Spatial Computing & Unity3D: Crafting Immersive Experiences
Spatial computing has existed for a longer time than many of us realize and it has become more popular with the announcement of Apple’s Vision Pro headset. However the Vision Pro is not the first spatial “spatial computer” on the market–the Hololens 2 and Magic Leap One came before the Vision Pro which gave Unity a head start on calibrating its spatial computing capabilities across various hardware devices.
According to TechTarget, spatial computing is a bundle of technologies that “can include IoT, digital twins, ambient computing, augmented reality, virtual reality, AI and physical controls.” Its purpose is to merge the virtual and physical worlds. Let’s explore how the Unity game engine and spatial computing are related.
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How Spatial Computing and Unity Work Together
Spatial computing uses sensors, cameras and depth perception to create interactive digital content that integrates with physical environments seamlessly. Through spatial mapping and object recognition, Unity enables the production of interactive and realistic digital content with the physical environment. Unity’s impressive physics and rendering systems provide a strong foundation for immersive spatial experiences. Apple also announced they are partnering with Unity as the official partners for development on their new Vision Pro headset. Developers can download the visionOS SDK here.
The Unity game engine has facilitated development that blends both of these worlds by way of virtual and augmented reality. Unity and spatial computing work together to develop these 3D immersive experiences. These experiences are versatile and have cross-platform capabilities. Unity’s end products can support PC, mobile, VR and AR which makes it the proper choice for spatial computing applications. CEO John Riccitiello of Unity Technologies states, “At the heart of all revolutionary and connective AR and VR experiences is great content, and that’s exactly what our platform enables creators to do as they unleash their creativity and bring their vision to life in gaming and beyond.”
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Challenges
Despite Unity being a seasoned game engine that’s been around for almost 2 decades, spatial computing by way of VR and AR still has its challenges. These gaps in capabilities are highlighted by Apple’s Vision Pro release. Naturally, Apple has set consumer expectations very high by promising cutting edge features and immersive experiences, unlike any headset. Smooth performance, reducing latency, enhancing user comfort, and adapting to different hardware configurations are constant challenges for Unity. According to XRToday, Unity’s improvements to the XR Interaction Toolkit are improving in-demand features such as eye tracking, hand tracking, body tracking and other biofeedback that work in tandem with hardware.
The relationship between spatial computing and Unity is transforming the way we build and engage with immersive digital content. Spatial computing is a technology that relies on several other components in order to be seamlessly executed and it’s a matter of time until all elements reach a level of maximum efficiency. Mixed reality is a complex technology that encompasses other tools and platforms to work efficiently. For example, echo3D, offers 3D asset management on the cloud to provide faster and more scalable 3D apps. The Vision Pro will help bridge the gap faster in order to bring XR to the masses.
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echo3D (www.echo3D.com) is a 3D asset management platform that enables developers to manage, update, and stream 3D, AR/VR, Metaverse, & Spatial Computing content to real-time apps and games.
