Spatial computing is reshaping human-computer interaction: from Vision Pro to the next generation of computing era

When Apple launched Vision Pro in June 2023, it didn’t just release a hardware product; more importantly, it introduced the new computing paradigm of “spatial computing” to the masses. Although the term was first proposed by MIT researcher Simon Greenwold in 2003, it has only truly entered an explosive application phase today.

Why Is Spatial Computing Only Now Gaining Popularity

In simple terms, spatial computing is a collective term for a set of technologies that enable humans to interact with computers in three-dimensional space. It includes various forms such as Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Mixed Reality (MR).

The key question is: why has this concept suddenly become a focus in the tech industry? The answer lies in the rapid development of generative AI. During the PC and smartphone era, AI-generated content was confined to two-dimensional screens, severely limiting user interaction experiences. As the carrier for Gen AI content, spatial computing allows users to interact with AI-generated digital content in an immersive way—something smartphones can never achieve.

Imagine: data assets are no longer just cold, numeric strings but tangible assets that can be intuitively perceived within specific spaces. This visualization of digital assets not only changes the way humans interact with machines but also will fundamentally reshape the business logic of Gen AI.

How the Technology Works: From Display to Interaction

The realization of spatial computing relies on several core technological pillars:

Display Technologies are divided into two categories: transparent glasses (such as Magic Leap, Microsoft HoloLens) allow users to see the real environment and holograms through glasses; see-through screens (such as Vision Pro, Meta Quest) use cameras and screens to present the surrounding environment, providing a more immersive experience.

Spatial Tracking enables devices to understand their precise position in the environment. By continuously scanning the environment with cameras, computer vision, or LiDAR, reference point clouds are generated. This is categorized into 3DoF (rotation only) and 6DoF (rotation + position) with different levels of accuracy.

Interaction Mechanisms include controller input, hand tracking, and eye tracking. Among these, eye tracking has evolved from a “bonus feature” to a key input method in devices like Vision Pro.

3D Rendering is fundamental—devices need to redraw the scene 60 times per second, demanding high computational power. The advent of remote rendering technologies (such as Nvidia Cloud XR, Azure Remote Rendering) has solved this challenge by shifting processing loads to the cloud.

Five Major Fields Already Transformed by Spatial Computing

Healthcare: Surgeons can practice complex surgeries in virtual environments with zero risk; doctors can visualize critical information hands-free during operations; communication between patients and doctors becomes more intuitive and effective through spatial presentation.

Remote Collaboration: Post-COVID, Zoom no longer suffices for creative collaboration. Tools like Microsoft Mesh enable remote teams to manipulate 3D models within shared virtual spaces, as if in the same office. Mercedes-Benz uses HoloLens 2 for remote service support for global dealerships, significantly improving efficiency and reducing travel costs.

Training and Education: Studies show VR training participants achieve a 100% work acquisition rate (compared to 69% for non-VR); learners using virtual environments are nearly 20% faster and have a success rate 230% higher. Whether for surgery, fire escape drills, or mechanical repairs, VR allows trainees to practice repeatedly without consequences, ensuring high-quality output.

Industrial Design: Airbus visualizes and interacts with holographic aircraft parts using Hololens; architects can identify issues in a 3D environment before construction, preventing costly delays; interior designers can immerse themselves in discussions with clients, greatly reducing rework risks.

Gaming and Entertainment: VR game revenue alone exceeded $1.8 billion in 2022, expected to double to $3.2 billion by 2024. Titles like “Beat Saber” have sold over $255 million lifetime, and “Half-Life: Alyx” has sold over 3.5 million copies. These successful cases demonstrate the commercial potential of spatial computing in gaming.

Tech Giants Competing for the Future Computing Era

Apple, with Vision Pro as a pioneer, does not seek early maximum market share but aims to define the standards of the new era, similar to the Macintosh and iPhone. The initial batch of 400,000 units is expected to grow to 10 million units annually by 2026.

Meta controls 75% of the VR market. Meta Quest 3, priced at $499, targets the mass market, offering features comparable to Vision Pro but at a much lower cost. This could become the real breakout point for consumer-grade spatial computing.

Microsoft has become a dominant player in enterprise mixed reality, from HoloLens 1 (2016) to HoloLens 2 (2019), while also providing Teams and Microsoft 365 solutions within the Meta Quest ecosystem—adopting a strategy proven successful on Windows platforms.

Magic Leap holds over 4,000 patents for glass display technology. As tech giants focus on consumer markets, Magic Leap positions itself in the enterprise sector, which is expected to grow rapidly.

Google, Samsung, and Qualcomm announced a joint effort to launch next-generation spatial computing devices by late 2024, with Google developing a new operating system, potentially reshaping industry dynamics.

ByteDance entered the field through its 2021 acquisition of PICO, with PICO 4 directly competing with Meta Quest, and also launching the enterprise version PICO 4E.

Key Milestones for the Next Three Years

According to industry analysis, hundreds of millions of devices equipped with spatial computing will be in use worldwide within the next three years. This is not merely a hardware revolution but a leap in productivity (AGI), social relations (Web3), and spatial production (Spatial Computing).

Vision Pro is set to be released this month, but this is just the beginning. With the launches of consumer devices like Meta Quest 3, PlayStation VR2, and Samsung’s new products based on Google’s system, spatial computing will transition from a niche for tech enthusiasts to mainstream daily use.

The real revolution will occur when AI-generated 3D content can be intuitively perceived and interacted with in virtual space, enabling true commercial breakthroughs for Gen AI. Data assets will take on visual forms, and the way users interact with technology will be fundamentally rewritten.

This new era of computing has already quietly begun.