Entering the Mixed Reality World with Spatial Computing Technologies: 2024 Trends and Predictions

Author: Bob Jan 07, 2024 12 min read

Spatial computing is creating a real buzz in the world of technology, business, and consumer tech market. While artificial intelligence has an increasing number of applications to offer, the new human interaction has already been introduced at the Consumer Electronic Show (CES) 2024. However, it is not the first time for businesses to see and try spatial computing glasses and discuss advancements in mixed reality applications.  So, does it mean we are going to witness an era of spatial computing in its evolving form?

Below, we will discover a whole world of a new era of physical and virtual environments, give a special computing definition, compare Vision Pro and Magic Leap technologies, and finally, explore virtual experiences in the business world in 2024.

Join the spatial computing race with our 3D design services!

What Is Spatial Computing? 

Have you ever played video games? What if you could participate in a game directly, interacting with the environment, objects, and characters, talking to them, and getting a response? This is a simple spatial computing example, where virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) meet the physical world

Speaking more professionally, spatial computing is a technology that allows for interacting with the physical world in a more immersive and interactive way by overlaying digital content into the physical environment. Actually, the term “spatial computing” was widely discussed right after Apple’s WWDC conference in 2023 and was defined by Apple CEO Tim Cook as “the innovation that blends digital content with the physical space while allowing the user’s eyes to stay connected with other participants”.

In the business world, the existence of a new extended reality brings the following benefits:

  • Real-time training and skill development opportunities;
  • New infinite canvas for creating digital content;
  • Remote assistance and collaboration in virtual environments;
  • New tourism business perspectives;
  • Improved data visualization and analytics.

Spatial computing offers numerous business ideas with less cost and higher safety like virtual events and conferences that already take place in 2023-2024.

 

The Era of Spatial Computing

 

A New Form of Computing Today: Devices Vision Pro Vs Magic Leap, Applications, and Market Growth 2024

The spatial computing market has taken center stage since new technologies were introduced at CES 2024. 

A new form of computing has the potential to transform how we interact with technology and the world around us, leading to new opportunities and innovations.  So, let’s review the main trends that shape the spatial computing presentence in 2024. 

 

Fast Evolutionary Technological Shift

The spatial computing is becoming more vital, with more companies and individuals using it for various purposes. The global market for new computing forms is expected to reach $512 billion by 2032, compared to $87.5 in 2022. 

For example, as stated by Forbes, the technology has the potential to revolutionize real-time training and skill development that helps to enhance the learning and performance of employees and workers. This was evident at CES 2024, where PIXO VR and Dimension X announced the creation of a digital content creation platform that allows enterprises to utilize various AR/VR/MR spatial computing applications to meet their training needs. 

 

Powerful Spatial Computing Devices

  • Magic Leap 1 and 2 by Magic Leap Enterprise

Magic Leap One which costs almost $2,300 is the first prominent mixed reality headset to speak out loud about human interactions in the expanding computing world. The headset combines sensors, high-speed cameras, two lenses, a 3D audio system Spatial Audio, a 3.5 mini-jack, and a mike. 

Magic Leap Two, an evolving form of the previous version, is designed for all-day comfort work in different industries. It is the most immersive augmented reality (AR) platform for enterprises. The headset includes new interfaces with AR Cloud and a native Web Browser that increase product performance and functionality.

Yet, the creators have already shifted from the “spatial computing” definition to the augmented reality (AR) term, as they explain the device allows the digital content to move beyond the 2D screens and computers. 

  • Vision Pro from Apple

The recent release of Vision Pro glasses from Apple is one of the forward spatial computing examples that became a reality. Featuring visionOS, the first spatial operating system, Vision Pro uses such advanced sensors that respond to eyes and hand movements, allowing the users to interact with digital content using natural gestures. The Vision Pro uses high-speed cameras and a ring of LED that projects invisible light patterns into the user’s eyes for responsive input. Amplified with Spatial Audio, the participants will sound hyper-realistic.

Built upon decades of technology experiments, Vision Pro is years ahead to bring users exciting opportunities to enjoy the Universe of the physical world along with virtual objects. 

 

Growth in software and tools

Throughout 2023, the developers had enough software and tools available for creating and using spatial computing applications that are already used in the gaming industry and will surprise us in the near future

For example, AWS spatial computing is a cloud-based platform that enables developers to build and deploy spatial applications using augmented reality, virtual reality, and 3D technologies. With the help of Amazon Sumerian, which is part of the platform, the developers and artists can create 3D scenes and experiences. In addition, the AWS spatial computing platform provides many tools for building and deploying spatial applications, including support for Unity and Unreal Engine. 

 

New Computer Vision Platforms for Different Industries

In 2024, spatial computing applications are becoming more diverse. Now, the technology is used in gaming, education, healthcare, and manufacturing. 

For example, Tactile is a spatial computing platform that provides training and support for industrial workers using AR and VR technologies. As for education, there is a Fit-Learn spatial computing platform that helps students learn the complex concepts of science, technology, and engineering by providing interactive 3D models for real objects and simulations.

 

Integration with other technologies

Given the trends above, it’s not surprising that spatial computing is increasingly being integrated with other technologies such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and blockchain. Speaking of artificial intelligence, it is believed that this technology can improve the co-existence of virtual environments within physical space

For example, artificial intelligence can significantly help with improving the accuracy of 3D mapping, providing more accurate object identification. There will be no need for static devices anymore.

  • Innovation Leaders in New Form of Computing

Apple with its new spatial computer form – Vision Pro headset 2024 – announced a strong declaration for further innovations in the fusion of physical and virtual environments

The second leader in technology is XREAL with Air 2 ULTRA AR glasses that debuted at CES 2024 with a retail price of $699 that is more accessible to a middle buyer with the same functions of extended reality and strong visualization of real objects.

