7 Spatial Computing Startups That Could Change Healthcare Forever

While Spatial computing is touted as the next big thing after the smartphone there is one industry that is already being impacted on a massive scale by this technology. Through the lens of AR, VR, and XR, startups are not just innovating but revolutionizing major parts of the healthcare industry. As these technologies weave their way into the fabric of medical practice, they promise a future where immersive experiences become as commonplace as the stethoscope.

A key driver of spatial computing’s adoption within healthcare is the extensive research that has highlighted its potential in mental health, evidenced by thousands of studies exploring its effectiveness in treating conditions like phobias, PTSD, stress, and depression. Beyond mental health, this research has expanded to include VR and AR applications in surgical support, training, and physical therapy, demonstrating the versatile and transformative impact of these technologies across various medical fields.

The latest forecast valued the XR Healthcare industry at $6 billion last year and the industry is expected to expand to $62 billion by 2032. The expected tenfold increase in investment in this tech over the next decade will have a transformative impact on what our hospital experiences will be like in the future.

This article profiles seven startups at the forefront of integrating spatial computing into healthcare, highlighting their unique innovations and the future they are helping to shape.

Osso VR

Overview: Osso VR is the leading clinically validated surgical training and assessment platform designed for medical device companies and practising surgeons of all skill levels.  Co-founded in 2016 by UCLA and Harvard-trained pediatric surgeon Justin Barad, MD, Osso VR has been the most celebrated virtual reality company in healthcare, earning multiple industry awards, including TIME Magazine’s Best Inventions.

Key Applications: Osso’s tech enables healthcare professionals to train on any procedure and to stay on top of the latest advancements in medical technology. Using cinema-quality VR, medical professionals are immersed in simulations and have a hands-on training environment that leads to real-world performance gains and improved outcomes.

Latest Developments: The company just brought on a new CEO as it builds its leadership position as the leading training and assessment platform for healthcare.

Potential Impact on the healthcare industry: Improving surgical accuracy by allowing surgeons to virtually practise and obtain feedback while not risking anyone’s life has never been possible before. This will become a standard practice for all hospitals in the future.

eXeX

Overview: eXeX, is a leader in artificial intelligence and spatial computing for surgical organisation and workflow optimisation. Their technology is used during surgical procedures making them safer, more efficient, and more accurate.

Key Applications: eXeX’s software offers nurses and technicians holographic and touch-free access to the surgical setup and the procedural guides from within the sterile field of the operating theatre,  granting them access to data and visualisation that was previously never available. The platform has significantly increased the efficiency of surgical delivery, with equipment and workflow accuracy, improving patient outcomes.

Latest Developments: The company just reported the first-ever surgery performed with the Apple Vision Pro spatial computer at Cromwell Hospital in the UK.

Potential Impact: Having an AI-powered assistant to guide surgeons and increase the accuracy and performance of operations will be a must-have in the future.

Applied VR

Overview: Applied VR is the leading pain management virtual reality company. The company received the first-ever FDA Breakthrough Therapy designation for a VR therapeutic in 2020. Since then the company has obtained full FDA approval,  insurance coverage and their treatments are used by 200 health systems and treated over 60,000 patients.

Key Applications: The company’s RelieVRx program is clinically validated self-guided, in-home program that consist of daily sessions using established pain management techniques such as body awareness, pain distraction, relaxation, and behavior modification all designed to help patients with pain relief.

Latest Developments: Pain is subjective and hard to measure outside of patient-reported outcomes but Applied VR using Kernel Flow Brain device showed that RelieVrx caused physiological changes in the body and brain.

Potential Impact on the healthcare industry: Chronic lower back pain patients typically take more medications than the average patient, which may include opioids. Opioids can cause side effects and complications such as addiction. Havng a non-drug insurance covered treatment can be a game changer for the 50 million people that experience this pain in the US alone.

XR Health

Overview: XRHealth is at the forefront of the healthcare revolution in the metaverse, integrating proprietary FDA-registered VR/AR applications with telehealth services. The company is dedicated to harnessing immersive technologies to enhance patient care, refine medical treatments, and deliver innovative solutions to a range of health challenges.

