Spatial Computing is touted to be the next form of evolution in the computing landscape post Desktops, Laptops & Smartphones. It is one of the most discussed topics in the computing world.
The term Spatial Computing was defined by MIT Media Lab alumni Simon Greenwold in his futuristic thesis in 2003. In his thesis, he described Spatial Computing as the human interaction with a machine in which the machine retains and manipulates referents to real objects and spaces . He described this as an essential component in making our machines complete partners in our work and play.
Even though, his thesis was published in 2003 close to couple of decades now, we weren’t able to produce any meaningful outcome until a couple of years. This phenomenon was largely due to the complementary technological counterparts present in making Spatial Computing mainstream. Even then, this has been primarily adopted only in some of the leading Manufacturing Houses & Industries across the Globe. It could be another good 3 - 5 years before they become mainstream in the consumer segment.
In simpler terms, Spatial Computing can be utilized and occur in two scenarios, it lets us make use of the actual physical space or transports us to a virtual environment without any visual contact with the physical world. In both the cases, the primary factor is the User’s ability to interact directly with the computing objects and make use of them to their benefit. Sometimes this situation can prevail in a third scenario which combines both the abilities of scenario 1 & 2 as well.
Spatial Computing forms the greater umbrella of it’s computing beings like Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR) & Mixed Reality (MR). Thanks to Covid, most of these terminologies & technological factors are familiar to almost all of us.
In the interest of those who haven’t caught up with this frenzy, a quick note on these technologies.
Virtual Reality (VR) - Virtual Reality lets the users transport to an artificially created computing world through the Virtual Reality Headsets & Glasses, wherein it will block any visual contact with the physical world. This helps the users gain an immersive experience of being there in that virtual world.
Augmented Reality (AR) - Unlike VR, Augmented reality doesn’t block the visual contact with the physical world, but let’s the users super impose artificially created computer objects through their smartphone cameras or Augmented Reality Glasses.
Mixed Reality (MR) - Mixed Reality is a hybrid of both the models and is a mixture of physical and digital world. It can simultaneously work on both the virtual and physical world, helping the users unlock natural human, computer and virtual environment interactions.
Apart from these primaries, there are other components and complementary technological aspects which paves way for the mainstream adoption of Spatial Computing.
One other important factors in making Spatial Computing a consumer mainstream is the advancement in Spatial Audio or 3D Audio. We will discuss more on Spatial Audio in our forthcoming editions.
Spatial Computing has already made its in roads significantly in the Enterprise Segment of our world. There are a lot of Fortune 500 companies, Multi Billion Tech Giants, Manufacturing Behemoths & Industrial Tycoons making use of Spatial Computing. As a matter of fact, the Business to Business end of the world is what’s driving the Spatial Computing and it’s technological subsidiaries.
Some real life use case implementations of this technology are listed below:
Manufacturing & Industrial Companies use these technologies for Training & Engaging their workforce, Repair & Maintenance Activities, Research & Development Activities, Ensuring Safety, Remote Operations & Real Time Data Analysis to name a few.
Aerospace & Aviation Industry has been one other important evangelist of the Spatial Computing counterparts, which has been using these technologies widely into operations like R & D, Product Development & Field Training etc. As a matter of fact, they have been one of the prominent drivers of Mixed Reality.
Healthcare Industry is one of the other area wherein, these technologies are a real life saver and has already saved a lot of patient care and has paved way to future breakthroughs. VR has been extensively used in treating various phobias, ensuring mental well being etc. It’s also been used for live surgical consultations, medical mock trials, medical learning & teaching etc.
Banking, Financial Services & Insurance (BFSI) Industry has also been an important driver in adopting these technologies. There has been a lot of instances, wherein we have witnessed a few giants trying out virtual branch offices, virtual teller systems etc. Data visualization is an important aspect which offers a truck load of benefits for the users and adds more value to the Enterprises.
Corporate soft skills training is an area which has yielded great benefits and outcome to both users and the companies involved. As per the PwC Soft Skills Training Efficacy Study, 2020 it was proven that the same amount of training conducted in a Class room took 2 hours & E - Learning 45 minutes. Whereas, the same training took just about 29 minutes in VR. They also confirmed that the trainees were 275% more confident to act on what they learned after training.
The above discussion is with respect to what’s happening in spatial computing right now. We will discuss more on the drivers to adoption and the future of spatial computing in our next edition of the newsletter. Stay tuned & Watch out for it.