What is Spatial Collaboration?
With teams working across the globe, and projects gaining more complexity, our approach to the way we work needs to change. This is where Spatial Collaboration comes in, leveraging immersive technologies like AR and VR to create shared digital spaces. This enables co-creation, reviews and interactions, in real-time no matter where they are.
This goes beyond screen sharing or video conferencing. The objective is to create a sense of presence and shared space for people to work together.
A Look at Spatial Collaboration in XR
Spatial collaboration refers to people working together in digital spaces that feel like real places. Think of it as using AR (augmented reality) or VR (virtual reality) to let people work with digital elements, talk to each other, and walk around a space together, even if they're on opposite sides of the world.
This changes how we work together because it gets rid of location constraints and makes teamwork feel more natural. It's great for design, training people, running simulations, and field support.
How Spatial Collaboration Functions in AR and VR
Spatial collaboration uses AR and VR along with cloud-based services and motion tracking to create a shared space. These tools enable the reflection of user gestures, voice, and object interactions in real time, which helps simulate a shared physical presence.
Key Components of Spatial VR Collaboration
In VR, teams can work with each other within completely virtual 3D spaces. People show up as avatars, move around, and work with digital models or virtual whiteboards. Platforms support common design file formats and offer voice spatialization, version history, and multi-user sync. They usually also allow you to manipulate objects, brainstorm, and annotate within the environment, mirroring real-life workflows.
How AR Makes Spatial Collaboration Possible
Spatial AR collaboration involves overlaying virtual elements on real-world settings. Devices like HoloLens 2 and Magic Leap 2 can help achieve this. For instance, a distributed team can view a full-scale engine on a shop floor and discuss changes while seeing the same thing in the same location (Source).
This collaboration connects people in a way that makes sense making AR spatial collaboration helpful for architecture, field servicing and asset planning.
What Powers AR and VR Spatial Collaboration
For VR collaboration, headsets such as the Meta Quest 3, the HTC Vive XR Elite, or the Apple Vision Pro work well, as long as they have the right software that supports multi-user interactions and data sync (Source).
AR needs devices with spatial mapping capabilities, which is why devices with LiDAR or depth sensors are good for spatial AR collaboration (Source). Most platforms require a stable internet connection, strong GPU performance, and interoperability with other systems for cross-platform collaboration.
Real-World Impact of Spatial Collaboration
Spatial collaboration is pushing teams across industries to revisit how they interact with data, make decisions, and onboard new members. Here are a few use cases.
Engineering and Design Feedback
Product teams are using spatial collaboration to examine 3D models at scale, identify design gaps and iterate in real-time. Instead of looking at CAD models on a screen, people can walk through a full-sized model, simulate interactions, and co-create features on the spot.
This process is being used across automotive, aerospace, and electronics manufacturing to cut down on review cycles and improve quality (Source).
Onboarding New Employees
In fields like shipping, healthcare, and manufacturing, spatial VR collaboration makes impactful training possible without needing to bring people to a physical location. Teams can practice processes, use virtual machines, or run through simulated crisis situations. It's a better way to learn than slideshows or videos.
Teamwork and Choices Across the Globe
Teams that work in different countries are using spatial collaboration in place of video calls. Platforms like Spatial.io and Microsoft Mesh act as spatial collaboration portals where everyone can talk about files, images, and tasks and make real-time changes. Creating a sense that everyone is in the same place helps teams focus and work together better.
Spatial collaboration generally brings in clarity and prevents misunderstandings. When people view content from a similar lens, it speeds up planning and decision-making.
The Future of Spatial Collaboration
The spatial collaboration market is changing quickly. With AI, enhanced hand tracking, and syncing across devices getting better each year, these tools are going from rare to needed.
Expect spatial collaboration to work in normal web browsers, turn speech into text in real time, and keep rooms the same way they were left. That means a team can stop in the middle of talking about a model and pick up where they left off hours (or days) later.
As companies get bigger and work from across locations, spatial collaboration will be a normal part of meetings, designing, and iterating. It makes distance not as much of a challenge while preserving face-to-face interaction.
Spatial collaboration is transforming the way teams connect and create. From exploring products in virtual reality to receiving real-time AR support on-site, these technologies offer a unique, immersive experience. XR companies that embrace spatial VR and AR collaboration and invest in spatial collaboration portals today likely to be more aligned, efficient, and future-ready.
Want to Know More About Spatial Collaboration for Your Work?