Editorial
In the past, the office building was the primary collaboration tool for teamwork. Leaders were confident that if they brought people together at the same time in the same location, work would progress.
Then came the pandemic, a global experiment in remote collaboration, which for the most part succeeded, often yielding positive results. Productivity increased and workers enjoyed greater flexibility. However, some leaders believed that culture and collaboration suffered.
Now, in the contemporary post-pandemic workplace, “hybrid” work has emerged as the prevailing model. The debate focuses on finding a balance between two poles: in-office or remote work.
But what if there were additional options? What if we explored a broader spectrum of work and collaboration modalities?
Enter: spatial computing.
Many are now familiar with virtual reality (VR), at least conceptually. This is just one aspect of what is broadly called "spatial computing." Augmented Reality (AR), Mixed Reality (MR), and Virtual Reality (VR) — collectively known as XR — expand the concept of hybrid workspaces, each offering unique opportunities in different ways.
So when we discuss "workspaces" today, it’s important to look beyond the binary choice of work at home or at the office. Spatial computing introduces a nuanced array of options in between. In doing so, spatial computing dismantles barriers regardless of physical location, enabling teams to collaborate in a shared space.
Beyond 3D Models of The Office: Immersive Experiences
"No way — I'm not wearing a headset all day in the office!"
We hear you loud and clear. The good news is that you don't have to. No one expects employees to be tethered to a headset for eight hours straight.
Instead, recognizing the appropriate times and places for spatial use is key. It's also crucial to understand that work conducted within spatial computing isn't confined to these virtual environments. Systems are now designed to integrate with other tools, allowing work to transition seamlessly out of virtual spaces.
Emerging applications of spatial computing are varied and innovative:
- Individual and Team Productivity: The use of a near-infinite number of virtual monitors enhances productivity.
- Enhanced Learning and Training: Immersive learning environments offer hands-on experience without real-world risks.
- Team Building and Connection: Using immersive environments strengthens team cohesion and interpersonal connections.
- Onboarding: Accenture uses VR for remote new hire orientation to offer an immersive introduction to the company.
- Process Optimization: Spatial computing can streamline interactions with machines, environments and people.
- Meditation: Headspace combines immersive meditation and mindfulness with the engaging nature of mixed and VR experiences.
- Digital Twins: Spatial computing brings digital twins to life, allowing engineers to interact with virtual models overlaid on physical systems for intuitive system performance analysis and collaborative design review.
These examples showcase the diverse and transformative potential of spatial computing in reshaping how we work, learn and connect, marking a significant evolution in the modern workplace.
It’s important to note that the integration of spatial computing into the workplace doesn't mean abandoning traditional work modes. You can still go into the office or work from home. But now you'll have more options to collaborate with your teams. It’s the purposeful use of spatial computing that matters, not replicating an office space for you to walk around in virtually.
Related Article: How Virtual Reality Can Power Immersive Learning
Benefits of Immersive Workspaces
The design of immersive spatial experiences draws more from the realms of movie and theme park design than conventional office layouts. It’s that thoughtful design of immersive experiences that provides a different level of engagement and interaction.
Creating storyboards for collaboration with a spatial computer helps in telling an overarching experiential story, enabling a comprehensive understanding of the interaction's various elements before the actual experience is crafted.
Immersive experiences hold the power to forge deep connections among team members, especially when in-person meetings are impractical. Spending a few hours in a meticulously crafted immersive environment can create a sense of shared experience unmatched by traditional remote collaboration tools.
Although it may not entirely replicate the nuances of face-to-face interaction, the brain's ability to forge emotional connections in virtual spaces can significantly narrow this gap, fostering a level of team bonding akin to physical meetings. In fact, studies show that emotional resonance is more critical than technical sophistication. In many cases, spatial experiences of lower fidelity, when designed with care and creativity, result in higher levels of user satisfaction.
Teams at Mural, for instance, have been leveraging spatial computing for team building and fostering deeper connections, designing several experiences around a campfire metaphor to encourage conversation and bonding.
