Spatial Computing

How Immersive Tech Is Revolutionizing Business

Spatial Computing: How Immersive Tech Is Revolutionizing Business

Spatial computing isn’t new — but those of us on the fringe of early adopters have been waiting (impatiently) for business leaders to realize its potential.

Over the past 3 years, the market has started to shift to more scaled deployments and increasingly connected solutions within the metaverse. Advancements in AI and real-time 3D solutions are motivating companies to develop multi-platform strategies for integrating these technologies into their busines.

In June 2023, Apple announced its newest product line: Apple Vision Pro, its first spatial computer.

This, if nothing else, should signal to leaders to pay attention. The world is not flat. And 2D experiences are on the edge of becoming archaic.

What is spatial computing?

Spatial computing is a type of technology that tries to understand the space around you and uses it to create a more immersive and interactive experience, like a computer-generated reality. For example, you can put on special glasses or use your phone to see digital objects overlaid onto the real world (remember the Pokémon Go phenomenon?). The technology makes it seem like these objects are actually there with you in the room. "Spatial" refers to the way the technology understands the space around you to create life-like experiences.

Spatial computing has gained momentum in recent years due to advances in hardware, software and connectivity. Immersive devices, such as headsets, glasses and smartphones are becoming more affordable, accessible and powerful.

Several spatial computing devices hit the market in just the last three years. Microsoft HoloLens 2, a mixed reality headset that features hand and eye tracking and spatial audio launched in late 2019. In 2020, Meta released Oculus Quest 2 (rebranded as Meta Quest 2 in 2022), a standalone VR headset that offers high-resolution graphics and performance. (Meta released an impressive upgrade to this device, Meta Quest 3, in September 2023). And in 2023, Apple unveiled their own highly advanced AR/VR headset, Apple Vision Pro.

Spatial technology platforms, such as Unity3D and Unreal Engine, are enabling developers to create immersive and realistic experiences for multiple platforms at the same time. Spatial computing networks, such as 5G, Wi-Fi 6 and edge computing, are facilitating faster and smoother data transmission and processing.

By 2024, the immersive technology market is expected to reach nearly $300 billion.

Right now, immersive technology consists of virtual, augmented and mixed reality headsets as well as devices that immerse users into interactive virtual experiences. These hardware devices will be the best way of interacting with spatial computing, but they are not always required.

How is immersive technology different from the metaverse? We break these two concepts apart because immersive technology is a way of accessing multiple types of virtual, mixed, online and offline experiences. Immersive tech doesn’t necessarily need to access the metaverse to deliver these experiences.

The metaverse is an iteration of the internet as a single, universal and immersive virtual world. You can “enter” the metaverse by means of many platforms, including mobile devices, PCs, VR, AR and Mixed Reality (MR) headsets.

In colloquial use, a metaverse is a network of 3D virtual worlds focused on social connection, digital marketplaces, training, experiences and replications of the physical world we know today.

The metaverse will be the primary access point for all online-based spatial computing experiences for multiple industries.

Isn’t the metaverse dead?

Far from it. Get caught up on the current and future state of the metaverse in our previous article, “It’s Not Dead — And Other Facts You Need to Know About the Metaverse.”

Why is spatial computing a 2024 tech trend?

Generative AI is accelerating rapidly on a path from 2D to 3D. AI is already generating visual assets, objects, characters, interactions, environments and much more. It’s clear to us that AI will take a spatial form within the next couple of years and improve all our existing immersive and 3D experiences today.

Insight is already leading the way by leveraging generative avatars —powered by Large Language Models (LLMs) — to enhance sales and training.

Real-time 3D is the primary component that drives all spatial computing. With real-time 3D software, fully interactive, 3D models, environments and entire virtual worlds can be digitally rendered faster than the blink of an eye — a significant advantage compared to traditional content creation tools.

Once real-time 3D content is created, it can be deployed to mobile devices, computers, AR and VR devices, the metaverse, websites, digital signage and other platforms.

Advertisers have successfully harnessed this technology with 3D billboards that stop pedestrians in their tracks.

Real-time 3D offers end users a fundamentally more engaging and immersive experience than non-interactive, static content.

Spatial computing has the potential to transform industries

Emerging advances in the field of spatial computing are changing the way we perceive and interact with the world around us. Immersive technology continues to create new opportunities and the potential to revolutionize various industries and domains.

Here are some examples of how spatial computing is transforming industries:

Education
Deliver more impactful learning experiences and student engagement by providing immersive and interactive environments that simulate real-world scenarios and phenomena. Students can explore the solar system, the human body, or ancient civilizations in VR, or overlay digital information and models on physical objects and locations in AR. 3D displays and signage are also changing how students interact with information and models without headsets.

Entertainment
Spatial computing creates new forms of storytelling and gaming that are more immersive and interactive. Users can watch movies and shows in 360-degree VR, or participate in live events, sporting events and concerts in AR. Users can also play games that are more realistic and responsive to their actions and surroundings in VR and AR. AI is advancing the way movies are made with AI-enabled rendering pipelines and 3D scenery that is completely generated by AI.

Healthcare
Improve the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases and injuries using immersive and interactive tools. Doctors can use VR and AR to visualize and manipulate medical images and data or perform remote surgeries and consultations. Patients can also use VR and AR to manage pain, anxiety and rehabilitation. New forms of 3D displays are also being used to visually communicate 3D modalities like MRIs and CAT scans near real time.

Manufacturing
Enhances productivity, quality and safety of the production process by providing immersive and interactive tools for workers and managers. Workers can use VR and AR to access instructions, guidance and feedback, and safely perform complex or hazardous tasks. Managers can also use VR and AR to monitor and optimize the performance and efficiency of the production line.

Retail
Shoppers can use VR and AR to try on clothes, accessories and cosmetics, or preview furniture, appliances and cars. Sellers can also use VR and AR to showcase their products, services and offers. Digital signage that includes 3D content is exploding in the market right now, creating new ways of engaging with customers. Some of the newer displays are actually three dimensional themselves, with a point of perspective to give a sense of depth to the signage.

Tourism
Travelers can use VR and AR to explore destinations, landmarks and cultures. For example, AR can show visitors what the Colosseum used to look like, complete with roaring crowds and gladiators. Guides can also use VR and AR to overlay information on visitor surroundings and tell more visually engaging stories.

The key to immersion is having the right guide

Immersive technology is a niche segment of IT — and one that’s changing rapidly. Having the right expertise to build a sustainable, connected and future-forward immersive solution makes all the difference between a technology experiment and a path to ROI.

At Insight, we guide your spatial computing journey end to end with the latest partners, technologies, services, solutions and expertise. In 2024, we will have even more capabilities as new devices and solutions come to market.

Enhance productivity,
efficiency and innovation.
Insight can show you how
spatial computing drives measurable ROI.

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