Extended Reality: Tech in Use

Augmented reality?(AR),?mixed reality?(MR), and virtual reality?(VR) are types of?extended reality?(XR) technologies that have gained immense popularity in recent years.

Although they are often mentioned together, there are significant differences between these technologies that are worth exploring.

?? AR (Augmented Reality)

Overlays digital information?onto the real world, allowing users to interact with the digital and physical environments?simultaneously. AR is often used in mobile apps and wearable technology, such as smart glasses, to enhance the user’s experience.

?? MR (Mixed Reality)

Blends elements?of AR and VR to create a?hybrid experience?where?digital objects?and the?real world?coexist?and?interact?with each other?in real time. MR uses sensors and cameras to understand the physical environment and add digital information accordingly.

?? VR (Virtual Reality)

Immerses?users in a?completely digital environment, creating a simulated experience?that is entirely?separate?from the?physical world. VR typically requires a headset and hand controllers to interact with the digital environment.

?? XR (Extended Reality)

Is an?umbrella term?used to describe?all types of extended reality technologies, including AR, MR, and VR. XR refers to the continuum of experiences that range from entirely physical to entirely digital.

?? But do you know how these technologies can be used in practice?

Here are some examples of their applications

???AR?

Is being used in various industries to enhance the user’s experience. For example, in the?retail industry, AR can be used to allow customers to try on clothes virtually before making a purchase. In the?healthcare industry, AR can be used to train medical professionals by providing them with?virtual simulations.

Wanna Kicks, Snapchat lenses, IKEA Place, and Google Maps’ AR mode are all examples of AR products. Wanna Kicks and Snapchat lenses use AR to overlay digital objects onto the real world, while IKEA Place lets users visualize how furniture would look in their home and Google Maps’ AR mode provides directions overlaid onto the camera view of the real world.

???MR

Combines elements of both AR and VR. MR is being used in the?gaming industry to create more immersive gaming experiences. It can also be used in the architecture?and?design industries?to provide architects and designers with a virtual workspace?where they can create and manipulate 3D models in real time.

Microsoft HoloLens and Magic Leap One are two examples of MR products. Both devices use spatial computing to overlay digital objects onto the real world but with a greater degree of interaction and immersion than AR. For example, Microsoft HoloLens allows users to interact with holographic objects as if they were real, while Magic Leap One uses a photonic light field to create realistic 3D digital objects.

???VR

Is being used in?various industries, including?entertainment,?education, and healthcare. In the?entertainment industry, VR can be used to create immersive gaming and?movie?experiences. In the?education industry, VR can be used to create virtual simulations that allow students to experience historical events or scientific concepts in a more engaging way. In the?healthcare industry, VR can be used to provide patients with virtual therapy and pain management.

Oculus Quest, HTC Vive, and PlayStation VR are examples of VR products. These devices provide a fully immersive virtual reality experience, transporting users to a completely digital environment. Users can interact with the virtual world using controllers or hand tracking.

???XR

As an umbrella term that encompasses all the various forms of immersive technologies, including AR, MR, and VR, XR Tech can be used in any industry and in everyday life.?It can be used in: Gaming and Entertainment, Education and Training, Healthcare, Sports, Fitness, and more.

XR is being used in the industrial and manufacturing?industries?to provide workers with virtual simulations that allow them to practice and perfect their skills in a safe and controlled environment.

Google Daydream, Samsung Gear VR, and Lenovo Mirage Solo are all examples of XR products. These devices are designed to work with both AR and VR applications, allowing users to switch between the two modes as needed. For example, users could use an AR application to visualize a piece of furniture in their real-world environment, then switch to a VR game to fully immerse themselves in a digital world.

AR overlays digital information onto the real world, while MR blends elements of AR and VR to create a hybrid experience, and VR immerses users in a completely digital environment.

All of these technologies fall under the umbrella term of XR, which refers to the continuum of experiences that range from entirely physical to entirely digital.

In summary, the field of XR technologies holds immense potential across multiple industries. From revolutionizing entertainment and gaming experiences to transforming education, healthcare, and manufacturing, XR is reshaping the way we interact with digital content and the physical world. We can expect even more innovative applications that will further enhance our lives and redefine the boundaries of the human experience as technology continues to evolve.