The potential of spatial computing as a regular tool for collaboration is undeniable, though its timeline for widespread adoption remains uncertain. At its core, the immersive nature of spatial computing conveys a potent message, underscoring its capacity to enhance teamwork.
With this in mind, there are many overarching benefits of immersive collaboration spaces in professional settings:
- Removing constraints: Teams can transcend the limitations of their physical environments and tools, enjoying both the tangibility of physical space and the closeness of face-to-face communication, coupled with the advantages of digital technology.
- Increasing connection: VR's immersive qualities heighten participants' awareness of one another, fostering connections that rival those of in-person interactions.
- Accelerating problem-solving: The strategic design of these virtual spaces enhances comprehension, retention and alignment among team members.
- Bringing focus: In an era where attention is a scarce resource, VR offers a sanctuary from distractions, enabling deep work and ensuring the team's undivided focus.
The value of spatial computing in the workplace isn't solely measured by efficiency or productivity boosts. In some cases, it can even intentionally decelerate the pace of work in favor of focus and contemplation, providing a counterbalance to the rapid speeds of AI-driven tasks. This enriches the quality of human interactions and thought processes in the workplace.
Conference
Sep
16
HR Tech Conference Las Vegas 2025
Register
Conference
Oct
27
Gartner HR Symposium/Xpo Orlando 2025
Register
Getting Started With Spatial Computing in the Workplace
Integrating spatial computing into your organization's workflow may not move as fast as AI adoption. Expect a more gradual, deliberate integration.
Many companies already have frameworks for vetting new software and technologies, incorporating assessments of technology readiness and security measures. These are all good starting points. However, spatial computing introduces some specific considerations:
- Identify Uses and Scenarios: Spatial computing should not be indiscriminately applied but targeted where it can provide the most value. Identify scenarios where spatial computing can complement existing modes of collaboration and enhance productivity.
- Focus on Experience Design: Create content that resonates with your objectives and engages users. Storytelling is an integral part of crafting compelling spatial computing experiences. Don Carson, a VR design expert and former Disney Imagineer, emphasizes the importance of environmental storytelling in VR, where the design and layout of spaces should foster instant familiarity and relatability for users.
- Pilot Programs to Prove Effectiveness: Pilot programs allow organizations to gauge spatial computing's effectiveness in a controlled, manageable manner. These initial forays into spatial computing should focus on specific use cases and collecting valuable feedback from early users. This iterative process—where adjustments are made based on user experiences — helps fine-tune the approach before a broader rollout. Establish metrics to measure the impact and iterate based on the feedback.
In the end, getting started with spatial computing in the workplace requires a strategic approach that blends careful planning with flexibility and user-centered design. It won’t happen overnight.
Related Article: The Real Value of AR and VR For Business
Immersive Workspaces Are the Future of Work
The ongoing discourse surrounding hybrid work models is narrowly focused, often quibbling over whether employees spend two or three days in the office. Such debates miss the broader picture: the future of work offers way more options.
Leaders cannot — and should not — micromanage every team interaction. Their role is to cultivate an environment where healthy teamwork can flourish, starting with the creation of optimal spaces for collaboration.
As technology evolves, we can expect even more alternatives. Envisioning workplaces as fluid and adaptable, each mode with pros and cons, will be key. Recognizing the distinct advantages of in-office teamwork, remote teamwork, and now XR modes of work enriches our collaborative toolkit.
When appropriate, using spatial computing as an additional mode of collaboration can be advantageous. As Douglas Ferguson, president of Voltage Control, a consultancy specializing in facilitation and collaboration, aptly puts it, "A headset is cheaper than a flight."
As we reflect on the evolution away from the monolithic, office-based workstyle of the past toward the rich, diverse landscape of spatial computing, it's clear that the future of work is not just about where we work, but how we connect, collaborate and create within these new dimensions. Embracing these advancements enables us to transcend traditional limitations, offering a glimpse into a future where our collaborative potential is boundless, and every interaction is an opportunity to innovate and deepen connections.
Learn how you can join our contributor community.
