Emerging digital tech such as Understanding augmented reality and virtual reality can significantly alter our perception of the physical world. These emerging tech can make plausible changes to – what we see and how we do. Both virtual and augmented reality create a real-world environment around us. While Augmented reality or AR is available through mobile handsets or smartphones, Virtual reality or VR can be accessed with a VR headset.
Explaining augmented and virtual reality
Augmented reality creates an enhanced interactive reality by adding 3D objects, sounds, and information to a smart device. Some popular AR apps are IKEA Place, Giphy World, and Google Lens. AR can be experienced with the help of a smartphone or tablet. Meanwhile, Virtual reality uses tech to create a simulated environment. Herein, the VR headsets are the primary means to experience this simulated environment, which also stimulates human senses such as auditory, touch, and vision. Virtual reality is also referred to as immersive reality.
In simpler terms, AR and VR are simply variations of the same technological source, differing mainly basis their respective applications.
Methods used in AR and VR
Today, the main AR methods are categorized as:
- Recognition based: Applications which recognize and utilize visual objects such as the QR code or 2D code, make use of recognition based AR.
- Location-based: Many GPS and digital compass utilized location-based AR.
- SLAM or simultaneous localization and mapping based: By sensor localization, it maps the structure of the surroundings to produce an AR experience.
On the other side, VR forms primarily include these:
- Fully immersive: Equipped with sound and visual, a fully immersive VR experience requires VR headsets.
- Semi immersive: Semi immersive VR experience creates a digital image and allows an individual to remain in touch with the real world, simultaneously.
- Non-immersive: Video games are built on non-immersive virtual reality, which is completely virtual and doesn’t allow users to experience the real world.
Applying “understanding augmented and virtual reality in the real world“.
The world has opened up to the usage and industry-wise implementation of AR and VR. As per leading business research, the markets of AR and VR will continue to grow and will reach above 40% of CAGR by 2024.
Endorsing AR and VR has opened up a new chapter for business possibilities and making the human environment interactive. Breaking apart from traditional means of experiencing a product or service, AR and VR have opened opportunities to create a new ecosystem for business. Business sectors such as training, automotive, retail, construction, manufacturing, travel can gain immensely with the help of VR experiences. Similarly, AR has been utilized to its fullest capacities for enhancing customer experiences in real estate, entertainment, leisure, education, and health.
For instance, VR has made medical diagnosing real and easy. Identification of symptoms in Alzheimer’s, PTSD, or dementia early on, has enabled medical practitioners around the world with increased capability to treat the condition. Likewise, augmented reality has made education and training curriculum immersive and in-depth, with an ability to capture personalized human input. In manufacturing and construction, VR has helped in real-world modeling of industrial equipment and building architecture.
Augmented reality and virtual reality have become critical business-enablers across the world. The increased application of both technologies is creating newer and more immersive human experiences. Adding to these concepts, more technological advancements are being introduced. Blurring the lines of the real and digital world, mixed reality is paving the way for path-breaking innovations. HCI or human-computer interaction is being explored to make human experiences more engaging. Yet, there is a long way to go. As the journey to create advanced and far more engaging virtual and augmented experiences has just begun.
