Real People in the Real World

The Now is seen via special glasses. People just travel in the real world as they do ordinarily.

Avatars

Real people using Avatars will preferably use a VR system that combines glasses with a treadmill. Such a system will necessarily take up space, and will most likely be in a dedicated room within a house or office. Probably also available in libraries.

A tablet or computer could also be used, just like playing a first-person shooter. The experience would not be as good as a VR system, but would be sufficient for many activities.

Spawning

Because Avatars lack a physical counterpart, in theory  they could start their adventure anywhere in the world of Now. Because MapMerge needs sources of revenue, initially there should be limited spawning points.

A starting point could be real world Post Offices, Town Halls or phone booths. Also worth consideration are dedicated spawn points with Real World counterparts. A sign-post or little TARDIS statue could do the trick. Because of virtual public transport, perhaps spawn points should be located close to stops and stations.

It is anticipated that some spawning points will be free, and some will attract a micropayment. One way of determine this would be popularity. If spawning is limited to once every 15 seconds, whenever more users wish to arrive there, an auction can take place and fees charged – behind the scenes of course. All users will see is a price attached to some points, and free to others.

Distance and Speed of Travel

Standard Avatar movement will be walking pace, probably a brisk walking pace. Running is probably also allowed.

You will be able to travel in the Now via a telepresence robot, or perhaps a special taxi designed for transporting Avatars.

Virtual Public Transport will be the primary means of cheaply travelling fast. VPT will occur in parallel with real world counterparts that are suitably fitted with cameras and GPS, and connected to the Now. Micro-payments will be levied.

Spawning to a precise place will certainly be possible, however it will be the most expensive form of travel. The price will be related to the time and expense to get to the same point using spawning points, walking or public transport.

Example of how pricing could work is here.

Robots

The challenges will be negotiating slopes, bumps, steps, elevators and so on. While the technology will definitely catch up one day, this could be the last piece of the puzzle to be completed.

Drones

Drones will soon be a big part of our lives, with or without MapMerge. The technology for them to travel in the air already exists, we just need the infrastructure and rules to be set up.

It is envisioned that robots and drones will navigate primarily using the Now, augmented with their own vision systems to verify nothing has changed, and to avoid obstacles that can independently move, like people and animals.