Not Just For Games …. Now Increasingly For Business --- Blurring The Lines Between Physical and Digital

Thoughts And Observations about Spatial Computing:

If the organizing principle of the internet is that information wants to be shared, and the organizing principle of the metaverse is that information wants to be experienced, spatial computing brings together the tools necessary to create those experiences.” Andrew Schwartz – U.S. technologist, Director of Metaverse Engineering at 耐克 .

“Deloitte identifies three components of spatial computing: physical (wearables and sensors), bridging (network infrastructure) and digital (interactive digital objects, holographs, avatars.” From a May 9, 2024, posting on Venture Beat by Taryn Plumb – U.S. journalist.

“Spatial computing is an evolving form of computing that blends our physical world and virtual experiences using a wide range of technologies, thus enabling humans to interact and communicate in new ways with each other and with machines, as well as giving machines the capabilities to navigate and understand our physical environment in new ways. … (S)patial computing is already starting to make an impact, including on communication and co-presence, manufacturing, gaming, human resources, media, sports and entertainment, and data visualization.” From an article by Cathy Hackl – U.S business executive, tech futurist, published in the Harvard Business Review .

“Spatial computing technologies help to bridge the virtual and physical worlds and are redefining the way people and organizations learn, collaborate, create, problem-solve and engage with digital information. From complex medical procedures involving doctors in multiple locations to experiential architectural design, virtual smart factories and immersive training simulations for high-risk tasks, spatial computing capabilities are enabling people to transcend physical boundaries … By harnessing the potential of spatial computing and immersive technologies, organizations have the opportunity to drive innovation, enhance productivity and create powerful learning experiences.” ?Posted May 10, 2024, on Chief Learning Officer Events & Awards by Roshan Bharwaney, Ed.D. – Singaporean talent and organizational advisor, Learning Portfolio Partner-Global Operations at Meta and Sheryl Sleeva, Ed.D, MBA – U.S. entrepreneur, educator, CEO of TeamCraftLabs LLC.

“Generative AI is currently top of mind for many … especially after the revolutionary impact GenAI had on the business world since last year (2023). On the other hand, Spatial Computing is in its evolutionary phase. ‘Spatial computing’ is not a term in widespread use, nor is it well-understood, and while many of us have been working in the field of spatial computing for years, its impact is just starting to be felt. For many in the industry this is a big year (2024) for spatial computing. … How businesses digitally transform using spatial computing will set them apart from the competition and set them up for success for generations who grow up in an increasingly blended virtual and physical world. Many out there confuse the term and equate it to AR, VR, mixed reality (MR), or extended reality (XR), but per the definition above, it's clear that these are not the only technologies that enable Spatial Computing. AI plays a critical role and is one of the most important underlying technologies that will help bring spatial computing to the masses. The future of spatial computing is poised for substantial growth, driven by key advancements. These include radical progress in optics, the miniaturization of sensors and chips, and the ability to authentically portray 3D images. These innovations, supported by significant breakthroughs in AI, will make spatial computing increasingly compelling for businesses on a grand scale in the years to come.”? Posted January 6, 2024, on Forbes by Cathy Hackl – U.S. business executive, tech futurist.

“Spatial computing is related to both augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). AR means overlaying digital content onto the real world, typically using a phone or smart glasses. While AR can enhance the user's perception of an environment, it doesn’t embed digital content in 3D space or provide a sense of depth. VR, on the other hand, creates a fully immersive digital environment that replaces the user's physical surroundings. And mixed reality (MR) employs a blend of AR and VR.” Posted January 19, 2024, on PCMag by Ben Dickson – U.K. software engineer, tech blogger.

“The concept of ‘spatial computing’ is widely attributed to researcher Simon Greenwold, who coined the term in a 2003 paper. Greenwold defines spatial computing as the ‘human interaction with a machine in which the machine retains and manipulates referents to real objects and spaces.’ A simplified way of saying this is that spatial computing melds a computer system’s user interface with the real world. Using a spatial computer—usually in the form of goggles—the wearer can still see the real world around them, but they can also see other elements overlayed on top of this real-world environment and interact with those elements in the physical space using their bodies, typically hands. … In VR (Virtual Reality), you are completely immersed in a virtual world and can see none of the real world around you. A VR device doesn’t know a couch is in front of you and doesn’t care. VR is ideal for things like video games.? … Augmented reality (AR), on the other hand, displays virtual elements on top of the real world. Whether you know it or not, you almost certainly already own an AR device: your smartphone. Tons of apps take advantage of AR technology to let you see data layered atop the real world through your smartphone’s screen and camera. These apps include navigation apps that display virtual arrows on your screen, so you know where to make the next left, or gaming apps like Pokémon Go, which let you hunt and find digital Pokémon in the real world. AR apps know more about where you are in relation to the real world than VR devices do because they utilize other tech in your smartphone like GPS and rear cameras. Still, with AR, you are forced to interact with those digital overlays via your smartphone’s screen. Though you can see the virtual Pokémon on your screen, if you reach out to where it looks to be situated in the real world, you wouldn’t be able to manipulate it in the physical space before you. And that’s where AR and spatial computing really differ. In spatial computing, you can interact with those virtual objects by simply using your hands in the physical space in front of you. Thus the ‘space’ in ‘spatial computing’ refers to the ability to act with virtual objects as if they were actually physically present in the real world.” ??Posted January 6, 2024, on Fast Company by Michael Grothaus – U.S. novelist, journalist.

