Spatial Anchors Are Ready—Is Your Enterprise?

As spatial computing shifts from possibility to practicality, one enabling technology is quietly powering this transformation: spatial anchors. These tools allow digital content to persist in physical space and enable immersive, real-world experiences that span time, devices, and users.

From real-time AR overlays in logistics, to persistent signage in retail, to smart city infrastructure, spatial anchoring systems are foundational to the emerging spatial web. The question is no longer whether the technology is possible, but whether enterprises are ready to activate it.

The core technologies are already here—and they’re getting stronger. As Gartner notes in its 2025 report, Emerging Tech: The Future of Spatial Computing:

“This includes Apple’s iOS ARAnchor, Google’s ARCore Cloud Anchor API, Microsoft’s Azure Spatial Anchors, Niantic’s Visual Positioning System (VPS), and offerings from numerous small vendors. These technologies lower the technical barrier to adoption, although business barriers must still be addressed.”

Together, these platforms have made it possible for enterprises to deliver persistent, multi-user spatial experiences without building complex localization and mapping systems from scratch. Niantic’s VPS enables centimeter-accurate localization in outdoor environments, setting a new standard for scalable, real-world spatial computing.

Despite these advancements, enterprise adoption remains limited—not because the tools aren’t ready, but because the business infrastructure isn’t yet in place.

According to Gartner, the primary challenges are no longer technical, but organizational and strategic:

“Barriers include data integration and availability, platform and hardware fragmentation, unclear business models, and an uncertain value proposition.”

Many organizations are still grappling with key questions:

• Who owns spatial computing internally—engineering or product?

• How will ROI be measured?

• What happens when platform dependencies create friction across ecosystems?

• How can businesses scale from pilot to production?

Even as spatial anchor technologies advance, these business uncertainties have slowed momentum, especially for companies waiting for clearer playbooks or proven models of success.

For enterprises willing to invest early, there is clear strategic upside. Digital experiences with spatial anchors can unlock new revenue, improve operations, and enhance customer engagement in industries from retail and manufacturing to infrastructure and public services.

As Gartner points out:

“Enterprises that begin laying the foundation today—by exploring spatial anchors, pilot use cases, and cross-functional integration—will be best positioned to capitalize on future spatial computing opportunities.”

Those who delay may find themselves at a disadvantage as the spatial web begins to mirror the early internet: a land grab for presence, visibility, and brand relevance in the physical world.

The takeaway for enterprise leaders is simple: the technology is ready, but strategy must catch up.

To move from proof-of-concept to scalable value, organizations must:

• Align internal teams across digital, product, and operations

• Partner with platforms and vendors that support open standards and future extensibility

• Define KPIs for spatial deployments tied to business outcomes

• Experiment in controlled environments with a clear path to scale

Spatial anchors are no longer experimental. They’re key infrastructure. The challenge now is business readiness.