Spatial Computing: The Next Frontier of Technology

Spatial computing is a term that describes the ability to interact with digital content that is integrated with the physical world.

It is a technology that has the potential to transform various industries and domains, such as entertainment, education, health care, manufacturing, and more.

In this blog post, we will explain what spatial computing is, how it works, what devices support it, and what the future holds for it.
What is spatial computing?

Spatial computing is a technology that enables computers to blend in with the physical world in a natural way.

You can experience it through devices such as headsets, glasses, or smartphones that display the real world and overlay digital content on top of it.

The digital content can be anything from images, videos, text, graphics, animations, or 3D models. The digital content can also interact with the real world and respond to your actions and inputs.

Spatial computing is different from other technologies that mix the digital and physical worlds, such as virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR).

VR creates a fully immersive environment that blocks out the real world. AR overlays digital content on top of the real world.

Spatial computing blends digital content with the real world in a way that makes it feel like it is part of it.

For example, with spatial computing, you can place a virtual piece of furniture in your living room to see how it would look before you buy it.

You can also move it around, resize it, or rotate it with your hands or voice. You can also see how other people interact with the same virtual object in real time.

Key takeaways

• Spatial computing is a technology that enables computers to blend in with the physical world in a natural way.
• It relies on several technologies, such as computer vision, sensor fusion, spatial mapping, eye tracking, hand tracking, voice input, and spatial audio.
• It can be experienced through devices such as headsets, glasses, or smartphones that display the real world and overlay digital content on top of it.
• It can enhance your productivity, creativity, entertainment, education, and communication in ways that are not possible with traditional devices.
• It can also create new jobs, skills, industries, and solutions for various domains and sectors.

How does spatial computing work?

Spatial computing relies on several technologies to mix the digital and physical worlds. Here are some of them:

Computer vision: This is the technology that processes data from cameras and other sensors to capture visual information about the environment, such as the position, orientation, and movement of objects.

Sensor fusion: This is the technology that combines data from multiple sensors, such as cameras, LiDARs, gyroscopes, accelerometers, and GPS, to create an accurate and comprehensive view of the environment.

Spatial mapping: This is the technology that creates a 3D model of the environment, which allows for more precise placement and manipulation of digital content.

Eye tracking: This is the technology that tracks your eye movements and gaze direction. This allows you to control the device with your eyes, such as selecting apps, scrolling through content, zooming in and out, and more.

Hand tracking: This is the technology that tracks your hand movements and gestures. This allows you to interact with digital content with your hands, such as grabbing, moving, resizing, rotating, tapping, swiping, pinching, and more.

Voice input: This is the technology that captures your voice commands and queries. This allows you to control the device with your voice, such as launching apps, searching for information, dictating text, making calls, and more.

Spatial audio: This is the technology that delivers spatial audio that matches the position and direction of the digital content in your space. 

This creates an immersive sound experience that makes you feel like you are part of the action.
What are some examples of spatial computing devices?

There are many devices that support spatial computing in different ways. Here are some examples:

Apple Vision Pro

This is a mixed reality headset that was announced by Apple in June 2023. It has two micro-OLED displays that deliver 23 million pixels each for each eye. 

It also has a dual-chip design that consists of an A15 Bionic chip and an M2 chip for graphics processing and spatial computing tasks. 

It also has eye tracking, hand tracking, voice input, spatial audio, and a 3D camera. 

It runs on visionOS , a new operating system based on iOS and macOS. It supports thousands of apps for work, entertainment, education, creativity, and more.

Microsoft HoloLens 2

This is a mixed reality headset that was released by Microsoft in November 2019. It has a holographic display system that projects light onto your eyes to create images. 

It also has an AI coprocessor for computer vision tasks. It also has eye tracking, hand tracking, voice input, spatial audio, and a depth sensor. 

It runs on Windows 10. It supports various apps for enterprise, education, health care, manufacturing, and more.

Magic Leap One

This is a mixed reality headset that was released by Magic Leap in August 2018. It has a light field display system that creates images that appear to be in the real world. 

It also has a spatial computing engine for computer vision tasks. It also has eye tracking, hand tracking, voice input, spatial audio, and a depth sensor. 

It runs on Lumin OS. It supports various apps for entertainment, gaming, art, and more.

Meta Quest Pro

This is a virtual reality headset that was released by Meta in October 2021. It has two OLED displays that deliver 3.5K resolution each for each eye. 

It also has a Snapdragon XR2 chip for graphics processing and spatial computing tasks. 

It features eye tracking, hand tracking, voice input, spatial audio, and four cameras. It runs on Android. It supports various apps for gaming, social, media, and more.