“Many professionals in augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), extended reality (XR), and artificial intelligence (AI) have been working on spatial computing for years. In practice, the coming generation of spatial computing tools is arriving in the form of wearable headsets that have cameras, scanners, microphones, and other sensors built into the device, and make use of artificial intelligence, augmented and virtual reality technology, and the internet of things to create a more immersive relationship with computing. Users interface through hand gestures and finger movements, gaze tracking, and voice. GPS, Bluetooth, and other sensors make creating digital content with physical context possible. … The goal of all of this is to expand the canvas of our screens, allowing users to work, collaborate, and engage with data and applications in whole new ways. If it catches on, it would be an evolutionary technological shift away from static devices that must hang on our walls, sit on our desks, or rest in our hands to devices that start to fade into the background and allow us to go back to focusing on the physical space around us, albeit augmented.” From an article by Cathy Hackl – U.S business executive, tech futurist, published in the Harvard Business Review .

“Unlike traditional computing, which merges data and logic in two dimensions, Spatial Computing integrates data, logic, and 3D contextualized information to more accurately connect the physical and digital worlds. This is made possible through the use of various data sources such as IoT sensors, 3D models, and advanced analytics, as well as 3D location data enabled by computer vision, volumetric cameras, and similar technologies. … (Edge Computing) involves processing data at the point of origin rather than sending it to a central data center. In the context of Spatial Computing, Edge Computing allows for faster processing and analysis of spatial data right where it is collected, leading to improved real-time responses and efficiency. … (Computer Vision) plays a crucial role in Spatial Computing by enabling the interpretation and understanding of image and video content, not just capturing images. … In Spatial Computing, a machine combines sensory data from various sensors, such as cameras or GPS, using sensor fusion technologies. This combination and integration of different sensor data allow the system to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the environment and make more precise analyses and decisions. … (T)echnology allows machines to create accurate digital representations of real environments in the form of point clouds using data captured by cameras or sensors. A Digital Twin serves as a virtual copy or representation of a physical entity or environment, enabling a variety of applications in areas such as simulation, analysis, and optimization.”? From a report issued by IBM .

“Spatial computing is about to change not just the course of technology innovation, but also the ways people work and live. Whereas desktop and mobile used screens as portals to the digital world, spatial will finally combine our disparate realities, fusing digital and physical together. Apps built for this medium will let people immerse themselves in digital worlds with a physical sense of space, or layer content on top of their physical surroundings. … Some enterprises are holding off, content to say metaverse hype outpaced technology maturity. But others are racing ahead, building the technology capabilities. Meta has been rapidly developing VR and AR products, and introduced Codex Avatars, which use AI and smartphone cameras to create photorealistic avatars. Epic’s RealityScan App lets people scan 3D objects in the physical world with just their phone and turn them into 3D virtual assets. Underlying it all, advancing technologies like generative AI continue to make it faster and cheaper to build spatial environments and experiences. And, perhaps quietly, these technologies are already being proven out in industrial applications. Digital twins for manufacturing, the growth of VR/AR in training and remote operation, and the establishment of collaborative design environments are all already having practical – and valuable – impacts on industry. The truth is that new mediums don’t come very often, and when they do, the uptake is slow. But the payoff for diving in early is nearly immeasurable. 92% of executives agree their organization plans to create a competitive advantage leveraging spatial computing. … Spatial computing is not coming to replace desktop or mobile computing, but it is becoming an important piece of the computing fabric that makes up enterprise IT strategy. We’ve already seen the early stages. Digital twins make more sense when you walk through them. Training is more impactful when you can live the experience rather than watch a video. While these were often standalone pilots, a careful consideration of the unique advantages of spatial computing can help shape and guide enterprise strategy. The market is still maturing, but it is quickly becoming clear that spatial apps thrive when applied in three ways: conveying large volumes of complex information; giving users agency over their experience; and, perhaps counterintuitively, allowing us to augment physical spaces. … (Users) can augment, enhance, and extend physical places without materially changing them. Imagine a future office where physical monitors, projectors, and displays are replaced by spatial computers and apps. People will have the flexibility to design simpler spaces, lowering overhead costs, and to change their surroundings more easily.” From a report issued by 埃森哲 .

