The Spaces Between Reality: Understanding Augmented, Virtual and Mixed Reality!

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We are providing an entry-level guide to understanding Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality applications, the differences between each, and how all of these experiences, when enabled, form what is known as mixed reality.

First things first, let’s define the term virtual. It can be used as an overall term to describe other technologies similar to, but different from, an actual Virtual Reality experience. Now more than ever the term virtual is becoming more synonymous with video conferencing i.e. Zoom calls, as opposed to actual immersive virtual environments with three Dimensional elements and interactive engagement.

The All-Encompassing Extended Reality!

The umbrella term that covers all of the various technologies that enhance our senses, whether they’re providing additional information about the actual world or creating totally unreal, virtually simulated worlds for us to experience. It includes Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR) technologies.

Reality on the Virtual Spectrum

Most augmented reality and virtual reality offerings available today represent a small part of the virtual spectrum and are considered an entry into a larger Mixed Reality offering which includes sound and movement. So these virtual experiences that are blending digital representations of people, places, and things are heavily dependent on the hardware you are using.

Most recently newer mobile phones on the market have upgraded processors, cameras, and increased environmental understanding capabilities. Along with faster data speeds like 5G, the experiences they offer can mix physical and digital realities smoother than ever before.

A Quick Look at AR vs VR

There is a common misconception that AR and VR are one and the same. So here are important differences between Augmented Reality vs. Virtual Reality side by side to better understand.

  • AR augments the real world in front of you whereas VR creates completely immersive virtual environments.
  • AR is 25% virtual and 75% real while VR is 75% virtual and 25% real.
  • In AR no headset is needed just a mobile device but you can use a glasses-type device to experience AR. On the other hand in VR, you need a headset device to experience the virtual world fully. There are web-based VR experience for your desktop or mobile device that use 3D environments.

What is Virtual Reality?

VR is the most widely known of these technologies. It is fully immersive, which challenges your senses into thinking you’re in a different environment or world altogether from the real world. Usually using a headset, you’ll experience a virtual world of 3D imagery and sounds in which you can manipulate objects and move around using controllers. Web-based or Screen-based versions of VR are available using your desktop and even though they are not as immersive they are extremely engaging.

Benefits of Virtual Reality

  • Immersive experiences and learning
  • Create an interactive realistic environment
  • Increases work capabilities due to realistic experiences
  • Experiment with an artificial environment

Challenges of Virtual Reality

  • VR is becoming more flexible, but in order to really experience it, you need to use a headset.
  • Only can be experienced by one person at a time due to the requirement of a headset.
  • The speed to market is not as quick as an augmented reality experience or web-based application.

What is Augmented Reality?

AR overlays digital information on real-world elements. Augmented reality keeps the real-world central but enhances it with other digital content, layering new elements, and supplementing your reality or environment. Right now AR is experienced using your mobile device such as a phone or tablet. Examples of Augmented Reality include social overlay filters, virtual wayfinding, product interaction, and games.

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Benefit of using Augmented Reality

  • Accessibility of AR technology on web and apps
  • Can be used in a wide variety of fields
  • Offers innovation and continuous improvement
  • Augmented reality can be used to increase user knowledge and information.
  • People can share experiences over long distances.

Challenges of Augmented Reality

  • Augmented reality can be seen as gimmicky
  • Extremely engaging but lacks the immersion of VR
  • Mobile technology has not caught up to the full capabilities of AR but it’s getting there.

What is Mixed Reality?

Mixed Reality brings together real world and digital elements, unlocking the links between human, computer, and environment interaction. MR allows you to see and immerse yourself in the world around you even as you interact with a virtual environment using your own. Providing the ability to have one foot in the real world, and the other in a virtual place, breaking down basic concepts between real and imaginary, offering an experience that can change the way you conduct business, game, and work today.

The border between the virtual and real-world continues to break down, providing breathtaking experiences. As mixed reality develops and more devices are released, businesses are adopting this innovative technology more widely.

Benefits of Virtual and Augmented Reality for Business

Virtual has been the “next big thing” for a while now, but its time has finally come as a way to generate realistic images, sounds, and other sensations in a cost-effective and accessible way. Augmented Reality is contributing to the growth engagement, and both technologies are becoming a big part of how we learn, digest, and interact with content and information.

Right now industries are utilizing these technologies to engage directly with customers or employees to elevate their offerings. The uses for training and development of employees and teams has been a well-known enterprise solution and allows employers to provide realistic and gamified interactions that are measured. This ensures that you are providing the best possible learning experiences for your employees.

Providing customers with AR products to try or explore has become a huge interaction point for retail allowing customers to engage, learn, and purchase all from one place. Even AR wayfinding for directions can be overlaid on your mobile device to help you get around a university campus or hospital.

A few major benefits to using these technologies are accessibility, scalability and the measurement of engagement to create better experiences for your audience and generate strong ROI for your business.

Examples of VR & AR in industries including:

  • Healthcare — For training, such as for surgical simulations
  • Film and TV — For movies and shows to create unique experiences
  • Virtual travel — For virtual trips to an art museum or specific destinations
  • Professional Sports — For training programs, fan interactions, Retail opportunities
  • Retail — Training, sales, and product marketing

The Takeaway

These technologies are maturing at a rapid pace, involving speed, graphics, animations, sounds, and haptic feedback. The acceptance and adoption of how we interact virtually with products or train our employees, paired with evolving user experiences are generating more business opportunities.

Companies are using these virtual engagements to learn how to produce revenue streams and expand on ideas. The question is whether you want to be a trendsetter or a follower of the trend and those who take advantage of new opportunities earlier are more likely to succeed.

Contact us

Would you like to elevate your business with a progressive and innovative virtual solution? Do you need a VR-based training platform, AR add-on to an existing application, or creative content to support these solutions?

Elevux has the team to take your project from concept to market!

Don’t forget to give us your 👏 !

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At Elevux we strive to elevate humans to their highest potential through brilliant design & integrated experiences. Creating unforgettable AR/VR/XR experiences!