What is the future of spatial computing?

Spatial computing is a technology that is still evolving and improving. There are many challenges and opportunities for its development and adoption. Here are some of them:

Challenges

Some of the challenges of spatial computing are technical, such as improving the display quality, battery life, comfort, and affordability of the devices. 

Some of the challenges are social, such as addressing the privacy, security, ethical, and legal issues of using spatial computing in public and private spaces. 

Some of the challenges are cultural, such as creating content and experiences that are meaningful, engaging, and inclusive for diverse audiences.

Opportunities

Some of the opportunities of spatial computing are personal, such as enhancing your productivity, creativity, entertainment, education, and communication in ways that are not possible with traditional devices. 

Some of the opportunities are professional, such as creating new jobs, skills, and industries that leverage spatial computing for various domains and sectors. 

Some of the opportunities are societal, such as solving global problems, advancing scientific research, and improving human well-being with spatial computing.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Here are some of the most common questions and answers about spatial computing.

Q: What is the difference between spatial computing and mixed reality?

A: Spatial computing is a term that describes the ability to interact with digital content that is integrated with the physical world. 

Mixed reality is a type of spatial computing that combines elements of virtual reality and augmented reality. 

Virtual reality creates a fully immersive environment that blocks out the real world. 

Augmented reality overlays digital content on top of the real world. Mixed reality blends digital content with the real world in a way that makes it feel like it is part of it.

Q: How do I set up a spatial computing device?

A: To set up a spatial computing device, you need to follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer or developer of the device. 

You may need to download an app or software on your smartphone or computer to pair your device with it. 

You may also need to calibrate your device to your environment and preferences. You may also need to create an account or sign in to access some features or services.

Q: What apps can I use on a spatial computing device?

A: You can use various apps on a spatial computing device that are designed for spatial computing. 

These include apps from different categories, such as work, entertainment, education, creativity, and more. 

You can find these apps on the app store or platform of your device or through other sources. 

You can also create your own apps using tools and frameworks provided by the manufacturer or developer of your device or by third-party providers.

Q: How do I charge a spatial computing device?

A: To charge a spatial computing device, you need to use the charger or cable provided by the manufacturer or developer of the device. 

You may need to plug it into a power outlet or a USB port on your smartphone or computer. 

You may also need to turn off your device or put it in sleep mode while charging it. 

The battery life and charging time may vary depending on the device model and usage.

Q: How do I update a spatial computing device?

A: To update a spatial computing device, you need to connect it to Wi-Fi or cellular data and check for updates on your device’s settings or app. 

You may also receive notifications or prompts when updates are available. You may need to restart your device or app after updating it.

Q: How do I clean a spatial computing device?

A: To clean a spatial computing device, you need to use a soft, lint-free cloth to wipe the lenses, the enclosure, and the head band. 

You need to avoid using abrasive materials, liquids, or solvents that could damage the device. 

You also need to avoid exposing the device to extreme temperatures, humidity, or direct sunlight.

Q: How do I store a spatial computing device?

A: To store a spatial computing device, you need to use the case or bag provided by the manufacturer or developer of the device. 

You need to protect the device from dust and scratches. You also need to keep the device away from magnets, metal objects, or other devices that could interfere with its operation. 

You also need to avoid storing the device in places where it could be dropped, crushed, bent, or punctured.

Q: How do I troubleshoot a spatial computing device?

A: If you encounter any issues with a spatial computing device, you can try some of the following steps:

Restart the device by pressing and holding the power button for 10 seconds.

Reset the device by pressing and holding the power button and the volume down button for 10 seconds.

Update the device to the latest version of the software or app using your smartphone or computer.

Contact the manufacturer or developer of the device or visit their website for further assistance.

Conclusion

Spatial computing is a technology that enables computers to blend in with the physical world in a natural way. 

It is a technology that has the potential to transform various industries and domains, such as entertainment, education, health care, manufacturing, and more. 

It is a technology that can enhance your productivity, creativity, entertainment, education, and communication in ways that are not possible with traditional devices. 

It is a technology that can also create new jobs, skills, industries, and solutions for various domains and sectors.

If you are interested in learning more about spatial computing or trying it out for yourself, you can check out some of the devices that support it, such as Apple Vision Pro, Microsoft HoloLens 2, Magic Leap One, or Meta Quest Pro. 

You can also find various apps that are designed for spatial computing on their app stores or platforms. 

You can also create your own apps using tools and frameworks provided by them or by third-party providers.

We hope this blog post has given you a comprehensive overview of what spatial computing is, how it works, what devices support it, and what the future holds for it. 

If you have any questions or feedback, please leave a comment below. Thank you for reading!