“For companies, there are currently four primary areas of spatial computing worth considering to improve productivity and growth—although, as with any emerging technology, others will likely be developed over time. Process optimization: Whether enabling designs to be tested as digital twins or offering real-time advice through augmented reality overlays, spatial computing interfaces can help users identify more effective interactions with machines, environments, and people in the real world. Brand and community engagement: With in-game advertising and digital-asset sales increasing, marketing departments are increasingly looking to virtual environments to reach new audiences in new ways. Employee experience: Immersive environments have a strong track record of boosting engagement and focus, as well as helping with team-building, day-to-day working, and training. … From expansion onto new customer-facing platforms to enabling collaboration and co-creation, spatial computing is at the heart of new income streams. … Although PwC studies have shown that some VR training can quadruple learning speeds and nearly triple learners’ confidence, successful adoption is less about the technology itself and more about how you use it. Given the breadth of the potential business use cases of spatial computing, ‘it’s important to try to go beyond thinking about two-dimensional experiences and how they could be better in 3D,’ explains Jeremy Dalton, a director in PwC US’s customer transformation practice who is focused on metaverse-related technologies, ‘because the real opportunity is for radical reinvention of ways of working, not just optimization or enhancement.’? Use spatial computing simply to enhance an existing process, and given the current high cost of hardware and development, it may be difficult to demonstrate ROI. Think beyond current ways of working, and the potential gains could be exponential—assuming your target audiences are willing to try something new. As with any emerging technology, there are some challenges to consider when using spatial computing, including finding ways to verify identity and asset ownership, clamping down on misinformation, and rethinking data and security strategies, systems, and processes. And because the potential for some users to experience nausea and discomfort while using VR headsets has been well documented, these kinds of interfaces may not work for everyone. Such considerations are part of the reason that some uncertainty remains about the speed of adoption of these technologies, which means investing in them could be a risk in itself. 'The technology and consumer engagement is not at a point at which we’d recommend anyone to invest a big chunk of their R&D or innovation or marketing budget on experimenting with it,' says Roberto Hernandez, PwC’s Global Metaverse Leader and PwC US Chief Innovation Officer. 'But testing the waters with small investments and trials could prove a great use of your money.' … Consumer-facing and innovation-focused leaders and teams— especially the CIO, CTO, CISO, and CMO, as well as R&D and marketing and sales teams—should be keeping an eye on spatial computing and related technologies as they develop. The technology could become relevant to all industries, but immediate use cases can be found in TMT, hospitality and leisure, engineering and construction, industrial manufacturing, automotive, consumer markets, and aerospace, defense, and security.” From the February 7, 2024, issue of s+b (Tech Agenda) a 普华永道 publication.?

“Deloitte challenges the idea that spatial computing is just a passing trend, despite lackluster responses to recent wearable technologies like the Apple Vision Pro. While reviews have been mixed, Deloitte argues that spatial computing, which merges physical and digital worlds, will be the future of interaction. According to Deloitte’s chief futurist, Mike Bechtel, spatial computing aims to enhance reality rather than escape it, enriching lived experiences by overlaying digital elements. Despite current hardware limitations, Deloitte sees a promising future for spatial computing. Spatial computing has potential to transform productivity by blending digital elements into our physical environment. With products already integrating this technology, daily tasks are becoming more intuitive, hinting at a future where technology enhances our lives in futuristic ways. … This technology has the potential to revolutionize industrial operations, especially for frontline workers in factories, worksites, and warehouses. It does this by providing enhanced dimensional context for enterprise actions and interactions through digital augmentation. … Spatial computing works differently from traditional computing, which operates in two dimensions. It combines 3D-contextualised information, data, and logic to merge the digital and physical worlds more accurately. This is achieved using various data sources like IoT sensors, sophisticated analytics, and 3D models. The data is contextualized for a three-dimensional world using computer vision, volumetric cameras, and other technologies. This integration enables virtual and physical environments to seamlessly interact, allowing digital objects to coexist and interact with the real world. This integration has many applications, including real-time collaboration, improved training, enhanced customer service, increased productivity, cost reduction, and sustainability improvements.” Posted May 13, 2024, on Tech Round by Dominique Roberts – U.K./U.S. filmmaker, entrepreneur, co-founded the film production company Paper Starship Studios , co-founder of Code Your Chances , a nonprofit with a mission to inspire a new generation of diverse leaders in computer science by introducing young girls to the creative uses of coding.

“(The) Metaverse is not only a place to game. Future worlds will be photorealistic, obey the laws of physics, and be inhabited by human avatars and AI beings. We will create a future in these metaverses before actually downloading the blueprints … in the physical world.” Jensen Huang – U.S. businessman, electrical engineer, co-founder, president and CEO of NVIDIA .

“With the metaverse, we are transitioning from viewing a 2D world looking at the Internet to living inside the Internet in a 3D world.” Dave Waters – U.K. academic, Retired Professor at 英国牛津大学 .

