Trend Watch: Spatial Computing

One of the AR/VR discussion topics in the spotlight at CES 2025—the huge consumer electronics event in Las Vegas—was  "Spatial Computing". Characterized as "a revolution blending computing with the real world." Spatial Computing also emerged as the trending term at the SPIE AR|VR|MR Conference just weeks later in San Francisco.  

Consensus use of Spatial Computing is as a broad term to encompassing AR/VR/MR (collectively XR), the metaverse, mobile devices, and interactive technologies, including visual systems, digital networks, and AI for both enterprise and consumer use cases  A consistent theme at the SPIE show (now in its sixth year) has been when and how AR/MR and smart glasses would make the leap from niche product to mass market adoption. Virtual Reality (VR) has already experienced consumer success, especially in gaming and entertainment market segments. But AR/MR devices and smartglasses thus far have had limited success, used primarily in enterprise applications such as training and industrial processes. 

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Examples of the Microsoft Hololens MR device being used for enterprise "Spatial Computing" applications such as interactive medical training (left) and equipment operation (right, image source)

Some industry figures suggest that the proliferation of terminology (augmented reality (AR), merged or mixed reality (MR), extended reality (XR), metaverse, smart glasses, "smart" everything, AI, etc.) has been one barrier to consumer adoption. These terms all focus on specific platforms or technologies—how is the average shopper supposed to distinguish the nuances of AR, MR or smart glasses, for example? By contrast, Spatial Computing (SC) is an umbrella term describing an entire modality, thus may be easier to grasp. Once consumers get excited about the possibility of SC in their daily life, then selling different types of devices becomes a much simpler prospect.  It would be analogous to simply picking what type of mobile device (e.g., iPhone, Android phone, tablet, smart watch) you want to purchase to enable the modality of internet connectivity on the go.

What is Spatial Computing?

As a simplistic definition, spatial computing simply means computing "in space" - meaning in the real world, not tied to a desktop computer. Mobile phones can even be viewed as rudimentary spatial computing devices, since they allow users digital access and functions in multiple locations. From a more nuanced perspective 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. From a business perspective, it will allow people to create new content, products, experiences, and services that have purpose in both physical and virtual environments, expanding computing into everything you can see, touch, and know.'²

A whole realm of devices and technologies intertwine to create the SC experience, such as wearable headsets with built-in cameras, scanners, microphones, and sensors, using artificial intelligence, AR/MR and VR technology, volumetric and holographic imaging, and the internet of things. Using interactive interfaces such as hand gestures, gaze tracking, finger movements, voice commands, SC create a more immersive relationship between user and computing functions. GPS, Bluetooth, and other sensors also provide physical context. 

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The Applie Vision Pro headset offers interactive computing functions in a spatial environment. (Image ©Apple)

Many current enterprise AR/MR applications are already putting SC technologies into use. What distinguishes the concept of SC from much of previous XR seems to be the level of interactivity. "While AR is more about enhancing your real-world environment in a purely visual way—that is, creating a user experience that shows physical surroundings with some digital objects added in—spatial computing is more of a framework where digital and physical elements interact dynamically, across multiple sensory modalities and input methods. In spatial computing, the physical location may be incidental to the digital content a user is grappling with, whereas in AR, digital objects and other virtual elements serve to enhance a specific physical reality."³

Smartglasses Are Fashion

Of course, barriers to consumer adoption of AR/MR devices and their accompanying SC features goes beyond simple terminology.  As long as smart glasses were bulky, uncomfortable, and ugly, the market was always going to be limited to hard-core tech mavens. One SPIE panelist reminded the audience that "glasses are fashion"—people don't want to wear something on their face that doesn't look good!

Meta and Ray-Ban seem to have finally cracked the code with a new line of smart glasses that look just like "regular glasses" that are based on styles such as the iconic Wayfarer. Released in 2023, they're available in multiple colors and variations. Meta Ray-Bans sold more than one million pairs in the US in 2024.¹

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Just a few of the many colors and styles of Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses available today including Wayfarer, Headliner, and Skyler frames. (Images © Meta) 

The next frontier of SC could include even move beyond headsets. For example, Google's Project Starline integrates computer vision, machine learning, spatial audio, and real-time compression to create the experience of sitting accross the table from a real person. "You can talk, make hand gestures, use body language, and make eye contact in life size and three dimensions—all without wearing anything on your face."⁴

Whatever the future of XR and Spatial Computing holds, Radiant is ready to help ensure the quality of the user experience with our XR measurement solutions.

CITATIONS

1. Roth, E. and Heath, Al, "Meta’s Ray-Bans smart glasses sold more than 1 million units last year," The Verge, January 25, 2025. https://www.theverge.com/meta/603674/meta-ray-ban-smart-glasses-sales
2. Hackl, C., 'What Leaders Need to Know About Spatial Computing," Harvard Business Review, November 10, 2023. https://hbr.org/2023/11/what-leaders-need-to-know-about-spatial-computing#:~:text=In%202003%2C%20researcher%20Simon%20Greenwold,on%20spatial%20computing%20for%20years.
3. "Spatial Computing vs AI for Manufacturers," TXI (accessed January 30, 2025). https://txidigital.com/insights/spatial-computing-vs-ar-manufacturers#:~:text=But%20while%20AR%20is%20more,interact%20dynamically%2C%20across%20multiple%20sensory
4. Hackl, C., 'What Leaders Need to Know About Spatial Computing," Harvard Business Review, November 10, 2023. https://hbr.org/2023/11/what-leaders-need-to-know-about-spatial-computing#:~:text=In%202003%2C%20researcher%20Simon%20Greenwold,on%20spatial%20computing%20for%20years.