Virtual reality

Læs og oplev H. C. Andersens eventyr om den lille havfrue, der bytter sin fiskehale ud med menneskeben for at følge sit hjerte. Det originale eventyr er nyillustreret og beriget med et digitalt spilunivers.Udforsk et levende univers med Augmented RealityNår du peger på farveillustrationerne i bogen med din smartphone eller iPad, åbner app’en et vindue til bogens univers direkte oven på siderne. Man oplever på denne måde karaktererne fra bogen i "levende live" gennem spil og opgaver, der kan løses. Jo bedre man lytter efter detaljerne i historien, jo nemmere er det at løse opgaverne og spille spillene. Børn og barnlige sjæle bliver på denne måde suget ind i universet, nysgerrige på den fantasiverden, der ligger gemt i teksten.LÆS - UDFORSK - SPIL!Med Augmented Reality-teknologi bliver H. C. Andersens oprindelige tekst og universelle historie tilgængelig for alle. Det originale eventyr rummer så mange temaer og eventyrlige detaljer, som her udfoldes i spiluniverset, så alle kan være med. Den helt særlige kombination af bogen og AR-teknologi gør, at læseren drages ind i en magisk verden, hvor man kan gå på opdagelse, udforske og interagere med det litterære univers: læse, lege og lære!App featuresUdforsk eventyret fra alle vinklerSpil leg og lærInterager med det magiske universFlotte og detaljerede miljøer fulde af livBooks & Magic lancerer med Den lille havfrue en ny genre, Augmented Reality books, hvor bogens univers via app'en bliver bragt til live gennem 3D animationer, spil og Augmented Reality teknologi.Læs mere om produktet: www.booksandmagic.comHent app'en: www.booksandmagic.com/appFølg med på Facebook: www.booksandmagic.com/facebook

THE 30th ANNIVERSARY EDITION WITH NEW, NEVER-BEFORE-PUBLISHED MATERIALAfter the Internet, what came next?Enter the Metaverse - cyberspace home to avatars and software daemons, where anything and just about everything goes. Newly available on the Street - the Metaverse's main drag - is Snow Crash. A cyberdrug that reduces avatars in the digital world to dust, but also infects users in real life, leaving them in a vegetative state.This is bad news for Hiro, a freelance hacker and the Metaverse's best swordfighter, and mouthy skateboard courier Y. T.. Together, investigating the Infocalypse, they trace back the roots of language itself to an ancient Sumerian priesthood and find they must race to stop a shadowy virtual villain hell-bent on world domination.In this special edition of the remarkably prescient modern classic, Neal Stephenson exploreslinguistics, computer science, politics and philosophy in the form of a break-neck adventure into the fast-approaching yet eerily recognizable future.'Fast-forward free-style mall mythology for the twenty-first century' William Gibson'Brilliantly realized' New York Times Book Review 'Like a Pynchon novel with the brakes removed' Washington Post'A remarkably prescient vision of today's tech landscape' Vanity Fair

The Little MermaidRead and experience H. C. Andersen's original fairy tale about the little mermaid, who swaps her fishtail for human legs to be able to follow her heart.READ - EXPLORE - PLAY!Using The Little Mermaid app, children of all ages can explore the magical universe of the fairy tale and discover a rich and inspiring world of activities hidden in the classic story. Through the beautifully crafted illustrations in the physical book, the Augmented Reality technology facilitates interaction with the text through funny and challenging mobile games related to the plot. This ignites the imagination, inspires children to read and speaks directly to the heart of story-loving readers, because you can explore and engage with the literary universe - read, interact, play and learn!App features:Explore the fairy tale from any anglePlay gamesInteract with the universeRich detailed environments full of lifeAbout Books & MagicBooks & Magic is a young and ambitious company that intends to set the future standard for Augmented Reality books. Through interaction between pages and pixels, Books & Magic combines the traditional reading experience (paper, inc, spine) with new app technology in augmented reality games, which altogether creates the magical reading experience.Learn more: www.booksandmagic.com to learn more.Download the app here: www.booksandmagic.com/appFollow us on Facebook: www.booksandmagic.com/facebook

