Augmented reality (AR) overlaps digital information on top of the physical world. The concept actually dates back to the 50’s, while Tom Caudell and David Mizell in 1990 coined the phrase “AR”. AR is typically experienced through a device, such as a smartphone or a tablet, that uses a camera to display the information on top of the real-world view. For example, an AR game might display digital characters on top of a real-world background, or a shopping app might show what a piece of furniture would look like in a person's home.
Virtual reality (VR), on the other hand, involves creating a fully immersive digital environment in which users can interact. Traditionally, this is typically done using a headset that covers the user's eyes and ears, blocking out the natural world and replacing it with a digital one. VR is often used for gaming, but it can also be used for training simulations, virtual tours and even retail outlets. The number of degrees-of-freedom (DoF) is the main distinction between different VR devices, which are the number of parameters in a system that can be very independent of each other. In plain English, certain DoF can support rotational tracking or rotational and translational tracking.
XR, a term used to describe the blending of real and virtual worlds, can be used to refer to various distinct concepts—most notably AR and VR. Many practitioners us XR as an overarching term to describe “all” forms of new realities. This includes augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies and any other technology that blurs the line between the physical and digital world. A recent report from Deloitte, proposed that in XR or mixed reality, “the virtual and real worlds come together to create new environments in which both digital and physical objects—and their data—can coexist and interact with one another”
XR technologies have the potential to revolutionise many different industries, from entertainment and gaming to education and healthcare. With the increasing efficiency of technology, we can expect to see more applications for XR in our daily lives.
Want to learn more about mixed reality? Get in touch or subscribe to get these articles straight to your inbox.