The concept of the metaverse and immersive virtual reality experiences has gained significant attention in recent years. Metaverse refers to a parallel digital universe that combines both the physical and digital worlds, allowing multiple users to interact and engage in various activities. Immersive virtual reality experiences, on the other hand, involve users interacting with the virtual world through avatars that replace physical existence. Metaverse applications are designed to provide immersive online experiences by leveraging technologies such as virtual reality and augmented reality. Behavioural analysis is crucial in various fields. It aims to analyse human behaviour patterns, motive and mental health disorders. The chapter proposed a SaaS platform in order to meet the growing demand for accurate behavioural analysis in the metaverse. This platform aims to provide comprehensive behavioural analysis and insights within the metaverse, enabling them to make data-driven decisions and optimize their interactions with users in virtual environments.
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The metaverse, described as a shared virtual space, is attracting considerable attention due to its potential applications across various domains, including behaviour analysis and skill development. It refers to a parallel digital universe that combines both the physical and digital worlds, allowing multiple users to interact and engage in various activities (Dimitriadou & Lanitis, 2023). Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) technologies are currently under exploration for their utility in training, education, and experiential learning within the metaverse (Mystakidis, 2022; Laine et al., 2022; Truong et al., 2023). These immersive technologies can establish realistic and interactive environments conducive to skill development and behaviour analysis, fostering heightened engagement and knowledge retention (Laine et al., 2022; Truong et al., 2023). The avatars enable users to go beyond the physical limits of reality and experience the metaverse in various ways (Jang & Kim, 2023). Moreover, the integration of VR and AR with the metaverse holds the potential to transform digital asset management and offer solutions for various challenges (Truong et al., 2023).
The adoption of immersive technologies in the metaverse, such as VR, AR, and mixed reality (MR), is crucial for creating fully immersive experiences in virtual environments (Teng et al., 2022).
These technologies enable the development of immersive VR learning environments with increasing fidelity, offering new opportunities for skill training and behaviour analysis (Laine et al., 2022). Furthermore, the potential of VR in delivering self-management programs for chronic conditions and its application in assessment and treatment within psychology have been recognized, highlighting the diverse applications of immersive VR experiences (Harvie, 2021; Kaiser et al., 2022)
The journey from virtual worlds to the metaverse has been marked by a series of technological advancements, paradigm shifts, and the convergence of immersive technologies. The concept of virtual worlds emerged in the late 20th century, with notable milestones in the 1980s and 1990s. Early examples included platforms like Habitat (1986) and Second Life (2003), where users could create and interact in virtual spaces. However, the true evolution towards the metaverse gained momentum in the 2010s. One pivotal moment was the introduction of VR headsets such as the Oculus Rift in 2012, which brought about a renewed interest in immersive experiences. Concurrently, the growth of online multiplayer games and social platforms like Fortnite and Roblox contributed to the development of shared virtual spaces. The term “metaverse” started gaining prominence during this period, emphasizing a collective, interconnected virtual space that extends beyond individual platforms. Further defining this evolution was the expansion of augmented reality (AR) technologies. Mobile AR applications, like Pokémon Go in 2016, demonstrated the potential for blending digital and physical realities. The introduction of spatial computing and mixed reality (MR) further blurred the lines between the physical and virtual, setting the stage for a more comprehensive metaverse experience. Fortnite and Roblox contributed to the development of shared virtual spaces. The term “metaverse” started gaining prominence during this period, emphasizing a collective, interconnected virtual space that extends beyond individual platforms. Further defining this evolution was the expansion of augmented reality (AR) technologies. Mobile AR applications, like Pokémon Go in 2016, demonstrated the potential for blending digital and physical realities. The introduction of spatial computing and mixed reality (MR) further blurred the lines between the physical and virtual, setting the stage for a more comprehensive metaverse experience.