Key Technologies

Key Technologies in the Metaverse's HCI To achieve the Metaverse, several key technologies are essential, including:

• Sensory interaction: Advanced voice and eye-tracking technologies.
• Somatosensory interaction: Recognizing and interpreting physical gestures.
• Haptic interaction: Simulating touch and physical feedback.
• Brain-computer interfaces: Direct neural engagement for command input.
• Extended reality (VR/AR): Creating immersive visual worlds.
• Holography: 3D imaging without the need for headsets.
• Artificial intelligence: Generating responsive, adaptive text.
• Edge computing: Local data processing for seamless experiences.

Towards a Grand Socio-Computing Platform

Human-computer interaction (HCI) has been a fundamental aspect of our engagement with technology since the inception of computers. With the rise of the Metaverse, an immersive virtual experience, HCI has become the gateway for users to dive into these new digital realms. But how mature are these technologies, and what challenges do we face?

The Metaverse and HCI: A Symbiotic Relationship The Metaverse, a term buzzing across social media and tech circles, is essentially a digital universe that mirrors or extends our physical world. It integrates advanced technologies like artificial intelligence, digital twins, and human-computer interaction, serving as the next evolution of the Internet. This digital cosmos relies heavily on HCI to deliver immersive experiences that resonate with real-world sensations. Yet, it's still in its infancy, grappling with the need for more sophisticated interaction systems.

The Evolution of Human-Computer Interaction HCI has evolved dramatically from basic manual operations to the current era of Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs) and beyond. We're now transitioning to Natural User Interfaces (NUIs), where interactions are as intuitive as everyday communication, free from the constraints of physical devices.

The Future of HCI in the Metaverse The paper envisions a Metaverse-centric HCI future focused on user-centered, multimodal, and biometrics-based interactions. This means machines will not just execute tasks but will understand user states, offering personalized responses.

Challenges on the Horizon

Despite the promise, numerous challenges remain:

• Technical constraints: Balancing portability, power, and user comfort.
• Accuracy: Refining the interpretation of complex human commands.
• Resource consumption: Building a sustainable, energy-efficient digital infrastructure.