Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 6 days ago
The next evolution of the internet is spatial.
Moving beyond traditional 2D web pages, the open metaverse will organize digital experiences around physical and virtual 3D spaces. Mobile phones and AR glasses can view digital content anchored to the real world, in the form of holographic museum exhibits, interactive storefronts, or instructions overlaid directly onto machinery. People can gather virtually in real or virtual spaces.
To ensure this spatial ecosystem remains open and interoperable, allowing anyone to host and curate their own spatial content, developers are building tools that avoid vendor lock-in.
Recently, RP1 open-sourced its metaverse fabric map server, and Patched Reality introduced Manifolder, a suite of tools for exploring and editing spatial scenes. Furthermore, RP1 and the Open Metaverse Forum launched the Open Metaverse Browser Initiative to standardize how we access spatial services across VR, AR, and mobile devices. Together, these open-source efforts ensure the 3D internet will be shared and accessed by anyone, rather than controlled by a single tech company.
Join us on May 6th to learn about the amazing potential of the internet’s growth into three dimensions.
Immersive technologies are also transforming workforce training and knowledge transfer within the utilities industry. With an estimated 40 percent of the current utility workforce expected to retire by 2030 and demand for skilled workers increasing as grid modernization projects expand, utilities are turning to MR and VR to accelerate training. These technologies create high-fidelity simulations of real-world tasks—such as relay testing, equipment maintenance, or climbing utility poles—allowing technicians to practice safely while receiving immediate feedback. Studies have shown that AR-based training can reduce training time for entry-level technicians by up to 50 percent, while immersive learning programs can also lower training costs and improve retention. In addition, MR/VR platforms enable remote collaboration, allowing experienced engineers to mentor field technicians in real time through shared virtual environments, helping utilities retain institutional knowledge while preparing the next generation of workers to manage increasingly complex energy systems.
Hosts:
Matt Wren - In-Person Host
Founder of The Next Evolution Nonprofit Event Series & VRAR Chicago
Patrick O'Shaughnessey - Guest In-Person Host
CEO & Founder - Patched Reality
Andrew Towl - Virtual Host
XR Unity Developer & 3D Generalist - ApparitionXR
Here are links to all of the projects and organizations mentioned:
RP1: rp1.com
Metaverse Standards Forum: metaverse-standards.org
Khronos Group: khronos.org
Open Metaverse Browser: https://omb.wiki
Project Atrium: github.com/tparisi/atrium
Tony Parisi: tonyparisi.com
Fluxtant: fluxtant.com
Manifolder: patchedreality.com/manifolder
Manifolder (source): github.com/PatchedReality/Manifolder
Manifolder MCP: github.com/PatchedReality/ManifolderMCP
NVZN: nvzn.net
1871: 1871.com
two-degrees: two-degrees.io
Unreal Chicago: communities.unrealengine.com/chicago
Keiichi Matsuda’s hyper-reality: youtube.com/watch?v=YJg02ivYzSs
The Next Evolution | AWE Nite Chicago: thenextevolution.org
Augmented World Expo (AWE): awexr.com
Patched Reality: patchedreality.com
The next evolution of the internet is spatial.
Moving beyond traditional 2D web pages, the open metaverse will organize digital experiences around physical and virtual 3D spaces. Mobile phones and AR glasses can view digital content anchored to the real world, in the form of holographic museum exhibits, interactive storefronts, or instructions overlaid directly onto machinery. People can gather virtually in real or virtual spaces.
To ensure this spatial ecosystem remains open and interoperable, allowing anyone to host and curate their own spatial content, developers are building tools that avoid vendor lock-in.
Recently, RP1 open-sourced its metaverse fabric map server, and Patched Reality introduced Manifolder, a suite of tools for exploring and editing spatial scenes. Furthermore, RP1 and the Open Metaverse Forum launched the Open Metaverse Browser Initiative to standardize how we access spatial services across VR, AR, and mobile devices. Together, these open-source efforts ensure the 3D internet will be shared and accessed by anyone, rather than controlled by a single tech company.
Join us on May 6th to learn about the amazing potential of the internet’s growth into three dimensions.
Immersive technologies are also transforming workforce training and knowledge transfer within the utilities industry. With an estimated 40 percent of the current utility workforce expected to retire by 2030 and demand for skilled workers increasing as grid modernization projects expand, utilities are turning to MR and VR to accelerate training. These technologies create high-fidelity simulations of real-world tasks—such as relay testing, equipment maintenance, or climbing utility poles—allowing technicians to practice safely while receiving immediate feedback. Studies have shown that AR-based training can reduce training time for entry-level technicians by up to 50 percent, while immersive learning programs can also lower training costs and improve retention. In addition, MR/VR platforms enable remote collaboration, allowing experienced engineers to mentor field technicians in real time through shared virtual environments, helping utilities retain institutional knowledge while preparing the next generation of workers to manage increasingly complex energy systems.
Hosts:
Matt Wren - In-Person Host
Founder of The Next Evolution Nonprofit Event Series & VRAR Chicago
Patrick O'Shaughnessey - Guest In-Person Host
CEO & Founder - Patched Reality
Andrew Towl - Virtual Host
XR Unity Developer & 3D Generalist - ApparitionXR
Here are links to all of the projects and organizations mentioned:
RP1: rp1.com
Metaverse Standards Forum: metaverse-standards.org
Khronos Group: khronos.org
Open Metaverse Browser: https://omb.wiki
Project Atrium: github.com/tparisi/atrium
Tony Parisi: tonyparisi.com
Fluxtant: fluxtant.com
Manifolder: patchedreality.com/manifolder
Manifolder (source): github.com/PatchedReality/Manifolder
Manifolder MCP: github.com/PatchedReality/ManifolderMCP
NVZN: nvzn.net
1871: 1871.com
two-degrees: two-degrees.io
Unreal Chicago: communities.unrealengine.com/chicago
Keiichi Matsuda’s hyper-reality: youtube.com/watch?v=YJg02ivYzSs
The Next Evolution | AWE Nite Chicago: thenextevolution.org
Augmented World Expo (AWE): awexr.com
Patched Reality: patchedreality.com