Key Applications: XR Health offers drug-free, personalised VR therapy for mental health, upper back, neck, shoulder pain, sports injuries, arm injury, chronic pain, or neurological issues – all from a VR device in patient’s homes. Their applications are designed to not only guide users but also measure their  movements. This is not possible with traditional therapy and their technology gives clinician actionable data.while making the therapy fun.

Latest Developments: XRHealth recently  announced it secured $6 million in funding, led by Asabys Partners, with participation from NOVA Prime Fund.

Potential Impact on the Healthcare Industry: XRHealth’s technology represents a significant evolution in treating conditions like anxiety and chronic pain, which often require long-term medication management. Their innovation could drastically reduce reliance on traditional medications for millions and represent a major leap forward in mental and neurological healthcare, marking a pivotal shift toward safer, technology-driven treatments.

Novobeing

Overview: Novobeing is the leading provider of spatial computing patient expereince solutions. Developed in partnership with Harvard’s research hospital and validated in extensive clinical trials, Novobeing is an effective tool for enhancing patient wellbeing and patient satisfction.

Key Applications: Novobeing’s platform enables patients to briefly escape the hospital and engage in science-backed programs that reduce stress and improve psychological well-being. With the company’s platform users are transported to serene settings where they can practice proven relaxation, therapeutic and mindfulness techniques, leading to measurable improvements in their wellbeing.

Latest Developments: Novobeing recently announced a strategic investment from Impact Assets, a leading impact investment fund. This funding should position the company to broaden its reach and deepen its impact in the industry.

Potential Impact on the Healthcare Industry: With the capacity to alter not just physical surroundings but also emotional state, this technology could dramatically improve the well-being of patients, making each hospital visit or stay less stressful and more therapeutic.

Rendever

Overview: Rendever is at the forefront of enhancing senior well-being through virtual reality. Their innovative technology is designed to create and share enchanting experiences that help overcome social isolation among the elderly.

Key Applications: Using Rendever’s platform, seniors can virtually attend events such as family weddings, grandkids’ soccer games, and holiday parties, which are captured on camera and uploaded for immersive viewing. The platform also offers group travel experiences, allowing seniors to explore bucket list destinations, revisit cherished places, and share stories, keeping them connected with family and engaged with life’s special moments.

Latest Developments: Rendever is establishing itself as the Spatial Computing leader in the senior living market and are now in use in over 500 senior living communities.

Potential Impact on the Healthcare industry: Data shows that 40% of senior living residents will experience depression or isolation during their stay, making this a modern mental health epidemic. Moving into a senior living community can make older adults feel as if their freedom is limited and with a large aging population Rendever could be transformative to the wellbeing of seniors around the world.

Floreo

Overview: Floreo is a spatial computing start up that teaches social, behavioural, communication and life skills to individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and related diagnoses. The company’s solution recieved FDA Breakthrough Therapy designation in 2023 and is poised to make a considerable impact to individuals with autism.

Key Applications: Floreo leverages virtual reality to offer an immersive therapy experience designed for neurodiverse individuals across all age groups, aiming to enhance their social, communication, behavioral, and life skills. Their VR therapy is grounded in rigorous research and evidence-based methods, is tailored for use in therapeutic, educational, or home settings, providing a secure and controlled environment for skill development.

Latest Developments: Floreo recently  announced the acquisition of Autism Eyes, an autism diagnostics and assessment company created by Cleveland Clinic Innovations. This aquisition also came with an investment from Cleveland Clinic’s investment fund helping cement the compayn as one of the  leading behavioral therapy virtual reality (VR) companies.

Potential Impact on the Healthcare Industry: There are more than 75 million people with autism spectrum disorder and they often face unique challenges that can make education and social integration difficult. Floreo’s virtual reality therapy could be transformative in addressing this need, offering a safe and controlled environment for individuals with autism to develop essential social, communication, behavioral, and life skills.

Conclusion

The fusion of healthcare and spatial computing not only promises to enhance the quality of life for patients but also establishes a new frontier in the effective management of health conditions through innovative, immersive experiences. As the healthcare industry continues to evolve, the application of these advanced technologies is set to expand dramatically.