Sphere Technology

Sphere (formerly known as holo|one) offers spatial collaboration features, AR model visualization features, and AR work instruction creation and remote assistance features. The company’s device-agnostic software focuses on the manufacturing, automotive, healthcare and defense sectors. The company’s products include the following:

1) Sphere Collaborate offers spatial collaboration features for uses such as AR presentations, 3D design reviews, and employee onboarding alongside an integration with Microsoft Teams.

2) Sphere Train provides no-code web-based tools to create AR instructions for preventive maintenance and field service. The text instructions created can be anchored to real world objects, designed to allow an enterprise to remain GMP-compliant. 

3) Sphere Connect offers remote assistance features, allowing employees to communicate with remote assistants via an audio-visual stream. Other features include the addition of holographic annotations within a user's field of view and a privacy mode, allowing users to hide areas of their work spaces from remote assistants.

4) Sphere Build allows users to convert Building Information Modeling (BIM) data into 3D models, which can be overlaid over a user’s field of view. The product also allows users to switch between BIM layers in real time, such as architectural models, electrical models, and ventilation models. Furthermore, its ‘3D Asset Convertor Plus’ tool allows individuals to import levels and meta data directly into the XR application.

The company uses Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Spaces XR Developer Platform, a cross platform SDK, to support its AR use cases such as workflow guidance and life-size overlays.

Key customers and partnerships

Key customers include aerospace and engineering company RUAG (uses Sphere Collaborate), Semiconductor manufacturer Micron (uses Sphere Train), and ZF Group (uses Sphere Build).

Key partnerships include that with Amazon Web Services (AWS), which provides Sphere its cloud infrastructure to run its applications. The company also uses 1) AWS’ ‘Lookout for Vision’ ML service to detect defects and anomalies in manufacturing processes; 2) Amazon Translate, Transcribe, and Polly for live spatial-audio translations; and 3) AWS IoT Twinmaker to provide customers with real-time data insights.

The company also partnered with Safe Software in November 2022 to integrate key systems such as PLMs and CRMs.

Funding and financials

In March 2022, Sphere raised USD 8 million in a Series A funding round led by Micron Ventures. Funds were earmarked to further develop its platform.