Difference between Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality and Mixed Reality

Since the dawn of the 21st century, maybe even before that, science predicted a new world created by technologies like Artificial Intelligence and Virtual reality. Though the predictions did not turn out to be completely true, by the end of the second decade of the millennia, science has created some commendable advancements in both fields. The unforeseen progress in Augmented Reality and Mixed Reality more than compensated for the underdevelopment of Virtual Reality

In simple terms, Virtual reality puts you in the middle of a completely imaginary world. In Augmented Reality, you can see the real world, but virtual stuff will be embedded in it. With Mixed Reality, on the other hand, virtual objects are anchored to the real world making you able to handle the virtual stuff just like real ones.

Let us take a closer look at each one.

Virtual Reality

Virtual Reality technology grants you access to a computer-generated magical world that is different from reality. Special VR headsets or Head-mounted Display (HMD) have to be used to enter this world. The latest VR technology allows you to see, hear, and move around in the illusionary world.

Augmented Reality

In the world of augmented reality, you can interact in the real world with digital content added to it. It adds layers to the perception and supplements the environment with digital details. Pokemon Go, the famous game played by millions worldwide, is the best example of Augmented Reality

Mixed Reality

Mixed Reality goes a step further than Augmented Reality. In it, you can interact with and manipulate the virtual items that are embedded in the real world. For instance, if you are playing a game using MR, you can grab a virtual beer bottle on your table and hit your virtual adversary with it.

Applications

Though all three technologies are still in their development stages, they have already found their places in many fields. The advancements in these technologies are sure to help all industries.

Applications of Virtual reality

The greatest advantage of Virtual Reality is that it can be used to simulate environments and situations that are difficult or even dangerous to create in the real world. This has helped the progress in many fields.

Gaming

The gaming world was overjoyed by the advent of Virtual Reality. Many gaming companies have already embraced the technology and taken the gaming experience to the next level. VR headsets are compatible with most gaming consoles like Playstation, Nintendo, and so on.

More progress in technology is sure to revolutionize gaming.

Education.

Education can be made more immersive and engaging by using VR. Many things that cannot be taught using a blackboard can be explained using technology.

Healthcare

Virtual reality helps doctors to have a better understanding of human anatomy. It can be used for training and education. In the future, VR may completely redefine the health care system.

Travel industry

How would it feel to walk through the streets of Paris before actually going there? Virtual Reality has made this possible. The travel industry has jumped at this possibility to promote tourism. You can now choose between the places that you want to visit by virtually going there beforehand.

Applications of Augmented Reality

Augmented Reality has achieved more acceptance than Virtual Reality. Through it, you can have a virtual experience without losing the grip on reality.

Mobile phones and other portable devices are using this technology to enhance the user experience. Many industries have also started implementing this technology to improve themselves.

Advertisement

Interactive ads are the future of the industry. Users can specifically look for the things they want in a brand store ad. Thus AR is revolutionizing not just advertising but promotes sales and brand awareness.

Manufacturing Industry

Augmented reality is redefining the norms of the manufacturing industry by increasing productivity and quality. AR gadgets assist the workers and thus reduce human error, increase efficiency, and save time.

Retail

AR can be used to complement online purchases. You can get a virtual view of the product and even try something on. It can greatly increase sales through these platforms.

Navigation

Augmented reality can be used to overlay directions in the road to make navigation easier. It can also be used to point out the nearest cafes and hotels.

Maintenance

With Augmented reality, maintenance and repair can become so much easier. Without having to watch hours of how-to videos on YouTube, you can use a special augmented reality application to guide you through each step of the repair.

Applications of Mixed Reality

Mixed Reality is a more immersive type of Augmented reality. In simpler terms, the virtual object is anchored to the real world so that it can be manipulated in Mixed Reality.

You can buy holographic devices like Microsoft Hololens 2 and get a firsthand experience with the technology. There are also other devices called immersive headsets that can give you the same kind of experience.

Uses of Mixed reality are:

Communication

Mixed reality can help to improve the collaboration between people through immersive communication techniques. By using a headset, employees in a firm can communicate more effectively. This can greatly help productivity.

Education

Like VR and AR, Mixed reality can give a lively learning experience for the students. It can be more effective as it is more interactive than the other two. Mixed reality can be utilized from preschool to Post Graduate level to improve understanding.

Manufacturing

The technology can greatly improve the manufacturing process by providing real-time assistance to the employees.  For instance, they can see instructions as holographic images right in front of them while operating any machinery. Maintenance and repair also get improved by making use of mixed reality.