The lives we lead today would never have been the same without technology. It is quite evident that machines and gadgets play a crucial role in our daily activities and therefore, it is important to understand the concept of these technological innovations before we interact with them. We all know that both augmented reality and virtual reality offer an incredible gaming experience, but there is much more to it than that.
Virtual Reality vs Mixed Reality
Both technologies incorporate a common element of 3D imaging, thus delivering the user to a world that is unrealistic but still feels real. Furthermore, media attention and market growth have been equally favorable for both. A novice user might think they are the same thing, but technically there is a lot of difference.
To clear things up, let's take a look at the comparison between Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality covering the differences, similarities and some other important aspects.
Introduction
Virtual reality
Virtual reality
It is the simulation of a real-life environment that stimulates users' vision and hearing and allows them to experience a simulated reality. It uses VRML (Virtual Reality Modeling Language), a coding language, which creates a series of images and allows for various types of possible interactions. Typically, the user needs to put on a VR headset known as head-mounted displays, after which it is possible to look around, hear, touch or (possibly) smell objects arranged in an artificial world. Oculus Rift is a VR headset that is primarily available for gaming.
Augmented reality
Augmented reality
In this technology, some computer-generated layers in the form of graphics, sounds and videos are stacked on top of real-life objects to allow users to interact with that environment. Here, the user can experience an artificial environment while being present in the real world, without disconnecting from their surroundings. Instead of replacing things, it adds real-time modifications that can be experienced through an app and a mobile device. Pokémon Go is a popular example of AR that has seen over 100 million downloads in just a few weeks.
Difference between Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality
Image representing physical, augmented and virtual reality
Although both technologies seek to deliver an unrealistic and artificial configuration to the user, they are inverse reflections of each other. While VR isolates the user and takes them to another world, AR users continue to inhabit the real world during their interaction with virtual objects. In short, the former is more immersive and offers a digital recreation of the real-life setting, while the latter offers virtual elements as an overlay to the real world and gives more freedom. Let's go through the list of features that differentiate both technologies.
Purpose
The goal of VR is to create your own computer-generated digital world without using the actual real-life setting. On the other hand, AR adds virtual components like graphics and images as a layer to real objects.
Delivery method
VR is delivered to users through a head-mounted display or a handheld controller that allows them to navigate and perform actions in the simulated world. AR is made available to users through an application that can be installed and run on mobile devices. As soon as you place your device over the object, it turns into a 3D image that would otherwise not be visible.
Experience
VR involves a lot of equipment involving headsets and headphones that may not be comfortable enough. However, it is quite immersive and immersive due to the fact that the user has no idea what is happening in the real world while wearing a VR headset.
Contrary to this, AR is very comfortable as it is generally lightweight and does not require the use of heavy devices. However, AR can offer a limited view, which implies that it is less immersive compared to VR.
Business applications
Virtual reality
Virtual Reality Business Applications
You can also read: Virtual reality applications in different fields
• Interactions and Meetings
Virtual Reality can be used in different ways by companies, whether for meetings, presentations or training. It is an innovative means that allows interaction between employees located in different locations without compromising the quality of operations.
VR can be used to create simulated images of the conference room with furniture and accessories so that participants feel like they are sitting in the same room. It is more realistic compared to video conferencing or any other means of communication.
• Sales
Professionals often need to prepare presentations to close deals with clients or participate in fairs. In such a situation, VR can be helpful in representing your business vision in front of potential customers. A VR experience through the headset is much more interactive than conventional charts, graphs and PPTs.
• Product testing
In the future, VR could also be explored and used in testing products that are dangerous to operate in person. By carrying out testing in a computer-simulated environment, companies can reduce their production costs and also reduce security measures.
Augmented reality
Augmented Reality Business Applications
Product design
With the help of 3D prototyping and AR, product-centric companies can very well anticipate and customize their products in advance. This would facilitate and speed up the production process, thus minimizing any waste or unwanted expenses.
Retail
In stores and warehouses, AR can be used on product packaging and displays to engage customers. For example, some toy companies set up kiosks in stores where customers can scan a product and see its 3D version on the screen without having to open the packaging.
Marketing
AR is certainly changing conventional advertising methods by adding augmented content to them. Companies are now creating print ads and billboards that come to life when a device with an AR app passes over them. For example, Vespa printed an ad that could be scanned via an app and then readers could even customize the scooter with the help of the various options available.
Sales
AR can also be used to prepare sales presentations for B2B projects, demonstrating what the product would look like in a specific location and also in real time. This field is still unexplored, but in the future, such applications may become common for business professionals.
Similarities
As stated above, the basic concept of both technologies involves simulation and computer-generated images in order to provide an enriching experience to users. Furthermore, both were introduced mainly for entertainment purposes and targeted at gamers. Furthermore, even the business and medical fields make use of these technologies for common purposes.
Verdict
Since we are comparing AR and VR, this does not mean that both technologies always work independently. Although you cannot use them interchangeably, there is a concept called Mixed Reality that combines augmented and virtual reality to create a hybrid reality. It is quite similar to AR, but here virtual content and real-life objects are able to communicate with each other in real-time. For example, Microsoft's HoloLens is a mixed reality headset that uses Windows Holographic technology, which incorporates virtual elements with real-world elements that exist together in a shared environment.
Mixed Reality
When it comes to the superiority of any of these technologies, there is no definitive winner in the battle. Both have enjoyed a favorable position in their respective markets and are receiving a huge amount of investment from some of the top technology companies like Microsoft and Facebook. Looking at the nature of these technologies, AR is more likely to be part of commercial applications, while VR is suited to entertainment (particularly gaming) and other social settings.
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