What is "Spatial" about Spatial Computing?

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Wang, Yibo, Luo, Yuhan, Cho, Janghee, Yu, Junnan
Format: Preprint
Published: 2025
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_version_ 1866914012852125696
author Wang, Yibo
Luo, Yuhan
Cho, Janghee
Yu, Junnan
author_facet Wang, Yibo
Luo, Yuhan
Cho, Janghee
Yu, Junnan
contents Recent advancements in geographic information systems and mixed reality technologies have positioned spatial computing as a transformative paradigm in computational science. However, the field remains conceptually fragmented, with diverse interpretations across disciplines like Human-Computer Interaction, Geographic Information Science, and Computer Science, which hinders a comprehensive understanding of spatial computing and poses challenges for its coherent advancement and interdisciplinary integration. In this paper, we trace the origins and historical evolution of spatial computing and examine how "spatial" is understood, identifying two schools of thought: "spatial" as the contextual understanding of space, where spatial data guides interaction in the physical world; and "spatial" as a mixed space for interaction, emphasizing the seamless integration of physical and digital environments to enable embodied engagement. By synthesizing these perspectives, we propose spatial computing as a computational paradigm that redefines the interplay between environment, computation, and human experience, offering a holistic lens to enhance its conceptual clarity and inspire future technological innovations that support meaningful interactions with and shaping of environments.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2508_20477
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle What is "Spatial" about Spatial Computing?
Wang, Yibo
Luo, Yuhan
Cho, Janghee
Yu, Junnan
Human-Computer Interaction
H.5.1; H.5.2; H.2.8
Recent advancements in geographic information systems and mixed reality technologies have positioned spatial computing as a transformative paradigm in computational science. However, the field remains conceptually fragmented, with diverse interpretations across disciplines like Human-Computer Interaction, Geographic Information Science, and Computer Science, which hinders a comprehensive understanding of spatial computing and poses challenges for its coherent advancement and interdisciplinary integration. In this paper, we trace the origins and historical evolution of spatial computing and examine how "spatial" is understood, identifying two schools of thought: "spatial" as the contextual understanding of space, where spatial data guides interaction in the physical world; and "spatial" as a mixed space for interaction, emphasizing the seamless integration of physical and digital environments to enable embodied engagement. By synthesizing these perspectives, we propose spatial computing as a computational paradigm that redefines the interplay between environment, computation, and human experience, offering a holistic lens to enhance its conceptual clarity and inspire future technological innovations that support meaningful interactions with and shaping of environments.
title What is "Spatial" about Spatial Computing?
topic Human-Computer Interaction
H.5.1; H.5.2; H.2.8
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2508.20477