Stay prepared for the next wave of technological innovation with VR and AR¿DESCRIPTION Virtual and extended reality technologies have come a long way since their inception, and today, they are poised to change how we work, learn, and interact with the world. From gaming and entertainment to education, healthcare, and beyond, these technologies have the potential to revolutionize many aspects of our lives. Understand the advancement of VR hardware, then master immersive design principles and analyze the powerful role of AI in XR. Explore the frontiers of VR/AR applications, from revolutionizing healthcare with virtual surgery simulations to bringing history to life with interactive AR experiences. Learn the business landscape of VR/AR, perfect the ethical considerations, and gain a deep understanding of the technical workings behind these incredible technologies. With practical guidance on building VR apps in Unity and monetizing your creations.By the end of the book, readers will have a deep understanding of the potential benefits and risks of these technologies, as well as the knowledge and tools needed to build successful VR and AR applications that are both innovative and ethical.WHAT YOU WILL LEARN¿ Understand fundamentals of Immersive technologies like AR, VR, and XR.¿ In-depth understanding of the concepts of presence.¿ Understand the ethical considerations surrounding VR and AR.¿ How VR applications can be built with unity and the scope of monetization.WHO THIS BOOK IS FORThis book is for tech enthusiasts, educators, healthcare professionals, artists, and entrepreneurs alike, offering a captivating journey into the future of immersive technologies.

This monograph explores the synergy of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Augmented Reality (AR) and cognitive processes to enhance spatial abilities ¿ an integral aspect of cognitive development. The ability to comprehend and manipulate spatial information is not only fundamental to our understanding of the physical world but also plays a pivotal role in numerous academic and professional fields. Recognizing the profound impact of spatial ability on scientific disciplines and educational achievement, this monograph takes on the challenge of enhancing spatial skills among users.The authors present the design and development of a mobile training system that incorporates AR features to enhance learners¿ spatial ability. Involving mental generation, transformation, and rotation of visual images for understanding spatial relationships, spatial ability is closely linked to success in various scientific disciplines and educational pursuits. While spatial visualization skills testsare available, this monograph takes a unique approach by focusing on developing targeted interventions to improve spatial ability. It aims to unlock new avenues for cognitive growth and dive into the untapped potential within the realm of spatial intelligence. Beyond its emphasis on spatial ability enhancement, this monograph goes above and beyond traditional approaches by integrating AI techniques into the training system. As such, it aims to provide personalized and adaptive learning experiences for learners. The training system, through intelligent techniques, dynamically analyzes individual learners¿ strengths, weaknesses, and progress, tailoring content and challenges to their specific needs. This effort establishes a new frontier in educational technology, offering a groundbreaking solution that not only augments spatial ability development but also showcases the transformative potential of AI in reshaping the learning experience.The book is a valuable resource for researchers, educators, developers and technology enthusiasts, as it exemplifies the profound impact of AI and AR in shaping the future of online learning experiences.