“By the end of this decade, computers will disappear as distinct physical objects, with displays built in our eyeglasses, and electronics woven in our clothing, providing full-immersion visual virtual reality.” Ray Kurzweil – U.S. computer scientist, author, inventor, futurist, involved in fields such as optical character recognition, text-to-speech synthesis, speech recognition technology and electronic keyboard instruments.

“We are not migrating to VR and AR merely because they are a fun, new technology, but because humans have binocular vision with depth perception, and these are the only interfaces that match our biology. They will increasingly become more useful, enabling us to perform more efficient and more effective interactions in the world, driven by the biology of the human brain and nervous system.” Gabriel René – U.S. technologist, entrepreneur, author, CEO at VERSES , Executive Director of the Spatial Web Foundation . ?

“Automated warehouse operations are cutting-edge examples of spatial computing. The “Amazon effect”, which drives e-commerce sales and consumer expectation for next day delivery, has transformed retail warehouses. … The Autonomous Guided Vehicles (AGV) in these autonomous operations are constantly processing location, relative location, and speed. … Spatial computing across this dynamic 3D environment manages and optimizes a fleet of AGVs for autonomous fulfilment, utilizing their relative location to one another, proximity to the target goods, and destination points to ultimately get the right good to right place in the most efficient manner possible. … . Seventy-one percent of manufacturers say manual time and motion studies are important for this workforce optimization, yet 43% are not confident in the data they yield. … With fully three-quarters of the global workforce doing front-line work and investments in facilities and equipment that can involve billions of dollars, the opportunity for optimizing business processes is enormous. While still early days, spatial computing will come into purview for industrial companies as the enabling technologies like IoT, AR/MR, and AI become more widely adopted and new sources of location data are captured and utilized.” Valentin Heun – U.S. technologist, VP of Innovation Engineering at 美国参数技术公司 .

“(Now, thanks to technology) a whole new layer of potential collaboration and connection (has been enabled). Fashion brands can exist within game spaces, music performances can be experienced and enhanced by XR, films can be created in any virtual location, and sports experienced through the eyes of the player.” Rupert Daniels – U.K. businessman, Director, Services and Skills at the UK Department for Business and Trade.

“Manufacturing was one of the first industries to embrace spatial computing. Several already use spatial devices to remotely assist workers, display virtual work instructions, and capture soft knowledge before operators retire. From assembling parts on the line to quality assurance and assisting operators, spatial computing has measured success. Lockheed Martin, an American aerospace company, achieved a?93% reduction in costs ?on one part of the manufacturing process for the Orion space vehicle when they implemented augmented reality aids. What once took eight shifts of eight hours each was reduced to six hours via Microsoft HoloLens and Scope AR’s Worklink.” ?From an article by Cathy Hackl – U.S business executive, tech futurist, published in the Harvard Business Review .

“In the manufacturing industry, Spatial Computing is used to implement Augmented Reality (AR) in production processes. Employees can use AR glasses to receive digital instructions and visual aids in real-time, leading to improved efficiency, error reduction, and training opportunities. For example, Microsoft offers AR Guides to their customers to increase productivity, solve problems, or maximize efficiency.” From a report issued by IBM .

“The migration toward smart factories and the industrial metaverse leveraging spatial computing is transforming manufacturing. The digital twin concept (virtual replicas of physical equipment and assets) is becoming increasingly important for factory planning and optimization, predictive maintenance, and real-time monitoring and control. AR is used to assist technicians and maintenance teams by overlaying instructions on machinery or parts, improving production and reducing equipment downtime. VR is being used for product design, prototyping and assembly processes, enabling multi-national teams to collaborate on 3D models remotely.”?? Posted May 10, 2024 on Chief Learning Officer Events & Awards by Roshan Bharwaney, Ed.D. - Singapore-based global operations, talent and organizational development professional for Meta and Sheryl Sleeva, Ed.D, MBA – U.S. executive leader, educator, CEO of TeamCraftLabs .

“Companies use Spatial Computing-technologies to improve the flow of goods and materials in their supply chains. By integrating location data, sensors, and real-time analytics, they can track shipments, optimize routes, and efficiently manage inventory.”? From a report issued by IBM .

“Recruiting and HR is another area that has been using spatial computing. The Dan Marino Foundation is an example of a nonprofit that has used spatial computing to help neurodivergent students prepare for an interview. Instead of using poorly produced videos and outdated slide decks, they turned to spatial computing to help neurodivergent job candidates prepare for interviews. The scenarios the candidates experienced ranged from friendly to hostile interviewers, and during the process, educators were able to track candidates’ responses, eye contact, body language, and engagement during the interview training. Plus, the students were able to practice in the physical world seeing a virtual interviewer in front of them. It allowed them to practice the interview process, work on eye contact, and deliver their answers so that when they got to the job interview with a human interviewer, some of their social anxiety might be reduced and they would be better prepared. Close to 72% of the foundation’s neurodivergent students who tried this training found employment. Compare that to national averages that indicate that more than 80% of adults with autism are unemployed.” From an article by Cathy Hackl – U.S business executive, tech futurist, published in the Harvard Business Review .

