# The Microverse: A Task-Oriented Edge-Scale Metaverese
## 4 Case Study: A Smart Public Safety Surveillance Microverse for Smart Communities
### Discussion  
The metaverse, a collective virtual shared space created by the convergence of virtually enhanced physical and digital reality, relies on computer vision, including object detection, to create seamless and interactive virtual environments [65; 66]. Exploring the metaverse through a theoretical approach is very complicated. To date, there is no widely accepted standard definition for the metaverse, let alone a mathematical model capable of covering such a highly heterogeneous and diverse design space. In this work, the microverse is introduced as a case study to explore the new frontier from a practical point of view. A microverse is an open framework created following the philosophy of envisioning an immersive future where the physical and virtual/digital worlds are interwoven. The spectrum of applications that fit in the big picture is vast; while technologies like digital twins, VR/AR/XR, and AI have been recognized as essential components of the future metaverse, specific devices, functions, and algorithms are highly application-dependent. Real-time object detection can be a critical component for metaverse applications, depending on the specific use case and the level of interactivity required. Today, we are witnessing the growing adoption of object detection and tracking technologies in emerging state-of-the-art VR/AR devices. For example, the Apple Vision Pro is equipped with six world-facing tracking cameras and four eye-tracking cameras to support an immersive VR/AR experience [67]. In this paper, based on our prior research, public safety was selected as a case study to showcase the potential of the future microverse. Object detection and identification are core functions for public safety surveillance in smart cities. Therefore, YOLO was adopted in this proof-of-concept microverse prototype. The experimental results are merely a preliminary study on a proof-of-concept platform. The system settings, like the frame rate, are configured to accommodate the SPSS. Considering the variety of tasks the system may be applied to, these configurations could be different under other scenarios. The Real-Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP) was adopted over other streaming protocols like HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) and Real-Time Messaging Protocol (RTMP) due to the RTSP's superior low-latency streaming capabilities, which are particularly beneficial in video surveillance and closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems. Various system configurations were tested to meet the specific demands of SPSS, including different bit rates and resolutions, as well as a range of plugins and software tailored for the RTSP pull stream. By optimizing the buffer size, the overall delay was successfully constrained to under one second, ensuring smooth and uninterrupted streaming. Due to available technology, our microverse prototype and VR system remain nascent. The entire environment and infrastructure, including buildings, trees, and real landscapes, have not been wholly mirrored in the virtual realm. With further effort in 3D modeling, the microverse world is expected to provide a more vivid experience for multiple users. Apart from the virtual content in the current version, the operators should be able to create specific content, like their avatars, inside the microverse. Thus, a more immersive virtual experience including VR/AR-enabled human-computer interaction (HCI) would be realized. The current efforts demonstrate the integration of the AR, DDDAS, DT, and information fusion technologies essential to the microverse. Future endeavors could extend beyond object detection using RGB streams to incorporate more sophisticated algorithms applicable to RGB and thermal live feeds, such as tracking and sensitive alerts. Employing 360-degree cameras alongside compatible VR headsets could significantly enhance the user's first-person-view (FPV) experience, making it far more immersive. Limited by the selection of devices and software, the current version of the prototype requires enhancement for interoperability issues.