Metahumans: The Evolution, Structure, and Potential of Digital Investments

Bittime – The concept of metahumans or digital humans increasingly dominates the world of technology and marketing today. In the metaverse, metahumans have become one of the most advanced commercial applications, serving as virtual models and brand spokespeople. To understand more about metahumans, we present an exclusive interview with Tang Yi, founder and Co-President of Shanghai Ranmai Technology, who explains the evolution, industry structure, and investment potential in digital humans.

Evolution of Digital Humans

Digital humans are digital representations created with computer graphics (CG) technology to resemble real humans. Human digital evolution can be divided into four main stages:

1. Early Stage (1980s): During this time, digital humans were first introduced with simple hand drawing techniques.

2. Exploration Phase (early 2000s): The use of computer technology begins to replace manual techniques, with CG and motion capture becoming the main tools in creating digital humans.

3. Early Stage (last five years): Advances in deep learning simplify the production process, with AI becoming a critical component. Famous examples of digital humans from this period are Microsoft's Xiaoice and Samsung's NEON.

4. Growth Stage (current): Significant aesthetic and technological improvements provide digital humans with higher intelligence and greater diversity. Technologies such as AYAYI and Hua Zhibing are leading examples of this era.

Digital Human Industry Structure

The digital humans industry has a complex structure, divided into several important layers:

1. Infrastructure Companies: They provide basic tools for digital human production, such as modeling, rendering, and motion capture. Companies like MAYA, Unity, and ARNOLD fall into this category.

2. Asset Manufacturers: They use basic tools to complete the entire digital human services process. Examples of asset producers are Digital Domain and Faceunity Technology.

3. Planning and Operations Companies: They manage the intellectual property (IP) rights of digital assets and create opportunities for asset derivatives. Companies such as Brud, China Literature Group, and Mihoyo fall into this category.

4. Platform Companies and Industrial Clients: Platform companies are internet service providers such as Baidu, Volcengine, and Tencent. Industry clients include brands, entertainment agencies, mass media and interactive entertainment, such as CCTV, SM Entertainment and Bilibili.

Long Term Investment Value of Digital Humans

Investments in digital humans offer significant long-term value for brands. Some of the main benefits include:

1. Easier Management and Versatility: Compared to celebrity brand spokespeople, digital humans offer ease of management and flexibility. Character designs can be controlled stably, and digital humans can serve the brand without the risk of involving negative incidents. Technology enables consistent content delivery and user-oriented interactions.

2. Effectiveness and Comprehensiveness: Digital humans create unique brand perceptions and deliver conceptualized brand assets in the digital world. They strengthen emotional bonds with customers and offer a more targeted experience compared to traditional membership or points systems.

Brands can choose between using existing digital humans or developing new ones. The use of existing digital humans allows fast marketing with an appropriate image. In contrast, developing a new digital human requires a larger investment and a longer cycle time, costing around RMB 8 to 10 million. However, this investment can provide benefits from IP extensions, NFTs, and business support in brand collaborations.

Before launching a digital human, it is important to determine goals and plan supporting characters and stories. After launch, it is important to continue producing content and driving business transformation between B2B and B2C. Long-term operations involve content planning, creativity, visual post-production, and business development.

With advances in technology and the investment potential on offer, metahumans bring exciting new opportunities to brands and businesses around the world.

How to Buy Crypto on Bittime

You can buy and sell crypto assets easily and safely via Bittime. Bittime is one of the best crypto applications in Indonesia which is officially registered with Bappebti. 

To be able to buy crypto assets on Bittime, make sure you have registered and completed identity verification. Apart from that, also ensure you have sufficient balance by depositing some funds into your wallet. For your information, the minimum purchase of assets on Bittime is IDR 10,000. After that, you can purchase crypto assets in the application. Study Complete Guide How to Buy Crypto on Bittime. 

Monitor graphic movement of Bitcoin (BTC) price, Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), and other cryptos to find out today's crypto market trends in real-time on Bittime.