Users can interact in a computer-generated ecosystem through their digital clones

During the lockdown that lasted for months in the UAE, a parallel universe only heard of in SciFi fantasies became a reality, as shopping, work, education and healthcare, along with other activities were facilitated by online platforms. The digital realm became the only medium of interaction as restrictions were imposed on movements, and outdoor activities as well as sports were replaced by online games, which also triggered a migration towards virtual reality.

Even as things are getting back on track, the demand for social distancing has led to unlocking of digital art galleries and platforms which have set the stage for virtual concerts. For those who can't get enough of the online universe and are gearing up for a future where digital interactions will become all the more common, a 3D scanner has been launched in the UAE for creating avatars.

But the device from Metahero, which was recently unveiled in Dubai, is no lightweight gadget, since it weighs about 1.5 tonnes and is embedded with 200 new generation cameras from tech giant Sony. To get a complete picture of a person from every angle, the moment they walk into the scanner, cameras have even been placed inside the floor.

The digital clone created by this mechanism will be an accurate replica of an individual with HD clarity, and users can interact with each other in a virtual ecosystem through their avatars. Designed for the fourth industrial revolution when meetings and conferences will be conducted online, the scanner will also revolutionise the world of gaming, by turning people into characters.

Gamers can even register their virtual twins, and then get paid by developers who want to use the 3D replicas for their online arena. The entire process of taking a photo to cover all aspects is super-quick, since the machine only takes a 100th of a second to pull it off.

Recently, the Italian pavilion at Dubai Expo unveiled the most accurate replica of Michelangelo's sculpture David, created by scanning the original and 3D printing a clone.