What are the layers of the metaverse

the metaverse is much more than a simple platform to interact virtually with other users, buy digital accessories or play in a more immersive way than we currently do. Behind what we consumers see there is a series of technologies necessary to create this long awaited virtual world that little by little is coming into our lives.

These are known as layers of the metaverse. Each technology is essential for the virtual world to function properly and for the user to enjoy the best experience. The layers also complement each other and there is no more important than another. They are all essential.

But, what are the layers of the metaverse? They range from the necessary infrastructure to be able to build and interact with the virtual world, such as the use of 5G networks, to the ideation and creation of experiences similar to those we obtain in the real world. Among them, online shopping or, for example, being able to attend an artist’s concert. But let’s dive into each of these technologies.

The Infrastructure: The First Layer of the Metaverse

One of the main elements to be able to build a metaverse is the infrastructure. Namely, the use of 4G and 5G networks, as well as hardware and services that allow the different virtual worlds to keep running. The use of infrastructures is not something exclusive to the metaverse. In fact, it is used for the creation and operation of streaming platforms, applications or other services that we have been using for years.

The interesting thing about one of the first layers of the metaverse is that the use of infrastructure sometimes depends on other companies. For example, the possibility that users can connect to 5G networks for the proper functioning of the metaverse from anywhere in the world is and may be possible. thanks to the deployment of infrastructures by companies such as Telefónica. This company, in fact, has already shown on several occasions what this type of next generation network is capable of, which stands out for its high speed and low latency. They can even control devices, such as robots, remotely.

Qualcomm, Intel and others companies specializing in the development and manufacture of chips and networks, can also help firms that develop metaverses to have sufficient infrastructure. Also companies like Amazon, who offer web servers to be able to store all the information of the services that are included within the virtual world.

Human interface and computing, two layers closely linked to each other

The use of infrastructures would be useless without the human interface, another of the essential layers of the metaverse. We refer, in particular, to the devices that will allow users to enter this virtual world. Therefore, this element is mainly focused on the hardware.

There are many devices that can help you interact with the metaverse. However, the most useful, and the ones that will give you a better experience, are the virtual reality viewers. With them, the user will be able to simulate being inside that virtual world. Also interact with the elements that are within the metaverse in a much more precise way than you would with a computer or a mobile phone. In fact, there are companies that are developing VR glasses with accessories capable of detecting hand movements or targets in the environment.

Although virtual reality glasses will be the protagonists, there are other devices that can also help us enter the metaverse. Among them, screens, computers, etc.

Again, the human interfaces layer would be nothing without the computing or the development of technologies such as virtual reality or augmented reality. These are necessary for the operation of the devices. Here also comes into play the use of 3D rendering systems, Geospatial Mapping to be able to recognize the elements of the environment, voice recognition and gestures, among others.

Decentralization and the economy are two necessary pillars for the metaverse

Decentralization is a very important pillar for the development of the metaverse. And it is that virtual worlds will be nourished, above all, by Blockchain technology. This will allow users to interact with elements within the virtual world thanks to the use of cryptocurrencies. These elements, in addition, can be NFTs, which also work thanks to Blockchain technology. The goal, after all, is to allow users to take control of their data and all the transactions they carry out in the metaverse.

The layer of decentralization is also associated with the economic layer, which will allow the acquisition of content and experiences within the metaverse through the use of virtual currencies, either through cryptocurrencies such as Ethereum or Bitcoin, or through tokens from the virtual world, as is the case with Epic Games and its ‘V Bucks’. The purchase of content, yes, would not be possible without the help of other companies, who will be able to offer their services or even products in the different virtual worlds.

Without the experiences, the last layer, there would be no metaverse

All of these layers lead to the last element necessary for the metaverse: experiences. Without the creation of services, games, or other virtual experiences, the metaverse would be of little use. Users need to be able to attend concerts, chat with friends or family, purchase products or perform other activities within the virtual world so that the economy works and the rest of the layers can be useful.