THE NEXT DIMENSION

Emrich, a veteran of the augmented-reality technology industry, describes what he characterizes as a coming revolution in spatial computing, and explains how businesses may prepare for it.

According to the author, the new “Age of Spatial Computing” is almost upon us, the effects of which will be as radical as those produced by the preceding “Information Age.” A confluence of new technologies—including AR, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and the forthcoming ubiquity of computer sensors, he says—will blur the line between human experience and virtual reality. As a result, people’s use of technology may become more than just an adjunct to their analog experience, as they’ll be able to immerse themselves in a seamless amalgam of both. The implications for future business are extraordinary—a “new ecosystem of spatial computing devices,” especially wearable technology, will transform the commercial technology sector, Emrich asserts, noting that the nature of marketing and advertising, sales and shopping, and, indeed, the core of the consumer experience are poised to radically change. In this thoughtful, thorough survey, he details various strategies that he says business leaders must adopt to capitalize on the next tech revolution. He provides an overview of different tech already available or in the works, exploring possibilities in hardware and software. Also, he articulates some basic investment and monetization approaches, which add up to an “AR-centric strategy” for forward-thinking companies. Emrich has more than 15 years of experience in the space and his expertise is never in doubt in these pages; he communicates his industry knowledge in straightforward prose that even the least technologically savvy readers will find accessible. However, when he ventures beyond technological and entrepreneurial aspects, he can be vague; for instance, he insists, without a clear argument, that the convergence of the real and the virtual will make more “meaningful” experiences possible, allowing for people to “be fully present.” However, this remains an informative guide for tech-oriented businesspeople who want to prepare for the next wave.

A valuable primer on advances in spatial computing.