Mirra

Shaping the Future of Spatial Computing

Introduction

In 2016, as the extended reality (XR) landscape began to take shape, Kei saw an opportunity to redefine digital interaction. Our collaboration with Mirra wasn't just about creating another XR platform—it was about democratizing the future of spatial computing.

The XR market stood at a critical juncture. PwC projected that by 2030, nearly 23.5 million jobs worldwide would incorporate AR and VR technologies. Yet, the tools to create these experiences remained in the hands of a select few. Mirra aimed to change that paradigm, making XR creation as accessible as website building.

The Vision: Democratizing XR

Mirra represented more than a technological advancement; it embodied a vision of inclusivity in the digital frontier. Kevin Farnham, a Kei partner, articulated this vision:

This vision aligned with a growing demand for accessible XR tools across sectors—from education and healthcare to manufacturing and entertainment. The challenge lay in bridging the gap between complex technology and user-friendly design.

The Challenge: Simplifying Complexity

The 2016 XR landscape was uncharted territory, devoid of established design patterns or interaction paradigms. Our team faced the formidable task of distilling complex 3D design capabilities into an intuitive interface.

"We were crafting a new language for spatial computing. Every interaction, menu, and gesture needed to be both intuitive and powerful enough for complex 3D designs"

This challenge exemplified Kei's holistic problem-solving approach. We looked beyond the user interface, considering the entire ecosystem of XR creation—from concept to cross-platform deployment.

A 2022 Unity survey highlighted a critical industry obstacle: 55% of AR/VR professionals cited a lack of quality content as a significant barrier to XR adoption. Mirra aimed to address this by lowering the barrier to entry for content creation.

A Human-Centered Approach

Kei's human-centered methodology was pivotal in making Mirra accessible to a diverse user base. We conducted extensive user testing with early adopters, using real-world feedback to iteratively refine the platform.

This process yielded key innovations like platform-agnostic publishing, allowing creators to deploy across multiple XR platforms seamlessly. By focusing on actual user needs and pain points, we ensured Mirra would be both powerful and practical.

Building for the Future

Mirra's development was guided by a forward-looking perspective. We designed the platform with extensibility at its core, anticipating future advancements in AI-driven procedural environment creation. A system architect on the project explained:

"We weren't just building for today's needs. We were laying the groundwork for the next generation of spatial computing tools."

By building flexibility into Mirra's DNA, we positioned it not just as a tool, but as a platform ready to evolve with the rapidly advancing XR field.

Impact and Legacy

Mirra's impact reverberated across industries, with its adoption by major organizations including The World Bank, SFMOMA, Logitech, and NBC Universal serving as a testament to its versatility and effectiveness.

At its core, Mirra democratized access to XR technology, opening up the field of creation to non-technical users and significantly expanding the pool of potential creators. This accessibility had a profound effect on development timelines, with projects that once took months now being completed in a matter of weeks. The platform's versatility led to its adoption across a diverse range of fields, from education and art to urban planning and scientific visualization, each finding unique ways to leverage Mirra's capabilities.

The educational sector, in particular, saw remarkable potential in Mirra's technology. A study published in the Journal of Educational Computing Research highlighted the transformative impact of VR-enhanced learning, with students showing a 20% improvement in post-test scores compared to traditional methods. This finding underscored the vast potential of XR in revolutionizing educational approaches and outcomes.

Industry observers took note of Mirra's game-changing approach. As VR Scout noted:

The democratization of XR creation facilitated by Mirra is paving the way for more diverse and innovative applications of spatial computing across various sectors. As the technology continues to evolve and find new applications, the groundwork laid by Mirra ensures that the future of XR will be shaped not just by a select few, but by a broad and diverse community of creators. This inclusivity promises to drive innovation and push the boundaries of what's possible in spatial computing, potentially transforming how we interact with digital environments in ways we've yet to imagine.

Lessons for the Future

The Mirra project reinforced key principles that continue to guide Kei's approach to emerging technologies:

These lessons have broad implications, informing our approach to challenges beyond XR, from AI integration to sustainable technology development.

Conclusion

As spatial computing continues to evolve, Mirra stands as a testament to the power of thoughtful, comprehensive design in shaping human-computer interaction. A Kei partner summarized:

The project showcases Kei's ability to navigate complex technological landscapes while maintaining a laser focus on user needs and future trends. As XR technologies find new applications across industries, the principles and approaches developed during the Mirra project continue to inform and guide the development of accessible, powerful tools for spatial computing.

Mirra isn't just a platform; it's a blueprint for democratizing emerging technologies, ensuring that the future of digital interaction is open to all.