Metaverse: Sinking and accumulating momentum, multi-dimensional breakthroughs, reshaping the future. In the current noisy landscape of the technology industry, quantum manufacturing, low altitude economy DeepSeek、 Emerging fields such as Yushu Robotics are gaining momentum, like a surging wave, attracting the attention of the public and the industry. However, amidst this tumultuous wave, the metaverse has not been truly submerged, but is steadily forging ahead in a low-key manner, quietly opening up new territories along its own development rhythm. It not only consolidates traditional application fields such as content generation, cultural and tourism creativity, and popular science education and training, but also deeply links cutting-edge fields such as military and AI, dedicating itself to refining and accumulating strength, waiting for the right time to showcase its shocking hidden strength.
1、 Steady and steady development, diversified expansion of new markets and products
The global wave of digital transformation is surging, and countries are laying out their strategies one after another. Qatar is actively building a knowledge-based economy and vigorously cultivating the next generation of creators to achieve its national vision of 2030. Short video giant Snap seized the opportunity and reached a cooperation intention with the Qatar Government Communications Office, planning to launch the first augmented reality academy in the local area to empower digital talent development, promote technological innovation, and inject strong momentum into Qatar's creation of a digital excellence regional center.
In the field of education and training, the Extended Reality Laboratory at New Jersey Institute of Technology has launched the VR forensic training system CSixR, bringing innovation to crime scene investigation training. Students wearing headsets feel as if they are in a real crime scene, able to simulate key procedures such as shooting scenes, extracting fingerprints, marking evidence, and even collaborate with investigation units for drills. This system not only improves training efficiency, but also allows students to deeply experience the complexity of forensic investigation, laying a solid foundation for future career practice.
In the field of hardware devices, the Bigscreen second-generation headset, with its lightweight and intelligent upgrades, has been popular in the market since its launch. The pre order volume in the first 10 hours of release far exceeds the sales volume of the first generation headset in four months. It adopts a brand new Pancake lens, greatly improving the field of view and clarity, compatible with SteamVR accessories, and has also launched different versions to meet the needs of home and enterprise users. The high-end version adds eye tracking function and artificial intelligence driven computer vision, with a super light weight of 107 grams, highlighting the development direction of metaverse hardware devices.
2、 Dual use military civilian metaverse, the new favorite in the military field of Europe and America
In the military field, the exploration of metaverse applications continues to deepen. European manufacturers collaborate to develop XR windshields, aimed at addressing the pain points of traditional combat in low visibility environments. Finnish Distance Technologies has partnered with defense technology company Patria to apply naked eye XR technology to Patria's 6 × 6 vehicles, making the vehicle windshield a real-time tactical information window. Without the need for additional hardware equipment, it can provide 3D tactical information and accurate terrain data for drivers and passengers, deeply integrating military artificial intelligence data streams, greatly improving combat efficiency and safety.
Kopin, a US micro display manufacturer, provides high-performance micro displays and optical systems to the US military. Its advanced AR headsets have served multiple fighter jets and helicopters such as the F-15 and F-16, supplying over 12000 micro displays in total. These AR helmets provide pilots with rich information during flight, enhancing situational awareness and operational accuracy. The recent $4 million new order placed by the US military once again confirms the crucial value of metaverse technology in the military field.
BANC3, a US defense contractor, is creating an advanced XR training system for the US Air Force Special Operations Command, ushering in a new mode of training in the metaverse. The system integrates real-time tracking, repeatable scenarios, and adaptive pressure induction elements to provide realistic immersive training for special operations forces, significantly improving the combat readiness of combat personnel. At the same time, it demonstrates great potential in commercial XR training fields such as aviation, law enforcement, and emergency response.
3、 Top manufacturers are laying out AI for the long term, empowering the development of the metaverse
Apple firmly believes in the future of innovation in the United States and plans to invest over $500 billion in the country over the next four years, increase its Advanced Manufacturing Fund, build a new advanced manufacturing plant in Houston to assemble Apple Intelligence servers, increase investment in research and development centers, and support cutting-edge fields such as artificial intelligence and silicon engineering. As the foundation of private cloud computing, Apple Intelligence integrates powerful AI processing capabilities and is expected to assist in the iterative upgrade of Vision Pro. AI driven AR experience optimization, improving spatial perception accuracy, enhancing natural interaction, upgrading AI computing power on the end side to support complex AR applications, algorithm iteration to extend device battery life, helping Apple achieve "AI+AR" integrated development in the metaverse field, and forming a differentiated competitive situation with Meta.
Meta plans to invest $200 billion to build a large-scale AI data center park to meet the demand for generative AI brought about by the surge in AI chatbot users, with a power supply of 5-7 gigawatts. At the same time, Meta has expanded its investment this year, raising capital expenditures from $60 billion to $65 billion, an increase of nearly 70%, mainly for AI research and development, and improving AI infrastructure. This measure not only benchmarks against Microsoft, but also follows the footsteps of OpenAI and SoftBank's $500 billion investment in building AI data centers, demonstrating Meta's firm determination in the AI competition.
4、 AI applications drive the recovery of VR/MR terminal device consumption
GoerTek actively embraces AI technology and achieved a net profit of 2.665 billion yuan in 2024, a year-on-year increase of 144.93%. The integration of AI technology and intelligent hardware products promotes the performance upgrade of intelligent acoustic machines, VR virtual reality, MR mixed reality and other products, enhancing product value and profitability. This not only reflects the empowering role of AI in industries related to the metaverse, but also injects strong momentum into the metaverse hardware device market, promotes consumer recovery, and lays a solid foundation for the development of the metaverse industry ecosystem.
Faced with doubts about the development of the metaverse, we should remain calm and patient, and view its development trajectory with a rational perspective. Technological progress often follows the characteristic of "exponential explosion". Amara's Law reminds us not to overestimate the short-term impact of new technologies, but to focus on their long-term potential. Just as GPS technology has expanded from military applications to various civilian fields, although the metaverse has experienced initial hype and low points, its technological value and impact will gradually emerge over time. It is expected to shine in areas such as digital twin, digital real integration, and digital real symbiosis, bringing new benefits to human society and reshaping the development pattern of the future world.