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The concept of blending computation with physical space has roots in multiple fields. While the term "spatial computing" appeared in academic literature related to geographic information systems (GIS) in the mid-1980s<ref name="HandwikiHistory">HandWiki. "Engineering:Spatial computing - History" (Accessed Apr 2025). (Cites a 1985 paper on geography education)</ref>, its modern meaning related to human-scale interaction emerged later. Influential precursors include [[Ivan Sutherland]]'s work on [[Sketchpad]] and the first head-mounted displays in the 1960s, and [[Mark Weiser]]'s vision of [[ubiquitous computing]] at Xerox PARC in 1991, which imagined computers woven into the fabric of everyday life.<ref name="HandwikiHistory"/>
The concept of blending computation with physical space has roots in multiple fields. While the term "spatial computing" appeared in academic literature related to geographic information systems (GIS) in the mid-1980s<ref name="HandwikiHistory">HandWiki. "Engineering:Spatial computing - History" (Accessed Apr 2025). (Cites a 1985 paper on geography education)</ref>, its modern meaning related to human-scale interaction emerged later. Influential precursors include [[Ivan Sutherland]]'s work on [[Sketchpad]] and the first head-mounted displays in the 1960s, and [[Mark Weiser]]'s vision of [[ubiquitous computing]] at Xerox PARC in 1991, which imagined computers woven into the fabric of everyday life.<ref name="HandwikiHistory"/>


In the early 1990s, researchers at the University of Washington’s Human Interface Technology Lab (HIT Lab), led by VR pioneer [[Thomas A. Furness III]], explored advanced 3D interfaces. A spin-off company, Worldesign Inc., founded by Dr. Robert Jacobson, used "Spatial Computing" to describe human interaction within immersive 3D environments at room scale, demonstrating concepts like a virtual Giza Plateau reconstruction in 1993.<ref name="HandwikiHistory"/><ref name="VentureBeatJacobson">Dean Takahashi (June 2023). "With Vision Pro launched, companies must talk about XR, nausea and gender." VentureBeat. (“…‘spatial computing’ — a term that was actually coined in the early 90s by Dr. Bob Jacobson, founder of Worldesign…”)​</ref> An academic publication "Spatial Computing: Issues in Vision, Multimedia and Visualization Technologies" (1997) by T. Caelli and H. Bunke further introduced the term academically.<ref name="HandwikiHistory"/>
In the early 1990s, researchers at the University of Washington’s Human Interface Technology Lab (HIT Lab), led by VR pioneer [[Thomas A. Furness III]], explored advanced 3D interfaces. A spin-off company, Worldesign Inc., founded by Dr. Robert Jacobson, used "Spatial Computing" to describe human interaction within immersive 3D environments at room scale, demonstrating concepts like a virtual Giza Plateau reconstruction in 1993.<ref name="HandwikiHistory"/><ref name="VentureBeatJacobson">Dean Takahashi (June 2023). "With Vision Pro launched, companies must talk about XR, nausea and gender." VentureBeat. (“…‘spatial computing’ - a term that was actually coined in the early 90s by Dr. Bob Jacobson, founder of Worldesign…”)​</ref> An academic publication "Spatial Computing: Issues in Vision, Multimedia and Visualization Technologies" (1997) by T. Caelli and H. Bunke further introduced the term academically.<ref name="HandwikiHistory"/>


The term gained significant traction following [[Simon Greenwold]]'s 2003 Master's thesis at the [[MIT Media Lab]].<ref name="GreenwoldThesis"/> Greenwold defined it as "human interaction with a machine in which the machine retains and manipulates referents to real objects and spaces," emphasizing machines becoming "fuller partners in our work and play."<ref name="TechTargetGreenwoldQuote">Simon Greenwold (June 2003). Spatial Computing (Master’s thesis, MIT Media Arts & Sciences) – as quoted in TechTarget, Feb 2024.</ref> This coincided with growing research in [[context-aware computing]] and ambient interfaces.
The term gained significant traction following [[Simon Greenwold]]'s 2003 Master's thesis at the [[MIT Media Lab]].<ref name="GreenwoldThesis"/> Greenwold defined it as "human interaction with a machine in which the machine retains and manipulates referents to real objects and spaces," emphasizing machines becoming "fuller partners in our work and play."<ref name="TechTargetGreenwoldQuote"></ref> This coincided with growing research in [[context-aware computing]] and ambient interfaces.


