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Virtual, augmented, and mixed reality, the three aspects of spatial computing. These represent the integration of the physical with the digital. Virtual reality creates an entirely digital world, augmented displays the digital on the physical, and mixed lets them interact. These can be fairly abstract ideas, so written below are a range of their uses in the real world.
First are the uses of demonstration. The ability to attempt something without physical consequence can be extremely useful. In particular, virtual flight simulators allow pilots to practice before getting behind a real cockpit. Yet even fashion designers and engineers can create drafts before the use of real material and man hours. This can save time, energy, money, and even lives.
Second are uses of entertainment. Virtual reality’s single greatest use is in the world of gaming. The ability for consumers to integrate into a world is something dreamed of for as long as gaming has existed. This same ability has similarly been used in the world of education. Putting students into a virtual or augmented reality can be helpful in making abstract points and maintaining interest.
Finally, uses within the health industry are fairly diverse. Most impressively was the development of Augmedics. These devices were created to allow surgeons to see the correct spinal position superpositioned onto the patient. This is much preferred to the alternative of operating while staring at a screen entirely separate to the body. Much less seriously though augmented reality also offers a practical revolution in how information is displayed in hospital settings.
While these are just a few of the many examples of spatial computing today, they go to show the scope of the industry. Year after year, technology continues to grow in importance and spread. Today the AR glasses market continues to grow while smartphones fall. They are the future of technology, the only question is exactly how pervasive they’ll become.