Discover the power of storytelling with Unreal Engine 5's real-time technology, exploring storyboarding, character creation, world building, animating using sequencers, and much more with the help of an Unreal Authorized InstructorKey Features- Learn in detail about filmmaking techniques and understand how to tie that into your Unreal Engine workflow- Generate and animate near-photorealistic actors using the innovative MetaHuman technology- Build expansive worlds with Nanite and Lumen Global Illumination and Reflections technology- Purchase of the print or Kindle book includes a free PDF eBookBook DescriptionVirtual Filmmaking with Unreal Engine 5 is the first Unreal Engine book to guide you through the complete process of virtual film production. Encompassing the full spectrum of filmmaking, this book demonstrates the use of an industry-standard tool used by studios such as Disney, ILM, DNEG, and Framestore.Walking through the process systematically, you'll collect references and create a simple storyboard to plan your shots. You'll create virtual environments, import 3D models and add materials and textures to build photorealistic, dynamic worlds. You'll also create actors using highly customizable MetaHumans, understand how to import, re-target, and animate them. You'll bring it all together with cinematic lighting and camera animation before exporting your film.By the end of this book, you'll have discovered new tools for your toolkit to work on your virtual film projects in Unreal Engine 5, leveraging Quixel Megascans, Lumen, Nanite, and MetaHuman technology.What you will learn- Grasp the principles of photography and the art of storytelling- Collect references and create storyboards- Discover Unreal Engine's hidden features and useful keyboard shortcuts- Explore the capabilities of Quixel Megascans, Lumen, Nanite, and MetaHumans- Adopt cinematic techniques to achieve professional-looking shots- Creatively apply Lumen Global Illumination and Reflections techniques- Use multiple virtual cameras and apply post-production techniques- Implement best practices for optimization, post processing, and renderingWho this book is forWhether you're a beginner or intermediate filmmaker, 3D artist, animator, visual effects artist, or virtual production professional with just basic knowledge of the Unreal Engine, this book is designed to help you enter the world of virtual films and animations.While prior experience with the Unreal Engine would be beneficial, a deep working knowledge is not essential, as the book introduces the relevant tools and features needed throughout the activities.Table of Contents- Getting Started with Unreal Engine- Understanding the Principles of Photography, Film Cameras, and Lenses- Understanding the Art of Storytelling and Creating Your Storyboard- Importing 3D Objects and Creating Levels- Creating Environments with Quixel Megascans- Creating and Applying Materials to 3D Meshes- Creating Actors with Unreal Engine MetaHumans- Retargeting the MetaHumans for Unreal Engine 5- Adding Animations and Facial Expressions to Your MetaHuman Characters- Adding and Animating Virtual Cameras Using the Level Sequencer- Enhancing Set Dressing, Retiming Shots, and Adding Niagara Particles- Setting the Mood with Lighting and Adding Post-Processing Effects- Exploring Color Management, Additional Camera Settings and Rendering Your Shots- Adding Sound and Finalizing Your Virtual Film- Appendix: Creating Material IDs Using Blender

This book describes the most recent strategies for the digitalization of railway sector that bring new challenges for the construction, operation, and maintenance of railway infrastructures. These strategies involve the development and application of new technologies and methodologies to enhance the sustainability and resilience of railway infrastructures particularly under extreme climate and operational events. In particular, the digital transformation involves the use of digital twins, augmented and virtual reality, forecast capabilities, risk and life-cycle analysis, cybersecurity, unmanned technologies for monitoring and inspection, computer vision, AI, risk and disaster management, among others. Presently, the literature is lacking a contribution that provides general and foundational knowledge across these and other topics. Therefore, this book provides valuable information for researchers, students, and professionals in railway engineering that want to developtheir knowledge and skills in this field.

This book offers a comprehensive collection of the latest research presented at the 8th International XR-Metaverse Conference, held in Las Vegas, USA in 2023. Its goal is to bridge the gap between academia and industry by advancing the state of the art in metaverse, XR, AI-based AR and VR technologies, and by exploring their applications in various fields such as business, marketing, education, health care, tourism, events, fashion, entertainment, retail, and the gaming industry. Including contributions by prominent XR scholars from around the globe, the book addresses a wide range of significant topics concerning XR and the metaverse. Showcasing cutting-edge research outputs, it will be of interest to both academics and practitioners eager to catch up on the latest developments in this rapidly evolving field.