Commercial developments accelerated in the 2010s:
Commercial developments accelerated in the 2010s:
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*  '''Convergence:''' Further blending with [[Internet of Things|IoT]], [[Cloud computing]], [[Edge computing]], and potentially forming key infrastructure for concepts like the [[Metaverse]].
*  '''Convergence:''' Further blending with [[Internet of Things|IoT]], [[Cloud computing]], [[Edge computing]], and potentially forming key infrastructure for concepts like the [[Metaverse]].
*  '''Accessibility:''' Lower price points over time driving wider consumer and enterprise adoption.
*  '''Accessibility:''' Lower price points over time driving wider consumer and enterprise adoption.
*  '''Enhanced Interaction:''' Advances in [[Brain–computer interface|brain-computer interfaces]] or sophisticated sensor-based inputs (for example EMG wristbands<ref name="MetaEMG"/>) could offer new ways to interact spatially.
*  '''Enhanced Interaction:''' Advances in [[Brain-computer interface|brain-computer interfaces]] or sophisticated sensor-based inputs (for example EMG wristbands<ref name="MetaEMG"/>) could offer new ways to interact spatially.


Technology leaders like Tim Cook see it as profoundly changing human-computer interaction.<ref name="9to5MacCookMemo"/> Futurists like Cathy Hackl frame it as the next computing wave enabling new forms of communication and machine intelligence.<ref name="HacklIndependent"/> Microsoft emphasizes productivity gains,<ref name="KipmanMR"/> while Meta focuses on social connection in the metaverse. The long-term vision often involves seamlessly blending digital information and interaction into our everyday perception of the physical world.
Technology leaders like Tim Cook see it as profoundly changing human-computer interaction.<ref name="9to5MacCookMemo"/> Futurists like Cathy Hackl frame it as the next computing wave enabling new forms of communication and machine intelligence.<ref name="HacklIndependent"/> Microsoft emphasizes productivity gains,<ref name="KipmanMR"/> while Meta focuses on social connection in the metaverse. The long-term vision often involves seamlessly blending digital information and interaction into our everyday perception of the physical world.
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<references>
<references>
<ref name="GreenwoldThesis">Greenwold, Simon A. "Spatial Computing". MIT Master's Thesis, June 2003. [https://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/87460 Link]</ref>
<ref name="GreenwoldThesis">Greenwold, Simon A. "Spatial Computing". MIT Master's Thesis, June 2003. [https://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/87460 Link]</ref>
<ref name="TechTargetGreenwoldQuote">Simon Greenwold (June 2003). Spatial Computing (Master’s thesis, MIT Media Arts & Sciences) – as quoted in TechTarget, Feb 2024.</ref>
<ref name="TechTargetGreenwoldQuote">Alexander Gillis & George Lawton (Feb 7 2024). “What is spatial computing?” *TechTarget*. https://www.techtarget.com/searchcio/definition/spatial-computing </ref>
<ref name="Microsoft HoloLens">Microsoft. (2016). "HoloLens: Mixed Reality." Retrieved from https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/hololens</ref>
<ref name="Microsoft HoloLens">Microsoft. (2016). "HoloLens: Mixed Reality." Retrieved from https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/hololens</ref>
<ref name="Magic Leap One">Magic Leap. (2018). "Magic Leap One Creator Edition." Retrieved from https://www.magicleap.com/en-us</ref>
<ref name="Magic Leap One">Magic Leap (Jan 23 2025). “Magic Leap 1 End‑of‑Life notice.” Magic Leap Care Knowledge‑Base. https://care.magicleap.com/hc/en-us/articles/360047675792 </ref>
<ref name="ARKit">Apple Developer. "ARKit." Retrieved from https://developer.apple.com/augmented-reality/arkit/</ref>
<ref name="ARKit">Apple Developer. "ARKit." Retrieved from https://developer.apple.com/augmented-reality/arkit/</ref>
<ref name="ARCore">Google Developers. "ARCore." Retrieved from https://developers.google.com/ar</ref>
<ref name="ARCore">Google Developers. "ARCore." Retrieved from https://developers.google.com/ar</ref>
