Egyptian developer, 13, wants to build own metaverse - in pictures

Omar Wael, 13, an Egyptian developer, uses a virtual reality device as he works at his home in Alexandria, Egypt. All photos: Reuters
Omar Wael, 13, an Egyptian developer, uses a virtual reality device as he works at his home in Alexandria, Egypt. All photos: Reuters
Wearing a virtual reality headset and black and yellow wired gloves. The Egyptian teenager is hoping to build his own version of the metaverse, allowing people to one day shop, attend classes, or even conduct experiments online.
Wearing a virtual reality headset and black and yellow wired gloves. The Egyptian teenager is hoping to build his own version of the metaverse, allowing people to one day shop, attend classes, or even conduct experiments online.
Omar sits at home with his family in Alexandria, Egypt.
Omar sits at home with his family in Alexandria, Egypt.
The artificial intelligence junkie became fascinated by the world of virtual reality after watching 'Ready Player One', a 2018 science fiction film in which much of humanity uses a virtual reality simulation. This inspired him to start working on his own version of the project.
The artificial intelligence junkie became fascinated by the world of virtual reality after watching 'Ready Player One', a 2018 science fiction film in which much of humanity uses a virtual reality simulation. This inspired him to start working on his own version of the project.
His idea started taking shape when the metaverse became more easily accessible, thanks to tech companies investing billions into the industry in the past few years. Using some of his mother's old clothes, Wael developed a sensory vest and glove. He also started working on software that he hopes will allow pupils like himself to attend classes via the metaverse.
His idea started taking shape when the metaverse became more easily accessible, thanks to tech companies investing billions into the industry in the past few years. Using some of his mother's old clothes, Wael developed a sensory vest and glove. He also started working on software that he hopes will allow pupils like himself to attend classes via the metaverse.
'This saves the environment and reduces traffic,' he says. 'Researchers who work on chemical experiments won't have to buy expensive chemical materials, they can simply carry out their experiments in a virtual lab, in a simulation of what happens in reality.'
'This saves the environment and reduces traffic,' he says. 'Researchers who work on chemical experiments won't have to buy expensive chemical materials, they can simply carry out their experiments in a virtual lab, in a simulation of what happens in reality.'
Omar won various local and international awards for his project 'The Other World' - for which he hopes to secure funding to enable him to develop it further.
Omar won various local and international awards for his project 'The Other World' - for which he hopes to secure funding to enable him to develop it further.
The teen's passion for AI and technology started when he was aged only 5. He built his first robot when he was 9.
The teen's passion for AI and technology started when he was aged only 5. He built his first robot when he was 9.