Metaverse, a world where 3D virtual reality and reality are fused, attracted many people's attention as soon as it appeared, and was quickly applied to various fields. However, as much as it led to great expectations, there were voices of regret that the world embodied in the metaverse was unexpectedly not similar to reality.
The same was true of the performance field. This is because the characteristics of performance culture could not be implemented with existing metaverse-related technologies.
Opinions came out saying, “It’s a pity that I couldn’t be with many people,” “It’s difficult to communicate with the audience,” and “It doesn’t look like the real thing.”
What if I could enjoy a realistic performance with as many people as if I were at a concert, wherever I am? A realistic space that could not be experienced in previous virtual performances, an atmosphere created by thousands of people gathering together, and a future where audiences and performers can even communicate are soon becoming a reality.
Jeong Il-kwon, head of Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute(ETRI) and Content Research Headquarters explained "We have embarked on a project to develop and implement the world's best metaverse virtual performance technology. By doing so, we have overcome the shortcomings of the virtual performance of the existing metaverse platform, a new concept that has never been implemented before,” explained. This technology is expected to contribute to the globalization of Hallyu content such as K-POP
The world's first new concept virtual performance technology
ETRI formed a consultative body among five R&D tasks, including the 「Global Virtual Performance Core Technology Development Project」, and started in earnest to create a new performance paradigm in the metaverse environment, a 3D virtual world.
The five R&D tasks are to develop core technologies for metaverse virtual performances, such as ▲ the development of metaverse performance platform technologies ▲ development of interactive audience avatar generation technologies ▲development of performance art production collaboration platform ▲development of digital sound source and video copyright protection technologies. ETRI was in charge of the key task, "Development of metaverse Performance Platform Technology," and the research team aimed to develop virtual performance technology that enables communication while enjoying performing arts content at the level of actual performance in metaverse.
These technologies will be developed based on technologies such as metaverse-related core technologies developed by ETRI ▲ 5G-based VR and AR device core technologies ▲ 3D video technologies for virtual space ▲ AI designer and model generation technologies ▲ virtual vocational training for the development disabled.
ETRI plans to revive the untact cultural consumption pattern, which has established itself as a new culture after COVID-19, increase the competitiveness of Hallyu content such as K-POP, and lead the innovation of related industrial ecosystems.
The technology will be developed by 2025 along with demonstration services.