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<ref name="OculusQuest">Meta Quest. Retrieved from https://www.meta.com/quest/</ref>
<ref name="OculusQuest">Meta Quest. Retrieved from https://www.meta.com/quest/</ref>
<ref name="VisionProAnnounce">Apple Newsroom. "Introducing Apple Vision Pro: Apple’s first spatial computer." June 5, 2023. [https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2023/06/introducing-apple-vision-pro/ Link]</ref>
<ref name="VisionProAnnounce">Apple Newsroom. "Introducing Apple Vision Pro: Apple’s first spatial computer." June 5, 2023. [https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2023/06/introducing-apple-vision-pro/ Link]</ref>
<ref name="9to5MacCookMemo">Filipe Espósito (Feb 2, 2024). "Tim Cook compares Vision Pro launch to iPhone launch in memo to employees." 9to5Mac.</ref>
<ref name="9to5MacCookMemo">Filipe Espósito (Feb 2 2024). “Tim Cook compares Vision Pro launch to iPhone launch in memo to employees.” *9to5Mac*. https://9to5mac.com/2024/02/02/tim-cook-vision-pro-launch-memo/ </ref>
<ref name="CookSpatialWWDC">Cook, Tim. Apple WWDC 2023 Keynote. June 2023. [Link to relevant section/transcript needed]</ref>
<ref name="CookSpatialWWDC">Apple Newsroom (Jun 5 2023). “Introducing Apple Vision Pro: Apple’s first spatial computer.” https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2023/06/introducing-apple-vision-pro/ </ref>
<ref name="DurrantWhyteSLAM">Durrant-Whyte, H., & Bailey, T. (2006). "Simultaneous localization and mapping: Part I." *IEEE Robotics & Automation Magazine*, 13(2), 99-110. doi:10.1145/1476589.1476683</ref>
<ref name="DurrantWhyteSLAM">Durrant‑Whyte, H. & Bailey, T. (2006). “Simultaneous localization and mapping: Part I.” *IEEE Robotics & Automation Magazine*, 13(2), 99‑110. https://doi.org/10.1109/MRA.2006.1638022 </ref>
<ref name="CogentSLAM">Cogent Infotech (Jan 1, 2025). "Spatial Computing: The Next Frontier in Digital Transformation." Cogent Blog.</ref>
<ref name="CogentSLAM">Cogent Infotech (Jan 1 2025). “Spatial Computing: The Next Frontier in Digital Transformation.” https://www.cogentinfo.com/resources/spatial-computing-driving-the-next-wave-of-digital-transformation </ref>
<ref name="UnityRef">Unity Technologies. (2023). "Unity Engine." Retrieved from https://unity.com/</ref>
<ref name="UnityRef">Unity Technologies. (2023). "Unity Engine." Retrieved from https://unity.com/</ref>
<ref name="NvidiaSpatialCloud">NVIDIA Glossary. "What Is Spatial Computing?" (accessed 2025).</ref>
<ref name="NvidiaSpatialCloud">NVIDIA Glossary (2025). “What Is Spatial Computing?” https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/glossary/spatial-computing/ </ref>
<ref name="ArgoDesign Medium">ArgoDesign Medium (Example ref for Ambient). "Ambient Computing, Explained." [URL needed]</ref>
<ref name="ArgoDesign Medium">Jon Kolko (Sept 1 2022). “Spatial Computing: A Primer.” *Medium (argo‑design)*. https://argodesign.medium.com/spatial-computing-a-primer-b7df9da6f663 </ref>
<ref name="SpatialDesign">Example: "How Spatial Computing is Transforming Design", Forbes, [Date and URL needed]</ref>
<ref name="SpatialDesign">Forbes Technology Council (Jun 8 2021). “How Spatial Computing Can Change Life and Work.” *Forbes*. https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2021/06/08/how-spatial-computing-can-change-life-and-work/ </ref>
<ref name="SpatialHealthcare">Example: "Spatial computing in healthcare: The future of medicine?", Medical Futurist, [Date and URL needed]</ref>
<ref name="SpatialHealthcare">Adam Stone (Apr 12 2024). “Spatial Computing: What Healthcare IT Leaders Need to Know.” *HealthTech Magazine*. https://healthtechmagazine.net/article/2024/04/spatial-computing-healthcare-perfcon </ref>
<ref name="ChenAR Surgery">Chen, L., et al. (2020). "Augmented reality in surgical navigation: A review." *International Journal of Computer Assisted Radiology and Surgery*, 15(8), 1357-1367. doi:10.1007/s11548-020-02192-5</ref>
<ref name="ChenAR Surgery">Chen, L., et al. (2020). "Augmented reality in surgical navigation: A review." *International Journal of Computer Assisted Radiology and Surgery*, 15(8), 1357-1367. doi:10.1007/s11548-020-02192-5</ref>