“(The Health Care) sector has been among the most avid early adopters of spatial computing applications across multiple practice areas including surgical planning and simulation, medical consultation, physical therapy, pain management, medical imaging and patient education. Detailed 3D visualizations of anatomical models along with spatial mapping facilitate collaborative physician consultations, enabling them to overlay data onto the patient’s body during procedures with precision. AR enables enhanced patient care by providing real-time information during medical procedures, while VR plays a vital role in medical training, allowing students to practice surgeries and procedures in a risk-free environment.”? Posted May 10, 2024 on Chief Learning Officer Events & Awards by Roshan Bharwaney, Ed.D. - Singapore-based global operations, talent and organizational development professional for Meta and Sheryl Sleeva, Ed.D, MBA – U.S. executive leader, educator, CEO of TeamCraftLabs .

“Virtual and augmented reality platforms are increasingly used to supplement medical training. Immersive simulations allow doctors, nurses and other providers to not only practice procedures but also experience the strong emotions that critical care situations can trigger.? ‘A student can, for example, have a visceral sense of what a code blue situation feels like,’ Lichtenstein explains. ‘There are psychological and emotional results of spatial computing that, if leveraged correctly, can help people learn in a way they couldn’t with any other technology,’ says Dr. Brennan Spiegel, director of health services research for Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles and a 2023 HealthTech influencer. … ‘If you think about the strongest memories from your own life, they’re usually tied to an emotion. People learn best from experiences they can imagine in their heads.’? …. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 20 percent of U.S. adults have a mental illness, and workforce data shows that more than half of Americans live in areas with a shortage of mental health providers. Researchers are exploring how spatial computing can be used with artificial intelligence to expand access to mental and behavioral health services and help providers treat more patients. … Rather than having data spread over multiple screens, a spatial computing device can collect all of the information in one space. Stanford Medicine recently deployed the Apple Vision Pro in this manner during a heart procedure. The doctor used a virtual monitor to zoom in on each piece of data he needed without having to look away from the patient. ‘The device constantly renders all the information on the periphery of the clinician’s point of view, and they use just their eyes to bring the data they need front and center,’ explains Gostine, who spoke with the Stanford team about the procedure. In addition to its clinical uses, Gostine says, this type of condensed data visualization can help hospital operations become more efficient. ‘Right now, hospitals build costly command centers with people interpreting data from hundreds of screens. That could be migrated to smaller, distributed command centers where spatial computing technology constantly surfaces information that needs to be acted on,’ he says. … Spatial computing technology is being used to enhance the ways that clinicians access and interact with medical records. Epic, which is partnering with Sharp HealthCare on spatial computing efforts, recently launched the first electronic health record app for the Apple Vision Pro.? ‘Right now, we pull the information into a virtual reality space,’ Lichtenstein explains. ‘Down the road, maybe we can use augmented reality to superimpose data in the real world.’” From a May 9, 2024, posting on Venture Beat by Taryn Plumb – U.S. journalist.

“In surgery, Spatial Computing enables doctors and medical staff to plan complex operations in advance by presenting patient data like MRIs as 3D data in real space. Integrating imaging technologies like MRI and CT scans allows surgeons to visualize anatomical structures in detail and identify potential challenges or risks before the actual procedure. This leads to more precise planning and execution of surgeries, thereby improving success rates and reducing complications.” From a report issued by IBM .

“The role of spatial computing technology is growing quickly in healthcare. Innovative solutions for mental health treatment, 3D imaging and clinical training have already been deployed at major medical centers, with the Apple Vision Pro being the most common device used to operate spatial computing apps. …? Spatial computing combines physical and digital realities into one space. Rather than reading information on a two-dimensional screen — a phone or laptop, for example — spatial computing technology allows people to process and interact with data in a 3D format. Virtual, augmented and mixed reality are all forms of spatial computing.”? From a May 9, 2024, posting on Venture Beat by Taryn Plumb – U.S. journalist.

“Spatial computing can provide new ways to diagnose, treat, and monitor patients. For example, doctors could use spatial computing to overlay virtual screens and diagnostic information onto the real world, helping them to make more informed decisions. Or, a doctor could see a patient’s medical-imaging scans via a headset while they’re operating on that patient. Spatial computing could also help patients with physical or cognitive impairments to regain their independence by providing them with virtual assistants or rehabilitation exercises that are tailored to their needs.”? Posted on PCMag on January 19, 2024, by Ben Dickson – U.K. software engineer, blogger.

“In surgery, Spatial Computing enables doctors and medical staff to plan complex operations in advance by presenting patient data like MRIs as 3D data in real space. Integrating imaging technologies like MRI and CT scans allows surgeons to visualize anatomical structures in detail and identify potential challenges or risks before the actual procedure. This leads to more precise planning and execution of surgeries, thereby improving success rates and reducing complications.” From a report issued by IBM .

