Feature: IIoT
advent of industrial metaverse initiatives, which is heightening the demand and complexity of integrating both similar and disparate technologies. Simply put, for the metaverse to become the next iteration of
the internet, it must be interoperable. That is to say, the virtual worlds that constitute the metaverse must be able to freely exchange data, enabling seamless connections between people, processes, data and systems. Picture a high-tech factory using digital twins for not only
replicating equipment but for predictive maintenance purposes too. AI could analyse data from the sensors on physical machinery and virtual counterparts, and when AI detects a potential issue, it would automatically schedule maintenance. Sounds pretty cool, doesn’t it?
Regulatory changes Without getting too excited too soon, ensuring interoperability in the metaverse does have its challenges. It requires widespread agreement on standards, unlike the collaborative origins of the internet with foundational standards like HTML and TCP/IP. Metaverse building blocks operate differently, using various
rendering engines and file formats that make post-facto standardisation complex. Therefore, the rapidly evolving metaverse space requires regulatory standards to ensure safety, fairness and interoperability. In Europe, the Digital Services Act (DSA) and Digital
Markets Act (DMA) have recently been implemented to promote fair competition and prevent anticompetitive practices among digital platforms. This can indirectly benefit the industrial metaverse by
encouraging interoperability and data sharing between different platforms and services. As the industrial metaverse requires, this would make it easier for systems and processes to connect and exchange data seamlessly.
Open source Regulatory standards are typically established through government agencies, industry associations and international bodies. However, market competition can put pressure on getting standards to pass. When doing so, it is essential to encourage collaboration among the
various stakeholders in the metaverse community. Tis collaboration would ideally lead to the development of standards that benefit the entire community rather than favouring specific players. A way that supports industry collaboration is open source. Tis is a
soſtware model where the source code of a program is made available to the public, which would allow companies to contribute towards developing interoperable options, ensuring the metaverse's infrastructure is accessible and adaptable. For instance, developers could build upon existing functionality,
introduce new features and integrate emerging technologies. Tese could, for example, include AI, blockchain and spatial computing. With that in mind, the possibilities are truly endless. But the metaverse
is not a reality yet, and we’ve been talking about these technologies since the term metaverse was coined in 1992, by author Neal Stephenson. While we can get excited by the whole thing, especially in the industrial
realm, manufacturers must look aſter and upgrade their current processes in the meantime. To start this process, establishing a trusted industrial equipment supplier is a crucial first step. Be it for the monitoring of current equipment or wanting to build
accurate digital twins, receiving parts like Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) can help manufacturers save on costs, increase efficiency and reduce downtime. By sourcing parts, such as Foxmere’s PLCs, manufacturers can lay
the foundations for the metaverse future. And by doing so, they will initiate the process of gathering and effectively managing data from their equipment, serving as a means to bridging the physical and digital realms of the industrial landscape. If you’d like assistance with digital technologies or would like to source
new parts, then please get in touch via the Foxmere website: https://
foxmere.com/en
www.electronicsworld.co.uk March 2025 27
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