Difference Between AR, VR, MR

AUGMENTED REALITY (AR)

In simple words, Augmented Reality (AR) is used to overlay virtual objects on the real world environment.  AR layers virtual enhancements on top of our existing reality, or we can say that it is the enhanced version of reality by the use of technology.

A live example of Augmented Reality (AR) includes applications like PokemonGo. Snapchat Lenses also uses AR.

Talking about AR in PokemonGO, the route a gamer followed to catch the pokemons was a reality but the pokemons that were hidden at different places to catch them was an example of Augmented Reality – overlay of digital content on real world.

Image credits : phys.org

VIRTUAL REALITY (VR)

VR takes the users in a fully artificially created digital environment generated by a computer. It creates a special experience which completely takes you to the digital world and shuts down the physical world.

A special VR headset is required to experience Virtual Reality. For instance, VR headsets are connected to a computer (Oculus Rift) or a gaming console (PlayStation VR) but there are standalone devices (Google Cardboard is among the most popular) as well. Most standalone VR headsets work in combination with smartphones – you insert a smartphone, wear a headset, and immerse in the virtual reality.  Users can be transported into a number of real-world and imagined environments such as the middle of a squawking penguin colony or even the back of a dragon.

Image credits : reuters.com

AUGMENTED REALITY VS VIRTUAL REALITY (AR VS VR)

• Augmented Reality is a mix of the real world and virtual world. Whereas Virtual Reality creates an entire virtual world.
• AR lets people interact with both worlds and distinguish clearly between both. In the case of VR, it is hard to differentiate between the real world and virtual world.
• AR generally requires holding a smartphone in front of you. VR requires you to wear a helmet or glasses.

MIXED REALITY (MR)

Mixed Reality, although it is the recent development in reality technologies but also the most complicated technology that encompasses different forms of real experiences. It basically compiles the elements of both AR and VR.

• MR that initiates with the real world – Virtual objects are overlaid on the real world, and also they will be able to interact with each other. Here, a user remains in the real-world environment while digital content is added to it. Moreover, a user can interact with virtual objects. This form of mixed reality can be considered an advanced form of AR.

• MR that initiates with the virtual world– the digital environment is anchored to and replaces the real world. Here, a user is fully immersed in the virtual environment while the real world is blocked out but the digital objects overlap the real ones whereas in conventional VR the virtual environment isn’t connected to the real world around a user.

Image credits : lifewire