By: Cody Pallo
I am currently working on building a 3D Hub—a digital space that serves as both a conceptual model and a technical framework for exploring the potential of spatial web environments. This project has inspired a broader idea: utilizing A-Frame to construct a scalable, web-based cosmos, organized much like the original Yahoo taxonomies. In this vision, the web is no longer a flat space navigated by links and pages, but an immersive spatial experience, structured through a hierarchy of planets, cities, boroughs, streets, buildings, rooms, and portals (or doors). These digital constructs act as metaphors for organizing and exploring knowledge within a vast, interconnected universe.
The taxonomy serves as the backbone of this spatial web, allowing for both intuitive exploration and dynamic interaction. Much like how Yahoo’s early internet directory organized content, this model uses a similar structure to guide users spatially, enabling a more organic and immersive experience of the web. Content can be navigated as if moving through a city—traveling from one borough (a category) to another, entering buildings (sub-categories), walking down streets (specific topics), and accessing rooms (individual websites or datasets) through portals. The ultimate goal is to move beyond traditional interfaces and unlock new forms of interaction within a spatial, web-based environment.
Since 2016, I’ve been at the forefront of designing webXR and A-Frame solutions, contributing my skills as a product designer for companies in the Bay Area and Los Angeles. My work within the XR community has allowed me to refine this concept of spatial navigation, and I believe we are on the cusp of a breakthrough—a webXR cosmos that can be explored spatially, offering users a revolutionary way to interact with digital content. Unlike traditional web experiences, this cosmos can be experienced both offline and online, broadcast locally via WiFi using a device I developed in 2023 called "Space-amp." This device creates encapsulated, eBook-like files that package entire worlds of content into standalone, easily shared formats. This approach offers not only portability but also offline capabilities, freeing users from the limitations of continuous internet connectivity.
A crucial next step is developing an open-source browser to render this spatial web. This browser would organize data into structured blocks, pulling information from a JSON feed generated by web crawlers that fetch encapsulated A-Frame sites. The result would be a universe of knowledge that mirrors our own physical world—something that can be explored in a shared VR environment or experienced alone. Such a browser would function as a conduit for knowledge, allowing users to traverse digital spaces with the same ease they might explore a physical city. Moreover, it offers endless possibilities for customization, as social networks or individual users could skin their own versions of this cosmos, tailoring their experience to their needs.
Our initial work with the 3D Hub remains in its early stages—a basic white room featuring Earth at its center and 10 planets symbolizing core taxonomies. Users can interact with this cosmos by selecting a planet, dragging it with a pointer, and choosing a city. The room then transforms into a gateway to that city, which in turn becomes another room containing portals to various sites across the internet. This layered approach to spatial organization opens up new avenues for virtual exploration, discussion, and collaboration in VR.
The potential impact of this project is significant. In an era where the web is increasingly fragmented and algorithmically driven, this spatial web offers an alternative: a curated, navigable universe of knowledge that can foster deeper understanding and shared experiences. It has the potential to reshape how we interact with information, providing a more human-centered approach to digital navigation. The cosmos I envision would allow for both individual and collective exploration, making it a powerful tool for education, research, and social interaction.
To realize this vision, collaboration is essential. I’d like to explore the possibility of recruiting others within the XR community to develop and refine this project, particularly in creating the open-source browser and advancing the technical infrastructure. I believe this idea has immense potential—not just for technical innovation but for societal impact, creating a space where knowledge can be freely explored in a way that is both intuitive and immersive.
I’d love the opportunity to discuss this concept further and would be grateful for any insights you might have. A collaborative effort within the XR community could truly bring this idea to life, unlocking new possibilities for webXR and redefining the way we navigate the digital landscape.