"Fantasies of Virtual Reality strips bare the tech industry's vision of a future dominated by immersive VR experiences, challenging the utopian promises of this technology, and the claims that it will revolutionize entertainment, communication, education, and business. While VR does hold significant potential, the overhyped expectations surrounding it, from achieving true empathetic understanding to transforming traditional education and office work, are often overstated -- not to mention fraught with issues of privacy, data security, and accessibility"--

Aufgrund des demografischen Wandels, gesteigerten Nachhaltigkeitsanforderungen sowie der erforderlichen Steigerung der Resilienz wirtschaftlicher Prozesse, nimmt die Relevanz von digitalen Assistenzsystemen für die Arbeitswelt stetig zu. Insbesondere der immersiven Technologie Augmented Reality (dt. erweiterte Realität ¿ AR) wird eine besondere Unterstützungswirkung als Schnittstelle zwischen Mensch und Maschine in der digitalen Produktion beigemessen. In dieser Arbeit wird das Potenzial von Augmented-Reality-gestützter digitaler Assistenzsysteme für den Einsatz in der industriellen additiven Produktion ganzheitlich untersucht und anhand einer Systementwicklung zur unterstützenden Begleitung manueller Tätigkeiten in der Prozesskette des Laserstrahlschmelzverfahrens demonstriert und wirtschaftlich bewertet. Angesichts der interdisziplinären und anwendungsorientierten Natur dieser Aufgabe, wurde die gestaltungsorientierte Forschung als Rahmenwerk gewählt, welche die zweckdienliche und stringente Nutzung methodischer Werkzeuge zur Erschließung menschenzentrierter Systeme als Kern hat. Das entwickelte System befähigt Nutzende ohne Vorerfahrung zur Durchführung komplexer Rüst- und Wartungsaufgaben an der Produktionsanlage und trägt hierbei zu einer signifikanten Fehlerreduktion im Vergleich zur konventionellen Wissensvermittlung bei.

This book covers the most important subjects of digital twin in a process plant, including foundations, methods, achievements, and applications in a brownfield environment. Besides offering a variety of applications and procedural variants from research and industrial practice, this book also provides a comprehensive insight into holistic plant planning. It also discusses the challenges that currently exist in different application areas. This book would be of interest to industry professionals and researchers in industrial and manufacturing engineering.

This Element argues for the importance of extended reality as an innovative force that changes our understanding of theatre and Shakespeare. It shows how the inclusion of augmented and virtual realities in performance can reconfigure the senses of the experiencers, enabling them to engage with technology actively.

Does your business run you, or are you running your business?The book Virtual Assistant Assistant is perfect for business owners who want to grow their company to new heights. There is a remedy if you've ever found yourself thinking there simply aren't enough hours in the day. It also won't force you into bankruptcy. In essence, virtual assistants are contractors that work from home for your company.This book tells you everything you need to know about virtual assistants, including:· Where to find the best ones· How to hire them· Best practices for working with them on an ongoing basisIt's written from firsthand experience, NOT theoretical or academic fluff. You'll discover how hiring a skilled virtual assistant can help you avoid wasting time, money, or headaches. Learn how to efficiently outsource your non-essential duties and take charge of your entrepreneurial life. You'll have hours each day to devote to what matters most.Virtual assistants can ultimately make your life happier, healthier, more productive, and stress-free. Many of the day-to-day tasks can be delegated, and in my opinion, they should be. This will free you up to work on the more important, strategic, and financially rewarding tasks that are sometimes overlooked. Our most valuable resource is time. However, we also waste this resource the fastest. Even though you might not immediately adopt a 4-hour workweek, this book will provide you with useful guidance.

This Element focuses on Sleep No More, the iconic immersive theatre production of Macbeth produced by the British company Punchdrunk. Sleep No More and the Discourses of Shakespeare Performance frames this Shakespeare adaptation as part of a system of ghostly citationality through which audiences understand the significance of the past in performance today. Moreover, despite its seemingly analog format, Sleep No More is discussed as a valuable site for media research. And the concept of 'uncanny spectatorship' is introduced to describe audience practice in Sleep No More and other performance contexts. Ultimately, this Element offers readers the opportunity to explore a set of concepts that are significant to the study of Shakespeare in performance and to consider the ways in which audiences interact with bodies, spaces, text, and media in Sleep No More and other immersive experiences.

