Metaverse

The Metaverse and technology
The Metaverse, which has been a frequent topic of discussion lately, is not simply a single technology. Rather, it is a collection of technologies that encompass various elements such as communication, rendering, physical computation, and design. With our broad range of expertise spanning hardware to software, we believe we can contribute to meeting the societal needs surrounding the Metaverse, and thus, we are actively engaged in research and development in this field.

Metaverse

The term "Metaverse" is highly ambiguous and has been defined in various ways. At our company, we consider it to refer to virtual space (CG space), which is a space where communication takes place over a network using avatars as one's own representation, or activities conducted within such virtual spaces. The Metaverse offers various benefits, including the following key points:
  • Ability to Perform Unattainable Productions Unbounded Interaction Without Being Confined to Physical Location
  • In engaging with the Metaverse, two essential components are necessary: the virtual space where activities take place and the avatar, which serves as the representation of oneself within that space.
We have launched separate projects for both virtual space construction and avatar creation, advancing development in each area.

Virtual Space Construction Project

Building virtual spaces for the Metaverse requires various elements. For effective communication, it is essential to synchronize information through communication channels. To achieve synchronization, various elements are required, including setting up servers for synchronization, designing the virtual space itself, creating content logic and algorithms, among others. Additionally, there are diverse approaches to fulfill these necessary elements. We explore various approaches, ranging from designing virtual spaces solely on existing platforms to developing original platforms that encompass server setup, space design, and content logic. In this article, we will introduce some of these approaches.

Case Study 1: Metaverse Space Construction Using Existing Platforms

The virtual space platform "DOOR" provided by NTT ConoQue has been utilized to construct virtual spaces representing our company's headquarters building and a seminar room where newly hired employees undergo training. The headquarters building has been constructed at nearly a 1:1 scale, allowing users to experience its actual size within the Metaverse environment. Regarding the seminar room, it has been designed slightly larger than actual size within the virtual space to facilitate ease of movement for avatars of various sizes, ensuring that activities are not hindered.
The headquarters building
The seminar room
The seminar room
This space is currently being used for events targeted at new graduates, serving as a venue for introducing our company's business activities and facilitating interaction with employees.

Case Study 2: Development of a Proprietary Platform to Achieve Digital Twins

Currently, our company is also working on developing our own Metaverse platform. We utilize communication engines and cloud servers provided by other companies for the backend. For the frontend, we conduct development in-house from scratch, implementing various proprietary features. One such proprietary feature we're developing is the "Digital Twin" functionality, which aims to replicate real-world spaces in virtual environments. With this Digital Twin feature, we connect Metaverse spaces with edge devices in the physical world, enabling operations and sensor data retrieval from the Metaverse space to the edge devices. By replicating the overall system's (such as robots) status in the Metaverse space based on acquired sensor data, we achieve the Digital Twin. This enables developers and users working in different locations to communicate while visualizing simulated or actual device operations in the Metaverse space. By combining with our company's business areas such as IoT and AI, we aim to explore further possibilities of the Metaverse in the future.
Example of Digital Twin (Physical Device):
Example of Digital Twin (Physical Device):
Example of Digital Twin (CG):
Example of Digital Twin (CG):
System Configuration:
System Configuration:

Avatar Creation Project

In the Metaverse, 3D avatars play a crucial role. Serving as one's digital representation navigating virtual spaces, they are the core of the Metaverse experience. We have established a comprehensive workflow for avatar production, from project initiation to design and motion validation. In this avatar creation process, the appearance of the 3D model is a paramount consideration. For simpler designs, we handle them internally, while complex designs or those requiring high originality are outsourced to specialized designers. Through collaboration, we've crafted various original 3D avatars, leveraging both in-house expertise and external partnerships. Building upon this established workflow, we are also prepared to undertake custom avatar commissions. Whether it's a bulk order of generic avatars or a bespoke creation with specific requirements, we cater to diverse needs. If you're interested, please feel free to reach out to us.
Another crucial aspect in avatar production is ensuring that they exhibit natural behavior during movements such as walking, running, and other actions. Leveraging expertise gained from our AI annotation business, we have a dedicated team based overseas capable of conducting precise, rapid, and cost-effective checks on a large scale. We've mobilized this team for avatar production projects, establishing an efficient and high-quality framework for verifying motion without issues. Additionally, we've developed proprietary applications and dedicated validation tools in-house, simulating Metaverse environments. This allows for flexible configurations, including the addition or modification of verification criteria. Through these initiatives, we're building a system to deliver high-quality avatars in large quantities within a short timeframe.
We are thrilled to announce that we showcased a selection of our produced avatars along with our specially developed app for avatar testing at COMPUTEX TAIPEI 2023, Asia's largest ICT trade show.
Exhibit App Operation Screen 1
Exhibit App Operation Screen 1
Exhibit App Operation Screen 2
Exhibit App Operation Screen 2
Furthermore, the avatars we produced have been available for general sale on "BOOTH" since April 2024.
SANEI HYTECHS Official BOOTH: https://sanei-hy.booth.pm/
As showcased, our company is actively engaged in various initiatives related to the Metaverse. If you are interested in any of the technologies mentioned here or have any other inquiries about the Metaverse, please don't hesitate to reach out to us.