Metaverse India Policy and Standards (MIPS) is a pioneering initiative led by Experiential Technology Innovation Centre (XTIC), serving as India’s premier research and product innovation hub for Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, Mixed Reality, and Haptics, hosted at IIT Madras.

It’s an honor to be the member of MIPS and showcase my book Exploring the Metaverse: Redefining Reality in the Digital Age, which aligns closely with the initiative’s objectives.

I extend my gratitude to Thriveni Palanivelu for orchestrating a seamless event. Here’s a recap of the event:

Introducing MIPS Members

The meeting commenced with a round of introductions, revealing a remarkable diversity within the group. We were joined by esteemed academician from premier institutes, technologists representing renowned enterprises, founders of emerging tech startups, legal experts from the Supreme Court, distinguished individuals with experience in law enforcement as Director Generals of Police, policy makers, and more. It was truly inspiring to witness such a talented pool of individuals from across India coming together in one cohesive group!

Introduction to MIPS and XTIC

Prof. M Manivannan began by tracing the evolutionary journey of (XTIC) at IIT Madras and its expanding influence beyond, highlighting various initiatives and celebrating remarkable achievements in research and innovation. He emphasized XTIC’s collaborative approach, bridging the gap between industry and academia.

One such initiative was CAVE (Consortium for AR VR Engineering), marking a milestone as India’s inaugural consortium for XR innovations, fostering collaboration between Indian academia and industries. Prof. Manivannan articulated a grand vision for CAVE as part of XTIC’s broader mission: to establish India as the XR Corridor for the world by 2047. More details on this vision can be found here.

To further engage with these initiatives, join CAVE or explore the XTIC Chronicle Newsletter and the XR In India White Paper:

• Join CAVE
• XTIC Chronicle - Newsletter
• XR In India - White Paper

After Prof. Mani’s insightful presentation on XTIC’s journey, he graciously handed over the floor to me to present my book.

Book Review: Exploring the Metaverse

In my presentation, I delved into the purpose behind penning “Exploring the Metaverse”, aiming to shed light on the often misunderstood concept of the metaverse and its associated technologies.

The book unfolds in five distinct parts,

• commencing with an exploration of the evolution of technology and human interactions, gradually leading the reader toward the concept of the metaverse as the next frontier of the internet.
• Subsequent sections delve into the technological advancements propelling us closer to this futuristic realm, including XR, AI, IoT, Cloud, 5G/6G, and Blockchain as the building blocks.
• Dedicated part covering the diverse applications of the metaverse across various business and technological domains.
• In another part of book underscored the concerns of the metaverse on privacy, identity and sustainability
• It Highlights pressing need for standards and practices within the metaverse ecosystem, emphasizing the importance of collective initiatives to foster an ethical and responsible metaverse.

It was heartening to observe the alignment between the MIPS initiative and the call to action outlined in my book, highlighting the collective responsibility of academia, industry, governing bodies, and individuals to ensure a safe transition into the future. The diversity of MIPS members aptly reflected this collective endeavor.

For those interested, here are the slides from my presentation:

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☞ Exploring the Metaverse - Synopsis

Open Discussions and Next Steps

In our open discussions, we delved into various aspects of the MIPS initiative, with members contributing valuable insights on execution, operations, and expected outcomes. It’s great to note that MIPS has garnered a strong start, attracting like-minded individuals eager to contribute. Moving forward, we will consolidate the inputs gathered and chart the course of action for the future. Additionally, we would aim to broaden the scope of the group to enhance its reach and impact.

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