Extending the Metaverse
Exploring Generative Objects with Extended Reality Environments and Adaptive Context Awareness
JIE GUAN
Project Description
The metaverse, with the internet, virtual and augmented reality, and other domains for an immersive environment, has been considered mainstream in recent years. However, the current metaverse platforms have a gap in the physical space, leading to reduced engagement in these applications. This thesis project explores an extended metaverse framework with generative content and the design of a seamless interface to increase the connection between the metaverse and the physical environment and create coherence and efficiency between them. The extended metaverse agent helps prevent this from happening by improving the interaction, embodiment, and agency that dynamically engage humans in mixed reality (MR) environments. This thesis project will design and prototype MR objects and environments with the research through design (RTD) and speculative design methodology, whereby future applications are imagined, assuming the plausibility of smart glasses being commonplace to help users visualize the coherence of virtual and physical spaces in simultaneity. To summarize, this thesis project provides an extended metaverse framework and agent that generates from physical contexts to describe the coherence of virtual and physical environments.
BIO
Jie Guan holds a BFA in Digital Painting and Extended Animation and currently is MFA candidate in Digital Futures at OCAD University. He has research experience in mixed reality and the Internet of Things and participated in the development of the IoT plant virtual avatar project. He also has been following and participating in the construction of blockchain and Metaverse projects and communities since 2018. As a member of MetaDao and Metaverse Labs, he participated in the development and organization of some activities in Decentraland and has unique insights into the blockchain and the metaverse. He participated in the hackathon of the Linz Electronic Arts Festival and collaborated with members from many countries to create AR works with the theme of transcending the body. He has also participated in a mixed reality hackathon organized by Facebook (Meta), creating a face-changing AR filter work. At present, his thesis research project is to explore how to reduce the distance between the virtual world and real life. In the environment where everyone is discussing entering the virtual world, he proposes that it is more important to connect and apply these virtual contents to the real environment.