This month’s topic is all about the Metaverse, but more specifically, the need for novel technology to support its operation and growth. Certainly a hot topic with the recent growth of augmented and virtual realities, the Metaverse is the future of these realities, taking our everyday activities of two dimensional internet usage into a three dimensional hologram of existence. Just like the introduction of the world wide web birthed various technologies to support mainstream usage of it, the Metaverse will require a new generation of technological advancements to support this tactile reality and the novel method of communication within it. Engineers will play a vital role in supporting the development of technologies such as sensors and actuators to make the Metaverse a part of our everyday lives. Join us as we learn about the Metaverse and what technologies engineers can help bring to the table in its debut to the world.

Explore the exciting world of the Metaverse and the technology that will support it from these resources below.

  • Join Frank H. P. Fitzek, a Professor and head of the “Deutsche Telekom Chair of Communication Networks” at TU Dresden coordinating the 5G Lab, for the TryEngineering Tuesday Webinar featuring the Metaverse.
  • Engineers are always trying to solve and even prevent problems. In this IEEE Spectrum article, read about some of the anticipated challenges engineers anticipate for the Metaverse, including what supporting technologies will be needed.
  • A big part of bringing the Metaverse to its full potential is the sensory experience users can expect. Learn more about the sensors Meta has created to give AI robots a lifelike “skin” in this article from Silicon Republic.
  • Learn more about what an everyday consumer device for using the Metaverse might look like in this article from Electronic Engineering Times, and the supporting technologies needed for these devices including chips, optical lenses, and infrared sensors. 
  • The Metaverse will only be possible with the development of the touchable or tactile internet, which will be greatly supported by haptic technology. Learn more about haptic technology and its applications in the Metaverse in this article from News Text Area.
  • Computer scientists are problem solvers, and they will certainly play a huge role in the development of technologies that support the Metaverse. Learn more about this engineering discipline in this career profile on TryEngineering.org

 

Image Source: Silicon Republic: Meta Makes Robot ‘Skin’ and Sensors to Give Metaverse a New Touch

Have fun and learn more about the sensor technologies that will be integral to the Metaverse with these hands-on activities to better learn and understand.

  • Learn more about how sensors work in this lesson from TryEngineering.org that explores the hygrometer, a type of sensor that measures humidity. 
  • Haptic technologies will be key in producing touch sensors that will help the Metaverse to produce realistic tactile experiences. In this lesson from Teach Engineering, students experience haptic feedback from robots and touch sensors to emulate touch feedback recognition.
  • Being able to detect both human and environmental temperature changes will help the Metaverse provide a realistic user experience and accurate reactions that parallel the real world. Learn more about the history of thermometers and the development of thermal sensing materials in this lesson from TryEngineering.org
  • Infrared sensors will likely be a staple in user hardware required for the Metaverse. Learn more about how infrared technologies work and how they are used in this lesson from TryEngineering.org.

 

Image Source: Teach Engineering: Haptics: Touch Command

Be inspired by hearing how your peers are making a difference in their communities using sensory and communication technologies and then try it yourself!

  • High school student Neha Shukla helped support social distancing by inventing a device that combines ultrasonic technology, artificial intelligence, and infrared imaging. Read more about it in this article from tryengineering.org.
  • Three middle school students improved a life saving device with text messaging capabilities using artificial neural network technology. Read more about it in this article from tryengineering.org.
  • In this article from tryengineering.org, learn about how blind and visually impaired students designed rover bots with features including infrared sensors, accelerometers, and more.

 

Image Source: TryEngineering.org: These Young Students are Using STEM to Save Lives

  • Write down at least one new thing that you learned about the Metaverse
  • Think about how to inspire others and make a difference in your community.  
  • Have you, a family member, or teacher share your work on Facebook or Twitter using #tryengineeringtuesday. We want to hear from you!  
  • If you tried any of the activities, make sure you download your IEEE Communications Society badge. Collect them all and store them using this Badge Collection Tool.

Thank you to the IEEE Communications Society for making this TryEngineering Tuesday possible!