“Designers and engineers already use advanced 3D modeling programs to conceptualize their products. Now, with spatial computers, those 3D models can move from the flat 2D monitor to the real world around them. For example, an automotive designer can walk around the virtual version of her concept car right in her own garage, seeing if the car’s slopes and angles look as appealing in real life as they do in her CAD drawings.” ? Posted on Fast Company on January 6, 2024, by Michael Grothaus – U.S. novelist.

“Retailers and marketing companies use Spatial Computing to create location-based advertising and personalized offers. By analyzing customer movements and behaviors in physical stores, they can target promotions to specific demographics.” From a report issued by IBM .

“Data from Newzoo estimates that there are approximately 2.7 billion gamers around the world — meaning that one in every three people on the planet identifies as a gamer. The gaming industry is worth more than the movie and music industry combined. A progression from gaming on consoles, tablets, or mobiles is a natural progression for spatial computing.” From an article by Cathy Hackl – U.S business executive, tech futurist, published in the Harvard Business Review .

“While the entertainment industry has long used spatial computing elements to create dynamic customer experiences, these technologies are also being applied in their workplaces. Spatial computing enables virtual production techniques that blend physical sets with digital environments, reducing the need for extensive post-production work as well as training simulations, design, prototyping, and testing. … The origins of what we now call spatial computing have focused on both workplace and consumer applications, stemming from early innovations in aerospace engineering as well as electronic gaming and entertainment. The aerospace industry created flight simulators for pilot training, followed by the development of critical interfaces for navigation, spatial awareness, and human factor design to support the pilot experience in flight. The gaming and entertainment industries have been leaders in the development of 3D graphics, immersion technologies and social interaction features in virtual environments. As a result of these advancements, today there are many different spatial computing applications and hardware available for both commercial and consumer use. Given the complexity of these technologies and their continued evolution, a consensus has yet to be reached regarding market potential and adoption rates. That said, based on 2023 data, several experts have estimated the spatial computing market size to range between 100 to 120 billion dollars, growing at a rate of 20 percent per year over the next 10 years. The development of consumer-oriented headsets and AR, MR and VR software at more affordable price points has raised awareness and spurred adoption. Increasingly, many organizations are making spatial computing an integral part of their technology roadmaps and their next phase of digital transformation.”? Posted May 10, 2024, on Chief Learning Officer Events & Awards by Roshan Bharwaney, Ed.D. - Singapore-based global operations, talent and organizational development professional for Meta and Sheryl Sleeva, Ed.D, MBA – U.S. executive leader, educator, CEO of TeamCraftLabs .

“The integration of Spatial Computing in interior design offers new possibilities for visualizing and planning spaces. Technologies like augmented reality enable users to project virtual representations of furniture and decor into their actual environments, facilitating a more informed and creative design process. This approach allows for a realistic preview of design choices in real contexts, enhancing the ability to assess aesthetics, function, and spatial compatibility without the need for physical prototypes. A notable example of this in practice is IKEA’s application, IKEA Place, which allows users to visualize how IKEA’s furniture would fit and look in their own spaces, illustrating the practical application of Spatial Computing in enhancing interior design.”? From a report issued by IBM .

“Architects and engineers use VR to visualize buildings, products, and prototypes, enabling them to walk through virtual spaces, identify design flaws and iterate quickly. VR has enabled collaborative design sessions to become more productive and efficient by enabling architects and developers to explore proposed structures in immersive 3D, even doing so remotely. AR can be used to overlay architectural plans onto construction sites to assist building teams and inspectors in powerful new ways.”? Posted May 10, 2024, on Chief Learning Officer Events & Awards by Roshan Bharwaney, Ed.D. - Singapore-based global operations, talent and organizational development professional for Meta and Sheryl Sleeva, Ed.D, MBA – U.S. executive leader, educator, CEO of TeamCraftLabs .

“Spatial Computing is used to create smart buildings that automatically optimize resources such as lighting, heating, and air conditioning. Integrating sensors and data analytics allows companies to improve energy efficiency, reduce operational costs, and enhance the work environment for employees.” From a report issued by IBM .

“Spatial computing can enable architects to create, visualize, and modify designs in the real world without the need for physical prototypes. This can save time and cost and allow for more iterative design processes. Designers can also use spatial computing to create virtual prototypes of products and test their functionality and ergonomics in different physical settings.”? Posted on PCMag on January 19, 2024, by Ben Dickson – U.K. software engineer, blogger.

“Cities and municipalities use Spatial Computing to plan and optimize urban spaces. Analyzing traffic flows, demographic data, and urban infrastructures, they can make informed decisions to improve quality of life, address traffic issues, and promote sustainable development.”? From a report issued by IBM .