Get up and running with blockchain, smart contracts, NFTs, DAOs, and decentralization in no time with the help of this comprehensive guideKey Features:Get to grips with Web3, NFTs, DeFi, and smart contract developmentCreate fungible and non-fungible tokens, explore DAOs, and moreBuild powerful apps using Ethereum to secure transactions and create smart contractsPurchase of the print or Kindle book includes a free PDF eBookBook Description:Web3, the new blockchain-based web, is often hailed as the future of the internet. Driven by technologies such as cryptocurrencies, NFTs, DAOs, decentralized finance, and more, Web3's aim is to give individuals more control over the web communities they belong to. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced developer, this book will help you master the intricacies of Web3 and its revolutionary technologies.Beginning with a concise introduction to blockchain and the Ethereum ecosystem, this book quickly immerses you in real-world blockchain applications. You'll work on carefully crafted hands-on exercises that are designed for beginners as well as users with prior exposure. The chapters show you how to build and deploy smart contracts, while mastering security controls and discovering best practices for writing secure code. As you progress, you'll explore tokenization and gain proficiency in minting both fungible and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) with the help of step-by-step instructions. The concluding chapters cover advanced topics, including oracles, Layer 2 (L2) networks, rollups, zero knowledge proofs, and decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs).By the end of this Web3 book, you'll be well-versed in the Web3 ecosystem and have the skills to build powerful and secure decentralized applications.What You Will Learn:Get an in-depth understanding of Ethereum's ecosystem, its status, and key EIPs and ERCsGain practical skills using non-custodial wallets such as MetaMask for blockchain transactionsWrite, debug, and deploy smart contracts on test networksDiscover Web3 dev tools and set up a local environmentGet to grips with tokenomics and create ERC20, ERC721, and ERC1155 tokensExplore decentralized storage with IPFS and integrate it into your Web3 projectsExpand your NFT strategy with APIs and SDKs to lead in the NFT spaceWho this book is for:This book is for blockchain developers and blockchain enthusiasts who want to build powerful and secure decentralized applications. Familiarity with the basics of blockchain, along with knowledge of how they function, is necessary to grasp the topics discussed in this book.

This book constitutes the proceedings of the 5th International Conference, AsiaHaptics 2022, in Beijing, China, in November 2022.The 17 full papers included in this volume were carefully reviewed and selected from 46 submissions. The conference presents the latest developments of haptic hardware in education, culture, tourism, medicine, elderly care and disability assistance.

This book concisely describes the technologies, human perception, and cognition issues relevant to autonomous vehicles. It also gives an insight in the changes bring about our future everyday lives.Autonomous vehicles are the future of the automobile industry. Automated driving (AD), also called self-driving, raises however several multiple questions, among them those of user safety and acceptation. Comprehensive HMI system design, with windshield display technics, will be necessary to deal with driving task delegations, bringing the use of VR or augmented reality (AR) technologies. In addition, the use of VR for all the vehicle interiors will progressively be proposed for entertainment, online business activities and for modified visual motion perception to alleviate car sickness, a form of motion sickness. Indeed, car sickness is already well known for many passengers, especially when reading or operating smartphones or other display devices. It is called to increase significantly with the introduction of autonomous vehicles where all users will be for long periods in various sitting positions. These two new trends, AD and VR, are already modifying our relationship with the world and the society. All together, they will change our way of life forever. The book will be of interest to professionals in the auto industry, researchers in automotive engineering and computer science and all those interested in the future of transport.

