban planning with a view to a smart city. In urban design, as in many other fields, being able to intervene and test changes in a virtual environment before actually implementing them is a valuable opportunity, as it allows the feasibility to be assessed without compromising the real space. It is precisely this aspect that makes this type of approach extremely interesting and important. The distinctive feature of the proposed approach lies in the implementation of digital twins in the metaverse, which can perform a dual function: simulation and verification. In the first case, simulations within the virtual environment allow project planning to be tested in order to predict the outcome; in the second case, it is possible to investigate the state of affairs, thus assessing whether the planning put in place has achieved the desired results. Full article

Aim: This study extends existing research by focusing specifically on the perceptions of hotel employees, a crucial yet often overlooked group of stakeholders in the adoption of new technologies within the hotel sector. The objective of this research is to investigate the perceptions of hotel employees in Hong Kong regarding the implementation of Metaverse hotels. This study emphasizes their evaluations of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats associated with these establishments through a SWOT analysis. Ultimately, the study aims to provide recommendations for addressing technological challenges, supporting employees during the transition, and facilitating adaptation across the industry. Design/Methodology/Approach: A convenience and purposive sampling method is employed to investigate 20 participants, comprising hotel staff from various departments in the Metaverse hotel in Hong Kong. This study adopts a qualitative research design, utilizing semi-structured interviews to gather in-depth insights into the perceptions of the Metaverse hotel among these employees. Purposive sampling ensures that participants have relevant experience and familiarity with VR/AR technologies. Interviews, each lasting 45–60 min, were conducted in person, with informed consent obtained beforehand. Findings: The exploration of hotel employees’ perceptions of Metaverse hotels in Hong Kong underscores the innovative potential of these establishments to enhance operational efficiency and guest engagement, while also offering new training opportunities and streamlining daily tasks. However, employees express concerns about the potential erosion of personal interactions, which are crucial to the hospitality experience, and foresee significant technical and integration challenges. Despite these drawbacks, Metaverse hotels present distinctive opportunities for market differentiation, appealing to tech-savvy guests and generating new revenue streams that contribute to industry growth. Nonetheless, potential threats such as guest skepticism and challenges in industry adaptation highlight the necessity for cautious implementation and robust privacy measures. Balancing these aspects—strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats—will be pivotal for the successful integration of Metaverse technologies into the hotel industry. Theoretical/Practical Implications: Participants recognized that the Metaverse hotel could offer various potential benefits for both employees and businesses, such as enhanced operational efficiencies and new opportunities for guest engagement. Understanding the perceptions of hotel staff towards the Metaverse carries significant real-world implications for shaping policies, practices, and technologies that facilitate its operational success and market acceptance. Leveraging these insights enables the optimization of Metaverse’s advantages while mitigating associated risks and drawbacks. This study advances existing research by focusing specifically on the perceptions of hotel employees, a crucial yet often neglected group of stakeholders in the adoption of new technologies within the hospitality sector. By understanding the perspectives of hotel employees, this research provides valuable insights into the practical challenges and benefits of implementing Metaverse technologies in the hotel industry. Originality/Value: The Metaverse hotel is still relatively new and evolving, making it crucial to conduct research to understand how hotel staff perceive it. However, there is limited research specifically focusing on the perceptions of hotel employees regarding Metaverse hotels. This gap highlights the need for a comprehensive investigation into how employees perceive the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of implementing the Metaverse in hotels. Full article

This study proposes an image processing framework based on bionic principles to optimize 3D visual perception in virtual reality (VR) systems. By simulating the physiological mechanisms of the human visual system, the framework significantly enhances depth perception and visual fidelity in VR content. The research focuses on three core algorithms: Gabor texture feature extraction algorithm based on directional selectivity of neurons in the V1 region of the visual cortex, which enhances edge detection capability through fourth-order Gaussian kernel; improved Retinex model based on adaptive mechanism of retinal illumination, achieving brightness balance under complex illumination through horizontal–vertical dual-channel decomposition; the RGB adaptive adjustment algorithm, based on the three color response characteristics of cone cells, integrates color temperature compensation with depth cue optimization, enhances color naturalness and stereoscopic depth. Build a modular processing system on the Unity platform, integrate the above algorithms to form a collaborative optimization process, and ensure per-frame processing time meets VR real-time constraints. The experiment uses RMSE, AbsRel, and SSIM metrics, combined with subjective evaluation to verify the effectiveness of the algorithm. The results show that compared with traditional methods (SSAO, SSR, SH), our algorithm demonstrates significant advantages in simple scenes and marginal superiority in composite metrics for complex scenes. Collaborative processing of three algorithms can significantly improve depth map noise and enhance the user’s subjective experience. The research results provide a solution that combines biological rationality and engineering practicality for visual optimization in fields such as implantable metaverse, VR healthcare, and education. Full article