 

Challenges in the Spatial Computing Development

Despite spatial computing being a revolutionary technology that can forever change the ways we interact with the virtual and physical worlds, it still has some significant limitations and challenges to its full-cycle implementations.

 

Challenges to the Spatial Computing Adoption

 

Challenges with user experience

While spatial computing has made significant strides, there are still challenges with user experience, such as motion sickness and interface design. At the same time, Apple’s Vision Pro claims to change this. Its 24 million pixels provide a perfect image quality, while eye-relief calibration matches the lenses with the center of the user’s eyes automatically. Those who have tried these spatial computing glasses recently say they provide no judder and frame drops, no lugs and nausea after using them. 

At the same time, early testers also said Vision Pro may have a limited field of view and its hand tracking is less advanced compared to an eye-tracking feature.

 

Limited accessibility

Spatial computing is not yet accessible to everyone due to factors such as cost, technical expertise, and infrastructure limitations. Talking about Vision Pro device, the price of $3500 can actually feel high to some users. 

Spatial computing implementation also requires specific technical expertise, including but not limited to machine learning, computer vision programming, 3D modeling, data management, and data protection skills. 

In addition, spatial computing systems should be integrated with existing solutions to bring business value to organizations, which also requires specialized knowledge of system integration and can be a challenge for companies with complex IT environments. 

 

Lack of Full Integration with Other Devices

Spatial computing meaning is surrounded by the involvement of multiple devices to work on their full potential. For instance, if the buyer wants to check out the online shop garments with the spatial computing headset (glasses including high-speed camera and microphone); probably this headset must integrate with the online shop interface and its functionality to properly showcase garments/products in the physical space. It is the concern of all consumer tech businesses and the rest of industries, where spatial computing devices must integrate with databases and other working interfaces to display real objects correctly.

 

Lack Of Solid Standards And Development Experience

Since the technology is pretty new, there are no clear standards and regulations for hardware and software development for this niche. 

For instance, there are no widely accepted standards for new interfaces, making developers guess how to make spatial mobile computing apps compatible with different platforms and devices.  But most importantly, there are no privacy and security standards as well. 

If you would like to improve your business by implementing spatial computing devices and 3D technologies, we can share our expertise!

Spatial Computing Tomorrow: The Universe of Virtual Experiences and Spatial Computing Market

With the fast industrial revolution, where artificial intelligence and 3D technologies are leaders, there are dozens of business perspectives waiting for us tomorrow.  What if we can talk with virtual robots to walk us through the virtual museum library?

 

Future Trend of Spatial Computing

 

Spatial computing offers dozens of options for businesses to go “virtually online”. The expanding computing reality can be used for:

  • Virtual events and conferences. This can include features such as interactive exhibits, virtual networking opportunities, and real-time human interactions. A product like Vision Pro, which projects invisible light patterns into user’s eyes and provides realistic sounds, is the best option for this business now.
  • Virtual training and education. Startups can use mixed reality technology to create new and innovative training and education solutions that offer more engaging and interactive experiences for learners.
    Just imagine students with the help of computer vision traveling to the ancient streets of Rome or kids attending a realistic Jurassic Park! The new form of computing interactivity fosters deeper curiosity and understanding.
  • Virtual commerce and banking. For example, Decentraland already provides some of these opportunities. Within this platform, users can buy, sell, and build virtual real estate, using cryptocurrencies, and interact with other users in a highly immersive and interactive environment.
  • Virtual tourism. With the Covid-19 pandemic limiting people’s ability to travel for some time, virtual tourism has become increasingly popular as a way to explore the world with the user’s eyes just from one’s own home. As machine learning extends and virtual experiences continue to improve, virtual tourism is likely to become an even more popular and accessible form in the future, despite the pandemic being over.
    Benefits of virtual tourism include attendance of the same physical world from the comfort of one’s home (with your cup of coffee); great contribution to the museums that revive its existence; recreation of new cultural environments for tourism learners. 
  • Virtual socializing and workspaces. For instance, the Second Life application, as the name suggests, offers users to escape from reality and immerse themselves into a completely different, three-dimensional, and interactive world. This extended reality workspace combines almost all the ideas listed above. 

The spatial computing market 2024 with its leaders Apple and XREAL implies a wider trend of changing the business perspectives of such industries as healthcare and retail.  XRHealth’s $6 million investment into the spatial healthcare platform is solid proof of this trend. 

Also, keep in mind that at Wow-How studio, we specialize in creating high-quality 3D content that can power your future spatial computing application of any type. While the technology itself is actually brand-new, our extensive experience in 3D development, the latest knowledge of the best 3D practices, and unlimited creativity will help your solution stand out. 

 

Conclusion: Developing Spatial Computing World Together

The era of spatial computing apps is approaching us rapidly, creating new opportunities for the business world and personal development. In 2024 and beyond, we will observe new results in machine learning, and see a continued blend of physical environments and 3D objects. 

As you see, the term spatial computing combines the physical world with the virtual dimension, resulting in a mixed reality. To implement it, we recommend consulting with studios that possess high skills in 3D visualization and bring the physical context ideas to life.

At Wow-How 3D development and visualization studio, we help businesses harness the power of virtual and physical worlds to create outstanding 3D models and environments for their future AR, VR, and XR applications. With our expertise in 3D modeling, 3D animation, and visualization, we can help bring your ideas to life and create immersive and engaging experiences that will captivate your audience.  

If you’re looking to stay ahead of the curve in the era of spatial computing, enhance your business with such marvelous devices like Vision Pro, and implement new forms of computing technologies, get in touch with us and let us help you create a new future!

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