What are the differences between VR, AR, and MR?
In this blog, we explain the differences between virtual, augmented, and mixed reality, and provide practical examples of how these applications can be used.
What is virtual reality?
Virtual reality, perhaps the most well-known of the three, is seen as a fully simulated, digital world. This means that in the virtual world, no images of the real world are shown. Think of virtual reality as a game you are playing. You are completely immersed in a simulated world and can move in all directions.
Virtual Reality is still most commonly used for gaming-toepassingen. It is noticeable that the general public is becoming more accustomed to virtual reality, as major game development studios like Ubisoft and Valve are increasingly releasing exclusive triple-A VR-game that can only be played with VR-headset (consider the new Half-Life: Alyx).
However, there are now many other applications for virtual reality. For example, virtual reality is frequently used by companies to train staff (or other stakeholders). Consider KLM, which has created a virtual cockpit to familiarise (new) pilots.
What is augmented reality?
Slightly less known, but certainly not less used, is augmented reality. This application overlays a digital display (sometimes in the form of an extensive hologram, other times in a simpler form such as data) onto a glass, creating a combination with the physical world.
One of the most well-known augmented reality-headsets at the moment is the Microsoft HoloLens 2. This AR-bril can display full holograms realistically, allowing you to truly combine the real and virtual worlds. The company Velicus, for example, makes good use of this by offering reanimatie-cursussen with the HoloLens 2. As a user, you put the HoloLens 2 on your head, and a 'virtual patient' is programmed onto the ground. You can then go through the reanimatie-stappen on this patient.
Another application of augmented reality, and one that is increasingly used by companies, is 'remote assist'. With remote assist, you as a user wear a AR-bril (such as the Vuzix M400) and someone else can watch remotely via the built-in camera. Consider, for example, an electrician who comes to repair something at home but does not know exactly what to do when replacing a particular part. When he wears a AR-bril, he can call on the help of a specialised colleague who can watch via his phone or tablet and give instructions remotely (both via audio and via a built-in screen in the glasses).
What is mixed reality?
Finally, there is mixed reality. Mixed reality is a combination of the physical world and the virtual world. While augmented reality is really an 'overlay' between the two (for example, with the help of holograms), mixed reality is more of a physical combination.
A good example of this is the recently released Varjo XR-3 headset. This headset (XR stands for Extended Reality) uses two cameras on the front of the glasses. When a user wears the headset, they can look at the real, physical world through these two cameras. It is then possible to bring a digital (VR) object into the real world via the glasses.
For example, car manufacturer KIA recently launched a great application where users could summon a digital model of the latest car in a large, empty garage using the Varjo XR-3. In that case, users are physically standing in an empty parking garage and see nothing without VR-headset. But when they do wear the VR-headset, they see the latest model and can touch it and walk around it.
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