Difference Between Augmented Virtual and Mixed Reality : You’ve probably heard the terms augmented reality, virtual reality, and mixed reality floating around, but it’s hard to keep track of what’s what. As these technologies become more popular, understanding the differences between them will help you figure out which one you want to try out. In this article, we’ll break down the unique features of augmented reality, virtual reality, and mixed reality in simple terms.
You’ll walk away knowing exactly how they differ from each other and we’ll give real world examples so you can picture the possibilities. With this knowledge in hand, you’ll be ready to decide if you want to play a virtual reality game, view augmented content on your phone, or create a mixed reality experience.
Defining Augmented Virtual and Mixed Reality
Augmented, virtual, and mixed reality are terms that are often used interchangeably, but they are actually quite different. Here’s a quick primer on how to distinguish between them:
Augmented Reality (AR)
Augmented reality overlays digital information on the real world. AR uses your current environment and augments it with computer-generated information. For example, the Pokémon Go app uses AR to show Pokémon characters in the real world through your phone’s camera. Other popular AR apps include Snapchat lenses and Instagram filters that add effects like dog ears or flower crowns to your face. In augmented reality, the real world is still fully visible, but it is enhanced or supplemented in some way.
Virtual Reality (VR)
Virtual reality immerses you in a completely digital experience. VR headsets block out the real world and replace it with a virtual world. Popular VR headsets include the Oculus Quest and HTC Vive. In virtual reality, the real world is invisible, and you are fully immersed in a simulated environment. VR is used for gaming, entertainment, education, training, and more.
Mixed Reality (MR)
Mixed reality blends the real world with the digital world. Like AR, mixed reality uses computer vision to map the real-world environment. But like VR, mixed reality also anchors digital objects to the real world and allows for interaction. Microsoft’s HoloLens is a popular mixed reality device. Mixed reality creates more immersive experiences by blending digital and physical realities. Objects can be manipulated, and the real world becomes an integral part of the experience.
In summary, AR supplements the real world, VR replaces it, and MR blends the two. While the terms are often confused, understanding the differences between augmented, virtual and mixed reality will help you navigate the ever-changing world of emerging technologies. Let me know if you have any other questions!
Key Differences Between Augmented, Virtual, and Mixed Reality
Augmented, virtual, and mixed reality are three technologies that are changing the way we interact with the digital world. While they are all forms of extended reality (XR), there are some key differences between the three:
Augmented Reality (AR)
Augmented reality overlays digital content on the real world. AR allows you to see computer-generated images overlaid on the real world. Think Pokemon Go, Snapchat filters or the furniture placement apps. AR enhances the real environment around you with digital information and media.
Virtual Reality (VR)
Virtual reality immerses you in a completely virtual world. VR blocks out the physical world and transports you to a fully digital experience. VR headsets like the Oculus Quest provide 360 degree immersion in a virtual environment. Popular uses of VR include gaming, entertainment, education, and simulation.
Mixed Reality (MR)
Mixed reality blends the virtual and real worlds. Also known as hybrid reality, mixed reality anchors virtual objects to the real world and allows for interaction between the two. With mixed reality, virtual objects are aware of the real world environment, and vice versa. Microsoft’s HoloLens is an example of mixed reality technology that provides holographic experiences. Mixed reality has applications in areas like design, training, and collaboration.
The key differences come down to how much of the real world is blocked out. VR fully immerses you in a virtual world, AR enhances the real world with virtual content, and MR blends virtual and real worlds together. While the technologies are evolving rapidly, these are the essential characteristics that differentiate augmented, virtual and mixed reality.
Examples of Augmented Reality – Pokemon Go, IKEA Catalog App
Pokemon Go is a popular mobile game that incorporates augmented reality. When you open the Pokemon Go app, it uses your phone’s camera and GPS to place Pokemon characters in the real world around you. You explore the real world around you to discover and catch virtual Pokemon creatures. It’s a fun way to get outside and go on an adventure in your own neighborhood.
Another useful example of augmented reality is the IKEA Catalog app. When you point your phone camera at pages in the IKEA catalog, the app brings some of the furniture to life. You can see virtual 3D models of couches, chairs, tables and more placed in your own home through your camera view. This helps you get a better sense of the size and style of IKEA furniture in your own space before you go buy it.
Augmented reality adds digital elements to the real world environment around you, enhancing your perception and interaction with the physical world. Unlike virtual reality, which creates a completely immersive digital experience, augmented reality blends the digital and physical worlds together. AR apps on your mobile device tap into your camera and sensors to overlay graphics, sounds and touch feedback onto the real world scenes in front of you.
Some other examples of augmented reality include:
• Snapchat filters – Add fun filters, lenses and effects that change your appearance or the world around you.
• Google Translate – Point your camera at text in another language and see the English translation overlaid on your screen.
• SkyView Free – Point your phone at the sky to see an overlay of constellations, stars, planets and satellites in real time based on your location and time.
• Anthropic AI Safety App – Learn how to stay safe around artificial intelligence systems using an augmented reality app.
Augmented reality is an exciting new technology with many practical and entertaining uses. As phones, tablets and smart glasses become more advanced, augmented reality apps and experiences will become even more immersive and integrated into our daily lives.
