{"id":9277,"date":"2023-03-02T11:10:11","date_gmt":"2023-03-02T09:10:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/yeeply.com\/en\/?p=9277"},"modified":"2023-03-06T10:16:05","modified_gmt":"2023-03-06T08:16:05","slug":"difference-virtual-augmented-mixed-reality","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/yeeply.com\/en\/blog\/trends-skills\/difference-virtual-augmented-mixed-reality\/","title":{"rendered":"What is the difference between Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality and Mixed Reality?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Virtual Reality<\/b>, <\/span>Augmented Reality<\/b> and <\/span>Mixed Reality<\/b> are relatively recent technologies that often lead to some confusion.<\/span><\/p>\n

They share common aspects but are also different in ways that are often not easy to grasp right away. In this article, <\/span>we\u2019ll help you distinguish<\/b> these three technologies correctly.<\/span><\/p>\n

FIND THE BEST TEAM FOR YOUR DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION<\/a><\/div>\n

What is Virtual Reality?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Virtual Reality (VR) is a computer-generated environment whose aim is to create the feeling of being completely immersed in it. A <\/span>Virtual Reality<\/b> user has <\/span>the feeling of being in a setting other than<\/b> his real one<\/b> by employing devices such as VR glasses or a VR helmet.<\/span><\/p>\n

Virtual Reality offers plenty of interaction possibilities. In some cases, it simply consists of <\/span>an immersive experience<\/b> in which a video takes us to another place and doesn\u2019t contemplate any kind of movement or interaction.<\/span><\/p>\n

Other times, it will be possible <\/span>to move around and interact with the environment<\/b> by using additional devices such as gloves or a gamepad.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Virtual Reality glasses. Source: Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Use examples of Virtual Reality<\/span><\/h3>\n

As a technology that creates environments that allow escaping from reality, VR proves the perfect ally for <\/span>the video game industry<\/b> when it comes to generating immersive experiences by creating fantastic worlds from scratch.<\/span><\/p>\n

Another interesting use of VR can also be found in architecture. It\u2019s always hard for a customer to get a clear-cut idea of <\/span>what the end result<\/b> of an architectural project will be.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, VR can now be used to tour an entire building and see in detail how it will finally look like. Along these lines, there are currently plenty of real estate agencies that use <\/span>virtual visits<\/b> to show homes to prospective customers remotely.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Currently, <\/span><\/i>real estate agencies use Virtual Reality<\/i><\/b> to show homes to prospective customers.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

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What is Augmented Reality?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Do you recall the 2016 <\/span>Pok\u00e9mon<\/b> summer fever during which millions of people took to the streets to hunt these virtual creatures? The <\/span>Pok\u00e9mon GO app<\/span><\/a> had significant weight on getting Augmented Reality to be on everyone\u2019s lips.<\/span><\/p>\n

Augmented Reality is the technology that enables <\/span>overlapping images or information in real-time<\/b> on the actual environment to which these belong. This technology allows us to interact with our environment through a mobile device.<\/span><\/p>\n

Even though some people may mistake AR for VR, Augmented Reality depends completely on the real world to create <\/span>interactive experiences<\/b> with the user. VR, on the other hand, involves isolating oneself from the real world to get immersed in a virtual environment.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Augmented Reality <\/span><\/i>depends completely on the real world<\/i><\/b> to create interactive experiences with the user.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

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For this reason, Virtual Reality <\/span>enjoys widespread use in the video game industry<\/b> while Augmented Reality is being used in many areas beyond entertainment like <\/span>industrial manufacturing, maintenance, medicine, tourism, education<\/b>, etc.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Tourist map featuring Augmented Reality. Source: Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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Most commonly, Augmented Reality applications make use of <\/span>devices such as smartphones or tablets<\/b> due to their extended use. However, goggle-shaped wearables are currently also being launched to enable interacting with the environment.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Use examples of Augmented Reality<\/span><\/h3>\n

We previously discussed how Pok\u00e9mon GO was an example of how <\/span>Augmented Reality is implemented in a video game<\/b>. However, there are other examples of AR use that are already present in our every-day life.<\/span><\/p>\n

Television<\/b>, for instance, has been using this technology since recent years. Weather forecasts, displaying electoral results or showing newly inaugurated infrastructures are some of the AR use examples we can commonly come across in the news.<\/span><\/p>\n

Augmented Reality can also be used in <\/span>advertising<\/b> by creating brochures that include additional information or printed ads that encourage customers to play.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u2b50<\/span><\/span><\/span> You may also be interested in: <\/span><\/i>Augmented Reality is changing the future of fashion<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n

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What is Mixed Reality?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Mixed Reality (MR) makes <\/span>interacting with a virtual environment<\/b> possible (as in VR) <\/span>and in real-time<\/b> (as in AR). However, the main difference between MR and the other two technologies is that here real objects present within the user\u2019s real surroundings can be used for interacting with the virtual environment.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Mixed Reality is, thus, the technology that results from <\/span><\/i>combining Virtual Reality with Augmented Reality<\/i><\/b>.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

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To enjoy Mixed Reality, you\u2019ll need a closed helmet with a screen over your eyes enabling you to <\/span>see both your real surroundings and the virtual environment<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The device must also <\/span>incorporate a camera to analyse our surroundings<\/b>, track our gaze and movements, and <\/span>project holograms<\/b> that will look as if they were completely real.<\/span><\/p>\n

There are currently several companies involved in developing these MR devices but the ones achieving the best results are <\/span>Magic Leap<\/b> and Microsoft\u2019s <\/span>HoloLens 2<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a cool Magic Leap video titled \u201cWaking up with Mixed Reality\u201d:<\/span><\/p>\n

https:\/\/youtu.be\/GmdXJy_IdNw<\/p>\n

Use examples of Mixed Reality<\/span><\/h3>\n

Education <\/b>is one of the fields that can benefit from Mixed Reality. By incorporating this technology, <\/span>students can plunge into a learning environment<\/b> that offers examples that take the shape of holograms and allow interacting with them. <\/span><\/p>\n

At the end of the day, this enables students to assimilate concepts better. However, its high cost means that it <\/span>is still far from being incorporated into school daily routine<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Healthcare<\/b> is another field in which MR may stir up a thorough revolution. On the one hand, <\/span>surgical simulations<\/b> allow surgeons to practice complex procedures and provide a <\/span>learning tool for medical students<\/b>. On the other hand, in real-time surgery, a surgeon can receive important information from the patient, plan the procedure or locate tumours more easily.<\/span><\/p>\n

This is an example of how medical students use Mixed Reality to study anatomy:<\/span><\/p>\n