Introduction

Spatial computing is now deeply integrated into daily life. It guides us through cities, daily use of social media filters, and virtual environments with seamless precision. Since remote work became mainstream in the early 2020s, hybrid collaboration has redefined how we communicate and create together. Our interactions with technology have evolved from external control to immersive engagement, using wearables, mixed-reality headsets, and spatial interfaces. This maturing era of embodied computing continues to expand how we experience reality and inspires new possibilities that push beyond our current understanding. The potential for embodied computing is vast, including treatments, remote work, training, entertainment, and exploration. However, it is up to us to determine whether these technologies are used for good or bad. As we continue to develop and advance these devices, we must consider their impact on our perceptions, emotions, values, and narratives. This book is an attempt to explore the complexity of navigating these steps in a direction that embraces the best of us. We want to ask difficult questions, be curious about other perspectives, and engage as many people as possible in this work. Authors Reginé and Doug have 15 years of combined experience working with AR and VR. Doug is a developer, educator, and creative director, while Reginé is an educator, researcher, and consultant. We wrote this book to shed light on the technological shift taking place, and emphasize the importance of ethics, human–computer interaction, storytelling, technology, privacy, accessibility, and universal design.