Summary: Virtual reality and augmented reality are being used in multiple industries to create immersive experiences for users. Both are known for providing enriching experiences by bringing together the virtual and real-world with 3D visuals. But they are different from each other in multiple ways, let’s find out how below.
While both AR and VR offer immersive digital environments, they differ significantly in their approaches and applications. Understanding the distinctions between these technologies is crucial for harnessing their full potential and integrating them effectively into various fields.
Augmented Reality is the enhanced version of the real environment created via computer generated digital data like visual, sound, sensory elements, etc. It utilizes hardware and software like apps consoles, screens, etc., to club digital data with the real-world environment.
One of the major goals of augmented reality is to highlight specific features of a physical product, improve the understanding of these features, and provide insights that could be applied to real-world applications.
No special equipment is required to create Augmented Reality experience. It is generated via camera with the help of AR software.
When you point the camera at the intended real-world object, the AR software will impose virtual three-dimensional (3D) objects and environments on the intended device depending on its geometric relationship. It calculates the position and the orientation of objects related to each other.
Virtual Reality is type of technology that regenerates 3D images and videos to develop real visual experience. VR generates an illusion of immersion via a life-size 3D digital environment. To create 3D videos and images, VR systems utilize computers and advanced graphics which add depth to them.
Next, it reconstructs the scale and distance between two-dimensional (2D) images. Everything is designed together to replace the real-world environment with a simulated one. It creates an immersive experience that makes the user feel like a part of a digital environment which they are viewing.
To view and control 3D environments, you need to use sensory devices such as VR headsets and gloves. With special sensors present in the VR headset, you can experience the virtual content naturally just like you do in the real world.
VR applications and experiences are created using specialized software development kits (SDKs) and programming languages. These applications generate the virtual environment, including 3D models, textures, sounds, and interactions.
VR systems consist of a headset/display, input devices (like controllers or gloves), and sometimes additional sensors or trackers. The headset contains screens that display images or videos in front of the user’s eyes, creating the illusion of being in a different environment.
Sensors in the VR hardware track the user’s movements, such as head position and orientation to update the displayed visuals in real-time to match the user’s perspective and actions.
Here is a detailed comparison of augmented vs virtual reality based on their purpose, immersion degree, supported devices, bandwidth, etc.
| Metrics | Augmented Reality | Virtual Reality |
| Purpose | Augments or enhances the real-world environment | It replaces reality and simulates the entire virtual environment. |
| Control of the Sense | You have a sense of being in the real world. | Your senses are controlled by the virtual reality system. |
| Degree of Immersion | You are partially immersed in the experience. | You are fully immersed in the experience. |
| Enhancement Target | It enhances both virtual and real worlds | It enhances only fictional reality |
| Device | No special devices needed, only the camera of your phone. | VR devices are needed like headsets and gloves. |
| Bandwidth | Needs higher bandwidth | Needs lower bandwidth |
| Virtual and Real Experience | 25% virtual and 75% real | 75% virtual and 25% real |
Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are rapidly evolving technologies with a wide range of applications across various industries like gaming, entertainment, education, design, etc. Here is a detailed overview of all the industries that use AR and VR to create immersive experiences for their users.
AR is used in multiple industries to create immersive experience for users. For example, it is used in tourism to provide interactive information about landmarks.
It is also used in retail, gaming, education, design, etc. Let’s look at the AR use cases in detail:
Virtual Reality is used in multiple industries to create an interactive experience for users. Industries like real estate, education, entertainment, and healthcare greatly benefit from VR. Let’s look at VR use cases in detail below:
AR and VR technologies can help in providing personalized training for employees within any business setting. By simulating different scenarios of the real world, you can provide your employees with a better understanding of scenarios that can help them in polishing their skills.
Mixed reality takes the best parts of both AR and VR. It involves merging the virtual content with the real environment in an immersive and interactive manner. In mixed reality, virtual objects appear as a part of the real-world environment.
Real objects could affect the shadows and lights of virtual objects. This natural interaction between virtual and real objects paves a new way of experience that would not be otherwise possible within the separate realm of VR and AR.
Unlike VR and AR solutions, MR systems spontaneously collect the latest data about the environment and what is occurring in it. Mixed reality clubs virtual and real worlds so that they become intertwined.
Mixed reality is a growing field, and its applications are used in several industries like entertainment, design, training, marketing, etc.
While AR and VR share the common goal of immersing users in digital environments, they achieve this through different means and cater to diverse use cases. AR enhances the real world with digital overlays, offering contextually rich experiences, while VR transports users to entirely virtual environments, enabling immersive simulations.
By recognizing the unique strengths and applications of each technology, businesses can leverage AR and VR to transform the way they interact with digital content and the world.
Augmented reality utilizes a real-world setting whereas virtual reality is entirely virtual. AR users could control their presence in the real environment whereas virtual reality users are controlled by a VR system.
With VR, learners can be transported to different historical periods, explore the inside of the human body, or practice complex skills in a safe and controlled environment. Whereas with AR, learners can see additional information about real-world objects, visualize abstract concepts, and receive step-by-step instructions overlaid on their surroundings.
In VR, players wear headsets that block their physical surroundings and project a virtual world instead. In AR, players use smartphones, tablets, or specialized AR glasses that overlay digital information, objects, or characters onto their physical surroundings.
VR stands for Virtual Reality, under which a person can interact with an artificial 3D or visual sensory environment.
AR stands for Augmented Reality, under which digital content is displayed onto the real environment. The content can be viewed by mobile phone with a dedicated AR software.
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