“Organizations … are discovering that the unique technological characteristics of spatial computing offer important benefits that have helped them to identify specific use cases, prioritize investment and target implementations. The key benefits of spatial computing include: Design and prototyping. Spatial computing technologies enable designers and engineers to create and test different concepts, materials, and layouts in real time, leading to more informed design decisions and allowing teams to visualize and manipulate 3D models in virtual environments, facilitating rapid prototyping and iteration.? Enhanced collaboration. Immersive technologies enable geographically dispersed teams to collaborate in shared virtual spaces, fostering real-time communication and interaction in new experiential ways. Team members using spatial computing-enabled tools can work together on experience-based projects, soliciting feedback and generating ideas across physical locations. Improved productivity. Spatial computing enables technicians to access interactive digital manuals and guides overlaid onto physical equipment, facilitating maintenance and repair tasks by providing real-time guidance and troubleshooting assistance. Immersive interactive tools for data visualization, communication and task management can streamline complex workflows and reduce time-consuming tasks.? Experiential training, onboarding and skill development. VR, AR and MR-based training programs enhance learning retention and engagement by providing hands-on experiences that mimic real-world situations. Immersive technologies provide realistic simulations for training purposes, allowing employees to practice tasks and scenarios in a safe and controlled environment. Powerful data visualization and analysis capabilities. Spatial technologies transform data and complex information by presenting it in immersive, interactive formats that can be analyzed in new ways. Teams can explore datasets in 3D spaces, uncover new patterns and gain insights that may not be apparent in traditional charts or graphs, improving decision-making and strategy development.? Increased safety in hazardous environments. Spatial computing can be used to simulate hazardous work environments, allowing employees to undergo experiential training in safe virtual settings, helping reduce accidents and injuries. Employees can practice emergency procedures, such as fire drills or first aid in realistic virtual environments, improving their readiness and response in actual emergencies.”? Posted May 10, 2024, on Chief Learning Officer Events & Awards by Roshan Bharwaney, Ed.D. - Singapore-based global operations, talent and organizational development professional for Meta and Sheryl Sleeva, Ed.D, MBA – U.S. executive leader, educator, CEO of TeamCraftLabs .

“From logistics and retail to healthcare and education, Spatial Computing opens up new possibilities for integrating digital and physical data. Businesses and organizations can leverage this technology to refine their workflows, enhance efficiency, and develop innovative solutions. … Despite the impressive benefits, Spatial Computing faces challenges such as integration into existing IT infrastructures, privacy concerns, and the need for high computational power. Companies address these challenges by adopting modular software architectures, investing in privacy measures, and utilizing Edge Computing to minimize latency and ensure a seamless user experience.” From a report issued by IBM .

“One of the biggest challenges facing the field is the cost of hardware. The best spatial-computing devices cost thousands of dollars and are not accessible to everyone. That’s why they have yet to make their dent in the consumer space and have found limited success in niche enterprise applications where the boost in productivity justifies the cost. In addition, the weight of the headsets, low resolution, and lack of comfort have been major concerns, as they can cause fatigue and motion sickness during extended use. Battery life is also a limiting factor: Most devices' batteries last just a few hours and require frequent charging. But companies are making progress in many of these areas. And as other industries have shown, the cost of sensors, displays, and hardware will gradually decrease as the field evolves and becomes more competitive.” Posted on PCMag on January 19, 2024, by Ben Dickson – U.K. software engineer, blogger.

“New technologies are letting engineers design experiences that address all types of senses, like touch, smell and sound. In past VR attempts, adding haptics, or touch, could be bulky or underwhelming. But University of Chicago researchers recently proposed using electrodes to better mimic touch.? … Spatial computing is not coming to replace desktop or mobile computing, but it is becoming an important piece of the computing fabric that makes up enterprise IT strategy. We’ve already seen the early stages. Digital twins make more sense when you walk through them. Training is more impactful when you can live the experience rather than watch a video. While these were often standalone pilots, a careful consideration of the unique advantages of spatial computing can help shape and guide enterprise strategy. The market is still maturing, but it is quickly becoming clear that spatial apps thrive when applied in three ways: conveying large volumes of complex information; giving users agency over their experience; and, perhaps counterintuitively, allowing us to augment physical spaces. When it comes to conveying complex information, the advantage of the spatial medium over the alternatives is probably clearest. Since a space can let users move and act naturally, information can be conveyed in more dynamic, immersive ways. We’ve already seen it in action. Some of the earliest examples of successful spatial apps were industrial digital twins, virtual training scenarios, or real-time remote assistance. The second advantage spatial has over older mediums is the ability to give users agency to shape their in-app experiences. Because spatial computing lets us build digital experiences that embody a physical sense of space, we can design experiences that give users more flexibility to move and explore. Lastly, spatial applications bring advantages to physical spaces; they can augment, enhance, and extend physical places without materially changing them. Imagine a future office where physical monitors, projectors, and displays are replaced by spatial computers and apps. People will have the flexibility to design simpler spaces, lowering overhead costs, and to change their surroundings more easily.” From a report issued by 埃森哲 .