Examples of Virtual Reality – Oculus Rift, HTC Vive
Two well-known virtual reality headsets are the Oculus Rift and the HTC Vive. With these headsets, you can experience immersive virtual worlds and simulations.
The Oculus Rift is a virtual reality headset developed by Oculus, a subsidiary of Facebook. It has built-in headphones for audio and requires a connection to a high-end PC to power the virtual reality experiences. Some popular Oculus Rift games are Robo Recall, Lone Echo, and Brass Tactics. The Oculus Rift has been credited with reviving interest in virtual reality.
The HTC Vive is a virtual reality headset developed by HTC and Valve Corporation. Like the Oculus Rift, it requires a connection to a high-end PC. The HTC Vive is designed to utilize your living space for immersive experiences with its room scale tracking. It comes with two handheld controllers that allow you to interact with the virtual world. Some popular HTC Vive games are Half-Life: Alyx, The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners, and Superhot VR.
Virtual reality is an exciting new technology, but it does have some downsides. The headsets can be expensive, often several hundred dollars. They also require powerful PCs to run the experiences, which many people don’t have. Some people experience motion sickness or eye strain from using virtual reality headsets. The technology is still improving, but virtual reality shows a lot of promise for gaming, education, social connection, and more.
With major tech companies investing in virtual reality, the future looks bright. As headsets become more advanced, affordable, and accessible, virtual reality could transform how we learn, work, and interact with each other. The possibilities for this emerging technology seem endless. What kind of virtual worlds and experiences would you like to see?
Examples of Mixed Reality – Microsoft HoloLens, Magic Leap
Mixed reality blends the virtual and real worlds together, allowing digital objects to interact with the real environment. Two well-known mixed reality devices are the Microsoft HoloLens and Magic Leap.
The Microsoft HoloLens is a holographic computer built into a headset that lets you see, hear, and interact with holograms in the world around you. It runs the Windows Mixed Reality platform, which allows you to do things like view holographic images, play games, create art, or visualize architectural models in your real-world surroundings.
Magic Leap creates mixed reality technology that superimposes 3D computer-generated imagery over real world objects. Their Magic Leap One device is a lightweight, wearable computer that seamlessly blends the digital and physical worlds. The device allows you to interact with digital content and applications that can understand the space around you and surface information when and where you need it.
Some examples of what you can do with the HoloLens and Magic Leap One include:
-View and interact with 3D holograms of objects like the human anatomy for educational purposes.
-Play immersive games that blend into your real environment. Enemies can hide behind your furniture! -Visualize a 3D model of a product like a chair or table in your own space to see how it might look before buying.
-Follow interactive step-by-step holographic instructions to learn a new skill like changing a tire or performing CPR. -Meet with remote colleagues in a shared virtual workspace. Their holograms will appear in the room with you. -View virtual screens of any size on any wall. You can have multiple screens open and move them around.
Mixed reality is an exciting new technology with huge potential for both consumers and businesses. The HoloLens, Magic Leap One and future devices are making virtual interfaces and interactions more intuitive, immersive, and practical.
FAQ
Have some burning questions about augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and mixed reality (MR)? We’ve got you covered. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions to help clarify the differences between these emerging technologies.
What is the difference between AR and VR?
- AR overlays digital content on the real world, so you can still see your actual surroundings. VR immerses you in a completely virtual environment.
- AR uses your smartphone camera or a headset to project images onto the real world. VR uses a headset to block out your surroundings and transport you to a virtual world.
- With AR, the digital content enhances your experience of the real world. VR creates an entirely new experience that replaces the real world.
How is mixed reality different from AR and VR?
Mixed reality blends virtual objects into the real world, like AR, but the digital and physical objects can interact with each other. MR allows virtual objects to be placed in the real environment and respond based on where users move and look. Mixed reality is more immersive than AR but not as fully immersive as VR.
Some examples of MR include the Microsoft HoloLens, which displays holographic images that interact with the real world, and the Magic Leap One, which uses lightfield technology to seamlessly blend virtual lightfields into the real world.
What are some examples of AR, VR and MR?
- AR apps: Pokémon Go, Snapchat lenses, Google Translate
- VR platforms: Oculus Quest, HTC Vive, PlayStation VR
- MR devices: Microsoft HoloLens, Magic Leap One
These technologies are evolving rapidly, with new hardware and applications launching frequently. While they are primarily used today for gaming and entertainment, AR, VR and MR have huge potential for education, training, product design, healthcare, and more. The future is exciting!
Conclusion
At the end of the day, the differences between augmented, virtual, and mixed reality come down to how they combine the digital and physical worlds. Augmented reality adds graphics into your actual surroundings, virtual reality creates a whole new digital environment for you to explore, and mixed reality seamlessly blends together physical and virtual objects and lets you interact with both. There’s no definitive “best” type – it all depends on the experience you want to have.
But now you’ve got the AR vs VR vs MR lowdown, so you can geek out on the specifics and decide what tech sounds coolest for your next adventure, whether it’s slaying virtual dragons, getting a hologram cooking lesson from your fave celebrity chef, or seeing how that new sneaker drop looks via augmented reality as you walk down the street. The possibilities are seriously endless, so dive in and start exploring!
