A Systematic Exploration of Edge Computing-Enabled Metaverse

Metaverse is a concept that aims to create a virtual-reality space where users can engage in social and communication activities. This virtual world is expected to be enabled by a number of key technologies, including edge computing. However, the specific details of how edge computing can boost the development of metaverse still require further investigation, as current literature does not provide sufficient explanations. In this article, we aim to systematically explore the impact of edge computing on the development of metaverse. Firstly, we provide an overview of the architectural design of a metaverse that incorporates edge computing. Next, we delve into the role of edge computing in the metaverse by addressing questions such as why and how it can enhance the virtual world. A use case is then presented to demonstrate how metaverse tasks are offloaded and executed in edge computing-enabled metaverse. Finally, we address some of the challenges associated with this field and outline potential directions for future research.