The Cyber-Physical Meta verse: Where Virtual Dreams Shape Real Life

Abstract

The rise of cyber-physical metaverse systems (CPMSs) signals a new era where the physical and digital worlds are no longer separate but deeply intertwined. Unlike conventional virtual reality, CPMSs synchronize real-time data from sensors, machines, and human actions with immersive metaverse environments, creating a bidirectional bridge where changes in one world ripple into the other. This article adopts a science storytelling approach to explore how CPMSs are envisioned by researchers, industries, and communities. Through stories drawn from medicine, education, industry, and urban life, it highlights both the transformative potential  and  the  challenges  of  this  emerging  infrastructure.  Key  opportunities  include collaboration  without  boundaries,  reduced  risk in  critical  tasks,  and  sustainable  design through digital twins. Yet, obstacles such as latency, privacy, costs, equity, and trust must be addressed for CPMSs to gain social legitimacy. Ultimately, this article argues that the road to cyber-physical metaverse systems is not just about technical readiness but about societal acceptance, ethical governance, and human-centered design.