Abstract:
Spatial computing is a new computing paradigm that utilizes the unique properties of space to guide the calculation process, based on three-dimensional principles, with a people-oriented approach, connecting and integrating the virtual world and the real world. In the report, we first give a brief introduction about spatial computing, including the technology definition, the development process, the global policy situation and application. Then we analyze the spatial computing industry from the perspectives of technical processes and industrial chains, and further conducts in-depth research and positioning on the global market status and research progress.
Space computing and digital twins are fundamental technologies for building the metaverse to create a more realistic, open, and interactive virtual world. Here is their differences and connections. For industry analysis of digital twins, please refer to the "Atlas of the Digital Twin Industry"[ “Atlas of the Digital Twin Industry” is a research report produced by the Research Center for Sci-Tech and Finance, PBCSF, Tsinghua University, 2024 series.]. Spacial computing is a computing paradigm that utilizes spatial and environmental perception technologies to combine digital information with physical space, creating an interactive experience that is more integrated with the real world. However, digital twin is a virtual model that collects and integrates data from real-world objects or systems to reflect their state, behavior and performance in real-time, which can simulate their future development and behavior. Spacial computing provides the ability to combine digital information with physical space, while digital twins provide the ability to simulate and manage physical systems.
The application scenarios of spatial computing include retail, remote education, advertising, games, healthcare, military, demonstration, training, tourism, etc., providing users with a more immersive, interactive, and closely integrated computing experience with the real world. Spatial computing also plays a role in warehouse automation, autonomous vehicle and supply chain automation.
From technical perspective, the upstream of the spatial computing technology chain is the collection of spatial data. Spacial data can be divided into scene data, grid data, and depth data, which are collected based on structured light sensors, Time of flight sensors, etc. The midstream includes spatial data processing, spatial data display. Spatial data processing involves spatial computing chips, machine learning, and data processing algorithms to achieve functions such as spatial positioning, motion tracking and gesture interaction. Spacial data display is mainly divided into optical devices and display screens in hardware, and algorithms include scene rendering, environment mapping, virtual and real integration, etc. Downstream is interaction using spatial data, hardware is the terminal, and software includes operating systems, development tools and content application parts.
From industrial perspective, the core technologies are concentrated in the upper and middle of the spacial computing industrial chain. In terms of hardware, including the manufacturing of sensors, chips, and optical components. In terms of algorithms, including technologies such as dynamic environment modeling, real-time 3D graphics generation, and spatial positioning. China's advantages lie in the manufacturing of optical components and display screens, software development, and content creation.
From sector perspective, there are many leading international companies in spatial computing, with international enterprise technology platforms including Microsoft, Meta, Magic Leap, Google, Apple, Nreal, etc. There are relatively few leading domestic companies, such as PICO, pgverse, deepmirror, Virtual Point, etc. But China plays an important role in some aspects of the spacial computing industry chain, such as sensors: Will Semiconductor, TuMEMS; In terms of optical devices, such as Lante Optics, CrystalOptech, and Will Semiconductor; In terms of display screens: Leyard, Aoto, AMEC, Jingce Electronics, etc; In terms of chips: GravityXR, Zhixing Wujie, Rockchip, etc; In terms of whole machine OEM: Goertek, Wingtech Technology, Zhaowei Machinery & Electronic, Evenwin Precision Technology, etc; In terms of development tools: Huawei, iQiyi, etc; In terms of content: Tencent, NetEase, Fengyuzhu, etc. With the rise of the metaverse and the commercial success of Meta in consumer grade space computing, China's spacial computing market has ushered in a second wave of growth, with Huawei, Xiaomi, and OPPO launching spacial computing products one after another.
From scientific research perspective, Chinese researchers in the field of spacial computing tend to focus their efforts on a certain link in the industry chain, rather than covering the entire process, mainly on optical hardware, visual algorithms and content.
Full Text: Atlas of the Spatial Computing Industry