“Companies will need to take spatial computing seriously, maybe not today, but in the next decade, because it will change how people interact, especially as spatial computing starts to come into our lives, much in the way that phones came into our lives and changed the way we interacted with each other and with our work. It has the potential to fundamentally change how people think about computing, from collaboration between co-workers, to supporting creativity and optimizing business processes. The world is continually transforming into a blended physical and virtual one. Younger generations are growing up used to digital assistants, online video games, and augmented social media. They’re the next generation of customers, employees, and owners. Investing in spatial computing not only assists with business’ pain points today but sets them up for the future. Employees uplevel their work when technology adapts to make sense for the person, not the person needing to make sense of the technology. … We are still in the early stages spatial computing. Still, all signals point to a transformation as powerful as the one we experienced with the coming of the internet and the advent of the mobile phone. We are in the very early days of how these new interfaces that will change business and society in the years to come.” From an article by Cathy Hackl – U.S business executive, tech futurist, published in the Harvard Business Review .

“Looking to the future, the next big step will be for the very concept of the ‘device’ to fade away” Sundar Pichai – Indian born/U.S. business executive, chief executive officer of Alphabet Inc. and its subsidiary 谷歌 .

“One of the major spatial computing trends we’ll see in the years ahead revolves around developing more advanced hardware. This includes the development of more comfortable, lightweight, and powerful wearable headsets. …? Products like the (Apple) Vision Pro combine virtual and mixed reality experiences in a single, adjustable headset to give users new ways of interacting with digital content. It’s not just wearable hardware that’s evolving, either. Increased interest in spatial computing is leading to the development of more advanced sensors for hand/eye tracking and IoT connectivity. Plus, we’re seeing a rise in the development of XR-focused chips designed to power spatial computing systems. Even the cameras and processors in these innovative tools are becoming smaller and more powerful. … One of the core benefits of spatial computing is that it allows users to interact with computer systems and content more naturally. To do this, the ecosystem uses sensors to track movement in various ways. We’ve already seen the impact of evolving hand and eye-tracking tools in the market. These solutions can support everything from hands-free interaction with content to foveated rendering. … When examining spatial computing trends, it’s worth remembering that it isn’t a single technology. It’s a term that refers to a wide range of solutions that improve our interactions and experiences with machines. Many of these solutions, from AI to XR software, require significant computing power. To minimize lag and ensure the accessibility of spatial experiences, companies are investing in more advanced connectivity options. … Like many XR concepts, spatial computing was initially seen primarily as a solution for the entertainment and gaming landscape. However, as companies continue to invest in immersive technologies for collaboration, creativity, and productivity, that’s beginning to change. Apps designed to create spatial workspaces for remote and hybrid teams are becoming more advanced. Spatial computing technologies are also becoming an essential component of the industrial metaverse and manufacturing industries. In these landscapes, spatial computing tools can give employees real-time guidance on the field, helping them to rapidly repair products and machines through AR content mapped to specific components. The same tools can help power immersive product development through digital twins and IoT. There are even companies using spatial computing to assist with boosting the success rate of surgeries in the medical space. … While there’s more to spatial computing than virtual reality, many technologies focus on immersing users within a specific experience or situation. As a result, some of the top spatial computing trends are linked to the rise of immersive solutions. For instance, spatial audio is becoming more common in the modern landscape. … Another immersive technology relevant to the world of spatial computing is haptic wearables. Haptic gloves, body suits, and similar tools simulate the feeling of actually touching a digital object. Although these solutions have seen limited adoption in recent years, that could change as new vendors enter the market with more affordable options.” Posted on December 1, 2023, on XR Today by Rebekah Carter – U.K. journalist.

“I feel that Augmented reality is perhaps the ultimate computer.” Satya Nadella – U.S. business executive, Chairman and CEO at 微软 .

“You’re limited only by your imagination, but just so long as you don’t treat it as something to be feared or revered.” Mike Bechtel – U.S. inventor, investor, futurist, a managing director with 德勤 , leading the firm's research of novel and experimental technologies and business models.

“I’m excited about AR because… AR allows individuals to be present in the world but hopefully allows an improvement on what’s happening presently. Most people don’t want to lock themselves out from the world. … I do think that a significant portion of the population of developed countries, and eventually all countries, will have AR experiences every day, almost like eating three meals a day. It will become that much a part of you. … Think back to 2008, when the App Store went live. There was the initial round of apps and people looked at them and said, ‘this is not anything, mobile apps are not going to take off’. And then step by step things start to move. And it is sort of a curve, it was just exponential — and now you couldn’t imagine your life without apps. AR is like that. It will be that dramatic. …? AR is going to take a while because there are some really hard technology challenges there. But it will happen, it will happen in a big way, and we will wonder when it does, how we ever lived without it. Like we wonder how we lived without our phone today.”? Tim Cook – U.S. business executive, chief executive officer of 苹果 .

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