<ref name="BaccaAR Education">Bacca, J., et al. (2014). "Augmented reality trends in education: A systematic review." *Educational Technology & Society*, 17(4), 133-149.</ref>
<ref name="BaccaAR Education">Bacca, J., et al. (2014). "Augmented reality trends in education: A systematic review." *Educational Technology & Society*, 17(4), 133-149.</ref>
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<ref name="LaValleVRBook">LaValle, S. M. (2020). *Virtual Reality*. Cambridge University Press.</ref>
<ref name="LaValleVRBook">LaValle, S. M. (2020). *Virtual Reality*. Cambridge University Press.</ref>
<ref name="VisionProPrice">Apple. (2023). "Apple Vision Pro Pricing." Retrieved from https://www.apple.com/shop/buy-vision/apple-vision-pro</ref>
<ref name="VisionProPrice">Apple. (2023). "Apple Vision Pro Pricing." Retrieved from https://www.apple.com/shop/buy-vision/apple-vision-pro</ref>
<ref name="SpatialPrivacy">Example: "The Privacy Implications of Spatial Computing", Electronic Frontier Foundation, [Date and URL needed]</ref>
<ref name="SpatialPrivacy">Electronic Frontier Foundation (Dec 29 2022). “A Pivotal Year for the Metaverse and Extended Reality: 2022 in Review.” https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2022/12/pivotal-year-metaverse-and-extended-reality </ref>
<ref name="WaPoAmbiguity">Shira Ovide (Feb 2, 2024). "Apple’s Vision Pro is ‘spatial computing.’ Nobody knows what it means." The Washington Post.</ref>
<ref name="WaPoAmbiguity">Shira Ovide (Feb 2 2024). “Apple’s Vision Pro is ‘spatial computing.’ Nobody knows what it means.” *The Washington Post*. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/02/02/apple-vision-pro-spatial-computing/ </ref>
<ref name="BuzzwordCritique">Example: Stratechery by Ben Thompson discussing Vision Pro terminology, [Date and URL needed]</ref>
<ref name="BuzzwordCritique">Ben Thompson (Jun 6 2023). “Apple Vision.” *Stratechery*. https://stratechery.com/2023/apple-vision/ </ref>
<ref name="HacklNotSynonym">Cathy Hackl (April 15, 2024). "What Is Spatial Computing and What Is the Role of AI in this New Computing Paradigm." ShortTake by Shorty Awards.</ref>
<ref name="HacklNotSynonym">Cathy Hackl (Apr 15 2024). “What Is Spatial Computing and What Is the Role of AI in this New Computing Paradigm.” *ShortTake Blog, Shorty Awards*. https://shortyawards.com/shorttake/what-is-spatial-computing-and-what-is-the-role-of-ai-in-this-new-computing-paradigm/ </ref>
<ref name="Qualcomm5GXR">Qualcomm. (2023). "The Future of XR with 5G." Retrieved from https://www.qualcomm.com/solutions/extended-reality</ref>
<ref name="Qualcomm5GXR">Qualcomm (2025). “Extended Reality (XR).” https://www.qualcomm.com/research/extended-reality </ref>
<ref name="AbovitzTrueAR">Rony Abovitz (Oct 16, 2023). "The State Of Play In Spatial Computing/XR In 2024." Medium.</ref>
<ref name="AbovitzTrueAR">Rony Abovitz (Oct 16 2023). “The State Of Play In Spatial Computing/XR In 2024.” *Medium*. https://medium.com/@rabovitz/the-state-of-play-in-spatial-computing-xr-in-2024-00f0622400da </ref>
<ref name="HacklIndependent">Independent UK article quoting Cathy Hackl on Vision Pro. [URL needed]</ref>
<ref name="HacklIndependent">Associated Press (Jun 5 2023). “Why Apple is pushing the term ‘spatial computing’ along with its new Vision Pro headset.” *The Independent*. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/apple-ap-san-francisco-tim-cook-zoom-b2489758.html </ref>
<ref name="KipmanMR">Alex Kipman statements on Mixed Reality. [URL needed]</ref>
<ref name="KipmanMR">Lauren Goode (Mar 2 2021). “Strap on a HoloLens and Step Into the AR Conference Room.” *WIRED*. https://www.wired.com/story/hololens-mesh-microsoft-ignite-2021/ </ref>
<ref name="MetaEMG">Meta Reality Labs research on EMG input. [URL needed]</ref>
<ref name="MetaEMG">Adario Strange (Mar 9 2021). “Facebook Finally Explains Its Mysterious Wrist Wearable.” *WIRED*. https://www.wired.com/story/facebook-wrist-wearable-human-computer-interactions </ref>
</references>
</references>


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