Man using Virtual reality and augmented reality

What is VR?

VR is a computer-generated world with realistic sights and objects that gives the spectator the sensation of being entirely immersed in their surroundings. A Virtual Reality headset or helmet is often used to observe this reality. Virtual reality might be used as a tool to submerge oneself into a video game, learn how to perform brain surgery, and improve the quality of professional training in order to improve performance.

What is AR?

Augmented reality (AR) is a digitally changed or manipulated depiction of the real world created through the use of digital components, audio, smartphones, cameras, and or other forms of sensory stimulation. It’s becoming more common among companies dealing with mobile computing and commercial apps. With the development of data collection and processing, augmented reality’s main goals are to emphasize particular aspects of the actual environment, increase comprehension of those features, and extract intelligent and accessible information that can be used for real-world applications.

What is MR or XR?

Mixed reality (MR) or extended reality (XR) combines the best features that virtual reality and augmented reality have to offer. Mixed reality, as the name suggests, combines virtual material with the actual environment in a way that is both interactive and immersive. Virtual items look like a natural part of the actual environment in Mixed Reality, occluding real objects.

VR and AR side by side

While AR and VR use virtual reality, they are separate systems that use very specific components to target different industries, sectors, and audiences.

Virtual reality users often wear eye-covering headgear and headphones to help entirely transform and create a real world feeling in a virtual environment. The goal of virtual reality is to isolate the user from the actual world as much as possible. 

Once you’re inside, the VR environment can be programmed to project almost anything, from an instructional tour across the Sahara Desert, all the way to a hand-to-hand combat with a videogame villain. While virtual reality has certain commercial uses in product creation, teaching, architecture, and retail, the bulk of VR applications today are focused on enjoyment, particularly gaming.

On the other hand, augmented reality combines both the virtual and actual world. In most apps, the user does this by pointing the phone’s camera at a location of interest and creating a live-streaming video of that scene on the screen. The screen is then covered with useful information, such as repair directions, navigation data, and diagnostic data. AR might also be employed in entertainment applications.

Use Cases for VR

There are quite a few use cases for VR. As of late, virtual reality and augmented reality have experienced a considerable increase in use in the healthcare industry. VR, in particular, is utilized in therapy to assist people suffering from phobias and anxiety.

Allowing a buyer to use a product in real-time to see how it looks and operates is one of the most effective methods to persuade them to buy it. Businesses can utilize virtual reality to provide consumers with a demo of their product, so they can have a better understanding as to what goes into creating it, from production to packing to interior design.

Every company has a goal when it comes to developing products or providing services to customers and it’s very important to make clients a part of their purpose. Companies can take advantage of virtual reality technology to provide another level of engagement when promoting their business or increasing awareness.

Use Cases for AR

Similar to VR, there are a lot of AR use cases out there. Augmented reality is bringing the transportation business to a new level with capabilities like 3D navigation, driving instructions, and topographical graphics. That being said, AR is technically capable of projecting data onto any surface.

The present generation lives in the realm of mobile commerce, which is light years ahead of the age of E-commerce. Knowing that consumers are able to use their handheld devices to make purchases, brands are using augmented reality in their smartphone apps to boost client connections.

AR can be used to create visual prostheses and is assisting the healthcare industry in a variety of ways. AR is being developed by researchers and clinicians with the goal of performing complicated procedures.

In conclusion

The possibilities of both VR and AR for education are immense and growing rapidly. 

If you are a teacher or a researcher who is looking to implement VR technology into a classroom or a lab, then we should chat. 

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Have questions? Or looking to get some help on a VR project or idea? 
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