What is a Virtual Assistant?In today's fast-paced, technologically advanced world, the concept of a virtual assistant has gained tremendous popularity. But what exactly is a virtual assistant, and how can they help you elevate your business as a side hustle?A virtual assistant, commonly referred to as a VA, is a professional who provides remote administrative, technical, or creative assistance to individuals or businesses. They offer a wide range of services, from managing emails and scheduling appointments to social media management and graphic design. The beauty of hiring a virtual assistant is that they work remotely, allowing you to focus on your side hustle while delegating tasks that can be time-consuming or require specific expertise.One of the key advantages of hiring a virtual assistant for your side hustle is the flexibility they offer. Whether you need assistance for a few hours a week or on a project basis, virtual assistants can adapt to your needs. They can help you with small tasks that eat up your time, freeing you to focus on the core aspects of your business. For example, a virtual assistant can handle customer inquiries, manage your website, or even create content for your blog or social media platforms.Furthermore, virtual assistants bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the table. As professionals in their respective fields, they are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to perform tasks efficiently and effectively. Hiring a virtual assistant allows you to tap into their expertise, benefiting from their specialized skill set without the need for extensive training or hiring full-time employees.In addition to being cost-effective, virtual assistants also provide a level of scalability that is ideal for side hustles. As your business grows, you can easily expand the scope of work assigned to your virtual assistant. This scalability ensures that you have the support you need, no matter how small or large your side hustle becomes.

If you've newly bought a macbook air, you'll surely be excited. And you should be. The macbook air is one of the most powerful laptops the world has ever seen.This tremendous machine works super-fast. It can help you do things that'll blow minds- your kids, friends, colleagues at work, customers, and clients will not believe how good your work is. You can watch videos, play games, hold video conferences, create music, send emails, do a graphic design, sell your products and on and on. But you need to know how to use your new baby well before it can fetch you money and fun. So where do you start? Here is a sneak peek at what's inside:Setting up your deviceBanner features for the fire tv stickInstalling apps for fire stickHow to download apps using the search functionHow to install apps using alexaHow to uninstall an appHow to clear cacheHow to add movies or tv shows to your watch listBecause of its iconic appearance, improved performance, and low pricing, the ipad air 5 is sure to be a tremendous hit for both existing and new ipad users.This book is an easy-to-understand manual that outlines the essential features of the ipad air 5th gen. And it offers an easy walk-through on how to use and explore the features of this new device.

This edited book explores the use of technology to enable us to visualize the life sciences in a more meaningful and engaging way. It will enable those interested in visualization techniques to gain a better understanding of the applications that can be used in visualization, imaging and analysis, education, engagement and training. The reader will also be able to learn about the use of visualization techniques and technologies for the historical and forensic settings. The reader will be able to explore the utilization of technologies from a number of fields to enable an engaging and meaningful visual representation of the biomedical sciences. We have something for a diverse and inclusive audience ranging from healthcare, patient education, animal health and disease and pedagogies around the use of technologies in these related fields. The first four chapters cover healthcare and detail how technology can be used to illustrate emergency surgical access to the airway, pressure sores, robotic surgery in partial nephrectomy, and respiratory viruses.  The last six chapters in the education section cover augmented reality and learning neuroanatomy, historical artefacts, virtual reality in canine anatomy, holograms to educate children in cardiothoracic anatomy, 3D models of cetaceans, and the impact of the pandemic on digital anatomical educational resources.   

