One of the fastest-growing industries in the world is Augmented reality vs Virtual reality. More and more consumers are immersing themselves into this exciting world and many enterprises are using the technology to increase productivity in the working environment.
Augmented reality vs Virtual reality – Changing The Game
It is capturing the attention of different segments in different industries but many people still think that the two technologies are one in the same thing. There are many differences between augmented reality vs virtual reality and in order for users to exploit its maximum potential, they need to understand exactly how it works.
Virtual reality is a technology that has been around a bit longer than augmented reality and it is more familiar to some. You might have seen a VR headset that immerses you into a different dimension and creates the idea that you are in a different location. Virtual reality is, by definition, the use of computer technology to create a simulated environment. It gives the user a 3D experience that is totally immersive and it takes away the ‘real-world’ aspect. Virtual reality is especially popular in the gaming industry and it has become quite popular in the healthcare sector.
At the moment virtual reality headsets are worn to experience different locations. Along with virtual reality headphones, these devices simulate realistic images, sounds, and sensations. It delivers an experience to the individual that suggests that he or she has been taken out of their immediate environment and they have been transported somewhere new. Users are provided with real-life experiences by using computer-generated simulations. The tourism industry, for example, creates VR experiences for tourists who are unable to leave their homes to experience certain places or adventures. Medical students are thrown into VR worlds where they have to apply the knowledge they have learned in class.
The experience of virtual reality is mainly achieved by creating headsets. Facebook’s Oculus was one of the first headsets to make an appearance and introduce virtual reality to consumers. The headsets can be used in two ways. Firstly it can be used in the entertainment industry in films to make the experience more exciting for the user. Secondly, it can be used in a business sense when it comes to marketing and customer engagement. It has also been widely used in the gaming industry with VR headsets allowing gamers to ‘physically’ play their games.
Augmented reality, on the other hand, adds elements to the real-world situation of the user by making use of computer technology thus providing an interactive experience. Augmented reality consists of layering the current reality and improving it to make it more relevant. It is a system that consists of 3 components which are real-time communication, a blend of the virtual reality and the real world, and 3D registration of real and virtual objects. It differs from VR because it allows the user to interact with AR elements in the real-world situation without actually ‘leaving’ the real-time environment.
