AR and collaboration specialist Spatial has launched with a vision that connects remote workers as 3D avatars and allows dispersed teams to interactive with and manipulate shared models, documents, images, diagrams and more.
While VR and AR technologies are often aimed at consumers or deployed in entertainment fields, Spatial is bucking the trend with a platform squarely aimed at corporate environments.
The company was founded in 2016 by Anand Agarawala and Jinha Lee that have combined experience with tech giants Google, Microsoft and Samsung; as well as MIT.
The company is backed by high profile investors including iNovia Capital, Expa (founded by Garrett Camp), Lerer Hippeau, Leaders Fund, Samsung NEXT, as well as angels including Mark Pincus (founder of Zynga), Andy Hertzfeld (co-inventor of the Macintosh), and Joi Ito (director of the MIT Media Lab).
Avatars, created using just a 2D photograph, can effectively “teleport” a worker into another space, while meetings can be joined using HoloLens, MagicLeap, VR goggles, PCs or phones.
The 3D web browser, 3D models and other content can be controlled and manipulated with gesture control and work that is carried out in the shared area is automatically saved.