CHAPTER 1
Definitions

The introduction of new technologies into the built environment and its professions are fraught with the challenges of hype, limited adoption, and, in some cases, indifference. In some cases, there is a trend that new technologies are showing signs of adoption but need guidance, education, and sound strategies in order to become valuable to the built environment industries and professions. A first step in the education and communication process is to define the numerous elements that are affecting our built environment. The following definitions are a snapshot from this moment, a foundation to build upon and are meant to be revisited and challenged as we learn, fail, succeed, and adapt to our ever-changing world of the intersection of the physical and digital worlds.

The following definitions are not meant to be comprehensive, but rather to be used as a referenced foundation for your journey of moving through the rest of this book.

Metaverse

William Gibson's quasi-prophetic vision of cyberspace as a "consensual hallucination" manifests itself in the emerging definition of the metaverse. Our company describes metaverse as an analogy to Outer Space. There is no there, there. It is a digital immersive environment that has the equivalent of galaxies, solar systems, and planets (virtual worlds) that provide a sense of place. The term "metaverse" originated in the 1992 science fiction novel Snow Crash as a portmanteau of "meta" and "universe." Metaverse development is often linked to advancing virtual reality technology due to the increasing demands for immersion. Recent interest in metaverse development is influenced by Web3, a concept for a decentralized iteration of the internet. Web3 and metaverse have been used as buzzwords to exaggerate the development progress of various related technologies and projects for public relations purposes. Information privacy, user addiction, and user safety are concerns within the metaverse, stemming from challenges facing the social media and video game industries as a whole. What we are learning as a company about metaverse is that through iterative design and delivery of 3D immersive experiences, is that new measures of usage and value need to be developed and implemented. We use terms such as Level of Experience and Level of Engagement (LOE) to describe how a user of the metaverse is immersed in a 3D digital environment.

At its current core, the metaverse is a spatial computing platform that provides digital experiences as an alternative to or a replica of the real world, along with its key civilizational aspects like social interactions, currency, trade, economy, and property ownership, all experienced on a bedrock of blockchain technology. Metaverse is an interaction, and, in certain cases, an integration of 3D worlds accessed through a browser, a mobile app, or a headset. It allows people to have real-time interactions and experiences across large distances, either by themselves, one-on-one and/or with many people. A vast ecosystem of online applications is emerging to build these human and non-human interactions, communications, and relationships (Figure 1-1).

The metaverse is an environment where the physical and digital worlds can coexist and significantly impact fundamental areas of daily life. It is a universe of limitless, interconnected virtual communities where people can socialize, collaborate, and have fun. It may include additional aspects of online life, such as social media and shopping. As application scenarios mature, the metaverse will develop into an exceptionally large-scale, extremely open, and dynamically optimized system. To create a system that can support various virtual reality application scenarios, creators from different fields will need to work together to fulfill the promise of the metaverse.

Fig. 1-1: Expo2020 Metaverse in Dubai.

Courtesy: Paul Doherty.

Our company is partnering and strategizing with a broad range of creators to deliver our virtual worlds in the metaverse around the theory that Web3 will be the next generation of the Internet as a 3D immersive environment that links virtual worlds in the metaverse together similar to how hyperlinks work in the current Web2 Internet environment of 2D web sites. Immersive worlds with next-generation hyperlinks are an amazing world to explore.

In the context of the built environment, the metaverse can be used to visualize and manage various aspects of a physical facility, such as building layouts, maintenance schedules, and resource allocation. For example, a facility manager could use a virtual reality (VR) headset to explore and interact with a 3D model of a building, viewing detailed information about various systems and equipment, such as HVAC, plumbing, and electrical. They could also use the metaverse to track and schedule maintenance tasks, assign work orders to technicians, and track the progress of ongoing projects.

Another example is through the use of augmented reality (AR) technology. A facility manager could use an AR app on their smartphone or tablet to view information about a specific location or piece of equipment with a digital overlay on their physical surroundings. This could be useful for accessing technical manuals, viewing repair histories, or identifying potential issues. The use of the metaverse in facility management can help improve efficiency, reduce costs, and improve the overall management of physical facilities (Figure 1-2).

Fig. 1-2: Qingdao, China Virtual Reality Theme Park Metaverse.

Courtesy: Paul Doherty.

Digital Twin

A digital twin is a digital representation of a physical object or system. It is typically created using data from sensors, simulations, and other sources, and it is used to analyze, optimize, and predict the behavior and performance of the corresponding physical object or system. Digital twins are often created using software tools such as computer-aided design (CAD) and Building Information Model (BIM) programs, and they can be updated in real time as new data becomes available. They can also be integrated with other systems, such as manufacturing equipment or transportation networks, to enable real-time monitoring and control.

Digital twins can be used to optimize the built environment by providing a virtual model of the facility that can be used to simulate and analyze different scenarios, such as predicting maintenance needs or optimizing energy use. Here are some examples of how digital twins can be used in facility management:

• Predictive maintenance: By continuously monitoring the performance of physical assets and comparing it to the digital twin model, facility managers can predict when maintenance is needed and schedule it in advance, reducing downtime and improving efficiency.
• Energy optimization: Digital twins can be used to simulate different energy consumption scenarios and optimize energy use in a facility. For example, a digital twin of an office building could be used to determine the most energy-efficient lighting and temperature settings.
• Space optimization: Digital twins can help facility managers optimize the use of space in a facility. For example, a digital twin of a warehouse could be used to simulate different layouts and determine the most efficient use of space.
• Emergency management: Digital twins can be used to simulate different emergency scenarios and develop emergency response plans. For example, a digital twin of a hospital could be used to simulate a fire and determine the best evacuation routes and resources needed to respond.
• Virtual commissioning: Digital twins can be used to test and commission new facilities or equipment before they are built or installed, reducing the need for physical testing, and improving efficiency.

When used in construction, digital twins can refer to digital replicas of physical assets and systems used to simulate, monitor and optimize their performance. Some examples of digital twins in construction:

• Building Information Modeling (BIM): BIM is a digital twin of a building, which provides a 3D model of the building's physical and functional characteristics. It can be used to simulate and optimize the building's performance, energy efficiency, and safety.
• Construction site simulation: Digital twins can be used to simulate construction sites to optimize the construction process and improve safety. For example, a digital twin of a construction site can be used to simulate the movement of materials and workers, identify potential safety hazards, and optimize the layout of the site.
• Smart infrastructure: Digital twins can be used to monitor and optimize the performance of infrastructure assets such as bridges, roads, and tunnels. For example, a digital twin of a bridge can be used to monitor its structural health, predict maintenance needs, and optimize traffic flow.
• Asset management: Digital twins can be used to manage and optimize the lifecycle of construction assets such as cranes, excavators, and trucks. For example, a digital twin of a crane can be used to monitor its performance, predict maintenance needs, and optimize its usage.

Virtual Worlds

Virtual worlds are 3D digital environments or spaces...