The potential of Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality in gaming, marketing, e-commerce, education, and other fields is quite exciting. Both are well-known for the superior user experience they provide by fusing the virtual and physical worlds in stunning 3D. The two are often confused with one another, but there are important distinctions between them.
In today’s increasingly digital world, augmented and virtual reality have become more significant. Both terms are commonly used interchangeably despite their distinct meanings about distinct technologies. What differences and similarities exist between AR and VR?
What is Augmented Reality (AR)?
Because anyone with a smartphone can access it, augmented reality is superior to virtual reality as a marketing and gaming tool. Using a phone’s camera or video viewer, augmented reality (AR) transforms the everyday, real-world environment into a vibrant, visual one. The purpose of augmented reality is to supplement the user’s existing environment.
Augmented Reality (AR)—how does it work?
Unlike virtual reality, augmented reality overlays digital information onto the physical world around the user. Mapping, depth tracking, and computer vision all play important roles here. Cameras, for instance, can record and process all data in real time. This enables the presentation of digital content at the time of the user’s choosing.
To make full use of AR, specialized hardware is required. Smart glasses, for instance, are commonly used and supply information by way of dedicated software.
What is Virtual Reality (VR)?
Virtual reality uses these same building blocks to create a convincing simulation of a different world entirely in software. These simulations can transport players to almost any setting they imagine using technology like computers, sensors, headsets, and gloves.
How does virtual reality (VR) function?
Virtual reality aims to create a convincing illusion of an alternative world. A virtual reality (VR) screen allows users to experience and engage with a computer-generated environment. This requires a pair of lenses between the eye and the display. They pick up on eye movements and modify the virtual reality experience accordingly. In this case, the user needs a lot of hardware to completely block out the outside world.
What are the main differences between Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality?
Despite their similarities in construction, Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality are used for very different purposes and produce very different results. Augmented reality complements your existing vision, while virtual reality supplants it. It all comes down to the tools and the nature of your experience.
- AR occurs in the real world instead of in VR’s artificial environment.
- Augmented reality users can manage their physical presence, while virtual reality users are at the mercy of technology.
- AR can be accessed with a smartphone, while VR requires a headset.
- In contrast to virtual reality, augmented reality improves both the virtual and physical worlds.
Both are advanced technologies with significant untapped potential for improving people’s daily lives. Both have the potential to radically alter our use of computers in the not-too-distant future, but which will prevail is currently anyone’s guess.
Some Real-World Uses for Augmented and Virtual Reality
Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality are already being used in many different fields. Industries such as teaching and medicine, production and distribution, building and development, and property management are examples.
Nike’s retail locations feature Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality technology. Customers can learn more about the manufacturing process by scanning Nike products such as shoes and clothing or by entering a virtual reality world and experiencing the various stages of Nike’s supply chain.
Virtual reality (VR) can help medical professionals prepare for various roles in the operating room, including those of a junior doctor explaining a diagnosis and treatment plan to a patient or an orthopedic surgeon performing the procedure.
Mixed Reality: Finding a Balance
Initially, Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality were separate concepts, but now they have combined into a new range of reality-altering technology known as mixed reality. Mixed reality (MR) combines augmented reality and virtual reality, where virtual objects interact with real-life objects in your physical surroundings.
You can engage in virtual calls and 3D interactions on essential subjects, regardless of whether you have a computer screen to access mixed-reality content. This can be done from anywhere and anytime.