Unlock the power of creating your own multiplayer virtual world and explore infinite possibilities by following practical examples on building, designing, and implementing various features in this part-color guideKey Features:Create your own Metaverse from scratch with detailed and practical instructionsUse Firebase tools to create a distinctive and feature-rich virtual worldCompile and distribute the finished project to various platformsPurchase of the print or Kindle book includes a free PDF eBookBook Description:Build Your Own Metaverse with Unity is a practical guide for developers with step-by-step explanations, practical examples, and screenshots to guide them through essential concepts.You'll start by learning how to install Unity and create a character that can move around the virtual world. Next, you'll learn how to integrate multiplayer functionality, user identification, and registration in your game universe. You'll explore how to create interactive characters dealing with different attributes of the virtual world, including acquiring homes and decorating them with various features. Additionally, you'll understand how to use Firebase tools to make your Metaverse unique. By following the expert advice, you'll be able to create a feature rich Metaverse where players can interact with NPCs, acquire homes, and interact with other players online. Finally, you'll discover how to compile and distribute the finished project to various platforms, while acquiring with necessary skills and knowledge to create a unique and groundbreaking Metaverse.By the end of this book, you'll be well-equipped to create a Metaverse with infinite possibilities.What You Will Learn:Master Photon SDK to construct a universe with multiplayer capabilitiesFamiliarize yourself with the benefits of Firebase services when working with Unity3DStore data and settings in a cloud-based databaseAcquire the skills to create NFTs using Unity3D and C#Explore dynamic object generation from cloud data and manage game character mechanicsIncorporate Oculus quest 2 into your MetaverseAllow gamers to register or log in through Firebase authentication for safe gameplayWho this book is for:This book is perfect for beginners as well as seasoned game developers alike. With its help, you'll learn valuable skills in idea planning, construction, compilation, and distribution, ensuring a holistic understanding of metaverse development.

This book examines two topics in the context of product design and enabling technologies: User eXperience (UX) and eXtended Reality (XR). UX regards the ways in which people interact with the environment and with objects and is considered of primary importance in many contexts. When developing new products, UX must be carefully designed and evaluated directly with the users. Prototyping is a well-known, effective, and widely used practice for design evaluation. The book describes how prototyping based on XR technologies, including Virtual, Augmented and Mixed Reality, is a suitable approach for testing ideas and products without fully physically building them. The major benefits, which are well explained and demonstrated in this book, consist in allowing users to experience products, including their appearance, functions, and usability, in a digital context that can be easily modified and customized according to the users¿ feedback and the context of use.The audience of the book includes graduate students who wish to learn more about prototyping methods and technologies and product and digital application designers who can deepen their knowledge on advanced digital technologies for evaluating the designs of products and experiences.

This book focuses on the design, development, and analysis of augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR)-based systems, along with the technological impacts and challenges in social learning. Social Learning provides a comprehensive approach to researching methods in the emerging fields of AR/VR. The contributors of this book outline the state-of-the-art implementation of AR/VR for the Internet of Things, Blockchains, Big Data, and 5G within AR/VR systems.

This book explores the latest advances in the field of building management. Several chapters use new technologies such as the BIM methodology for collecting life cycle information and managing the maintenance of existing buildings, sharing valid historical and architectural heritage data, energy analysis of building envelopes, and planning new buildings or sustainable building practices. In addition, other tools are presented that focus on improving access to BIM information, open-source governance, mobile applications to accelerate information transfer, the use of blockchain, lean design methods, and open-source software to solve critical path problems. Some contributions feature the assessment of occupational risks in construction, as it is necessary to plan preventive measures based on risk assessments integrated throughout the construction process, which is another important element for the management of this sector.

The Metaverse and Smart Cities: Urban Environments in the Age of Digital Connectivity explores the intersection between the rapidly growing metaverse and the future of cities. The metaverse is a virtual world that is increasingly gaining attention as a new frontier for human interaction and commerce. At the same time, cities are undergoing significant transformation as they face challenges such as population growth, urbanization, and environmental degradation. Urban planners and city administrators will find valuable insights on how the metaverse can be integrated into the planning and development of smart, sustainable, and future cities. The book begins with an introduction to the concepts and technology of the metaverse as well as its history. It then sheds light on the current and future challenges and opportunities that the metaverse presents to cities and the quality of life of urban dwellers. It delves into the ways in which the metaverse can change cities, both in terms of their physical and virtual environments, and the impact it can have on the lives of those who live in them. It brings together the latest research and perspectives from experts in the fields of virtual reality, urban planning, and sustainability, to provide a comprehensive and up-to-date picture of this rapidly evolving field.