Potential of metaverse discussed at CHTF

Create your virtual counterpart on a smartphone, send it into a virtual showroom and try cosmetics and skin care products. The avatar can then have text and voice chats with others to share user experiences.

Such scenarios have been turned into reality as companies in China have rapidly developed the applications of metaverse, a virtual reality world created by digital technologies that mirrors or goes beyond the real world.

According to Dalian Zhixiang Technology, an exhibitor at the ongoing China Hi-Tech Fair 2022, virtual shopping with metaverse technology could be more exciting and interesting, and the 3D technology could allow users to get more information from the products.

Many companies have started to promote brands and products in their own metaverse worlds and have created unique images with intellectual properties rights, said DZT.

In one of the forums at the fair held on Wednesday, academicians, researchers and entrepreneurs were exploring the potential of integrating unmanned systems with the metaverse.

Unmanned drones, vessels and vehicles can be integrated with VR, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, 5G and digital twin modeling technology, which could broaden current applications, for example, in the low-altitude field.

A virtual human is the first step to the future of the metaverse, a representative of iFLYTEK, a Chinese company specialized in intelligent speech and AI, said during the fair.

The company has publicized several types of virtual human, including an anchorwoman and an employee, since its AI interaction platform was launched in October 2021.

According to surveys, more than 30 Chinese cities have launched plans and policies to support the development of the metaverse industry.

In Shenzhen, the host city of the China Hi-Tech Fair in Guangdong province, startups in the sector could enjoy up to 450,000 yuan ($63,090) in aid and interest-free loans totaling no more than 3 million yuan each.

According to a report by the VR arm of Sina, a leading internet company of China, investment projects taking place in the field of metaverse totaled 339 in the third quarter, up 125 percent quarter-to-quarter. Total investment in the area reached about 23 billion yuan, the report said.

The China Hi-Tech Fair 2022 will run to Saturday in Shenzhen. Covering a record exhibition area of more than 300,000 square meters, the fair has attracted more than 5,000 exhibitors from nearly 40 countries and regions, displaying new products in 8,000 categories to both online and on-site visitors.

chenhong@chinadaily.com.cn

Metaverse technologies are on display at the China Hi-Tech Fair 2022. CHEN WEN/FOR CHINA DAILY