Spatial computing is a broad concept that combines the physical world and virtual content. This process allows digital objects to exist and interact with the physical environment as if they were actually there, even allowing the user to interact with the digital objects.
What is spatial computing?
It is a system that allows computers to interact and understand the physical environment around users, and in which they can also interact with virtual objects. But what is the basic principle of spatial computing?
Spatial computing creates seamless interaction between virtual and physical environments through software and hardware. A platform is needed to make spatial computing possible. This platform can:
- Capturing real-world information with cameras and sensors
- Process them in real time to understand the context of the captured space
- Display content on the physical environment to overlay content or create entirely virtual environments.
This three-step process requires sensors, cameras and complex algorithms that often rely on artificial intelligence for spatial reasoning and object recognition. This is how you can put on an augmented reality headset and see a digital cat sitting on your physical coffee table or text displayed only on the wall behind your sofa.
What are examples of spatial computing?
Examples of spatial computing include AR glasses, like Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses and Xreal’s Air 2 Ultra, and VR headsets, like Meta Quest 3 and Apple Vision Pro. These space computers combine the physical world with a virtual world, whether by creating an immersive environment or by overlaying information.
Is spatial computing the same as VR?
Virtual reality (VR) is a type of spatial computing. Merging the real world with digital experiences can be achieved through various extended reality (XR) technologies, including VR, but also augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR).
What are the differences between XR, VR, AR and MR?
Extended Reality (ER) is a universal term that describes technologies that digitally alter reality. Extended reality is a broad term that encompasses spatial computing technologies, including virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR).
Definition of Virtual Reality
Technology used to create simulated spaces for immersive experiences. These simulated environments can be complete 3D worlds or sections of virtual content overlaid on the physical world.
VR headsets typically have screens and a set of lenses that the eyes can see through. While VR headsets can show the physical world in front of the user, this is usually recreated by the cameras on the front of the device, as the user’s view tends to be completely obstructed by the screens of the device. helmet.
Although Apple markets its Vision Pro headset as an AR headset with apps overlaid on the user’s environment, it does so with sensors and cameras, as the user cannot see directly through the Vision Pro .
Definition of Augmented Reality
It creates an interactive experience for users by overlaying digital content, such as images and text, onto the user’s physical environment.
AR glasses, often called smart glasses, do not obstruct the user’s view. They often have darker lenses than reading or prescription glasses, so that content can be seen clearly.
The augmented reality experience also extends to smartphones and tablets: every time you use a shopping app to see what a piece of furniture will look like in your living room, you are using augmented reality.
Definition of Mixed Reality
Mixing AR and VR in a certain way. MR gives the user a view of the real world around them with digital objects overlaid, but this technology allows these objects to interact with the physical world.
MR is more immersive than AR, but is not a fully immersive experience like VR.
Where does the term “spatial computing” come from?
Although Apple recently popularized the term, “spatial computing” has been around for decades. One of the first formalizations of the term was made in 2003 by Simon Greenwold, who presented a thesis on his work in the field of spatial computing.
Mr Greenwold highlighted the move towards more immersive computing environments and said spatial computing is where physical space becomes a means of interacting with digital information.
Source: “ZDNet.com”