Web 3.0: Is It the Future of the Internet?

The internet is constantly evolving, and with each new iteration come new possibilities and opportunities. Web 3.0 is the latest development, and many believe it could be the future of the internet. In article 1 of this series let’s understand what Web 3.0 is and how businesses can use it to their benefit.

The Internet of Things (IoT) is interconnecting devices and objects across homes and industries through networks big and small. It allows us to control our homes, cars, entire buildings, machinery, and much more over the internet. It is taking technology a step ahead. 

But what if the internet evolves? 

The websites and applications we use today start operating in a completely different way? 

This evolved version of the internet is referred to as Web 3.0 by experts. A deeper dive into the technology shows that the internet is heading towards a massive transformation. 

What is Web 3.0 & Why Does It Matters?

The spatial web, also known as Web 3.0, is a new type of internet that uses location-based data and mapping technologies to create rich, interactive experiences for users. This emerging technology represents a fundamental shift in how we access and interact with information online, enabling us to seamlessly explore the world around us through virtual reality interfaces and connections.

There is no single definition for Web 3.0, the computing era that follows our current, mobile-powered Web 2.0. Most people identify Web 3.0 as Semantic Web.  Other people include the spatial web, the mobile web, and even the social web in their definition. We can all agree that whatever 3.0 looks like, it will be more intelligent, more personalized, and more connected than the internet we have today.

But if we think of the spatial web as an extension of the current internet, it is easy to see how this new way of interacting with information and each other will change our lives in profound ways.

The spatial web will use location-based data to create rich, interactive experiences for users. This could be anything from enabling technologies, including augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR), advanced networking (5G), Geo-location, IoT devices and sensors, distributed ledger technology (blockchain), and artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML).

With the spatial web, information will be more contextually relevant and personalized to each user. This means that users can access information from anywhere and receive recommendations based on their location or individual preferences. Overall, the spatial web has the potential to transform how we work, learn, play, and interact with each other.

The spatial web has three layers:

1. Spatial interaction layer- The layer that contains the contextual and real-time information to seamlessly bring together the digital and physical layers.
2. Digital information layer- The layer that contains the digital mapping of our physical world by creating digital twins of each object around us.
3. Physical layer- The layer that contains all physical infrastructure around us, technology will make it capable of supporting the spatial web.

Building the Spatial Web

Just as earlier capabilities gave rise to Web 1.0 and Web 2.0,  today we are seeing the emergence of a new generation of spatial technologies that are ushering in what is being called Web 3.0 – the spatial web. The technology has penetrated across the three tiers of IT architectures i.e. interaction, computation, and information.

• Interaction -  The spatial web not only allows us to visualize spatial data in new ways but also lets us interact with spatial information in new and more intuitive ways. For example, location-based services allow us to find nearby restaurants or other points of interest using our mobile devices, while augmented reality applications allow us to overlay relevant spatial data.
• Computation - It is used for the logic that analyzes spatial information and spatial reasoning, i.e., spatial queries for spatial databases where data from Web 3.0 is stored.
• Information - It facilitates shared understanding and use of spatial data for accurate and secure computational functions.

The Internet of Tomorrow

The Internet is entering the next stage in its evolution. Its first phase was about connecting people and sharing information. The second phase was about adding interactivity and multimedia. Now, the third phase as we know it today seems all about creating a more immersive online experience with features like virtual reality and augmented reality. 

For businesses, this means new opportunities to reach customers and create engaging digital experiences. Companies will participate in the evolution by connecting the 3D versions of their assets and products to the spatial web. It will enable new use cases for the business while improving the customer experience manifolds.