Covariant 4-dimensional fuzzy spheres, matrix models and higher spin

We study in detail generalized 4-dimensional fuzzy spheres with twisted extra dimensions. These spheres can be viewed as $SO(5)$-equivariant projections of quantized coadjoint orbits of $SO(6)$. We show that they arise as solutions in Yang-Mills matrix models, which naturally leads to higher-spin gauge theories on $S^4$. Several types of embeddings in matrix models are found, including one with self-intersecting fuzzy extra dimensions $S^4 \times \mathcal{K}$, which is expected to entail 2+1 generations.