[VR] Virtual, Augmented, Mixed- Reality; What is these all about?
The difference of VR, AR, and MR.
You’ve heard of ______ Reality.
You all are familiar with Virtual Reality, the hot new trend that began in 2016 that is ever growing until this day?
This picture of Oculus that Facebook acquired will remind you of where you heard the word ‘virtual reality.’
Also, ‘Pokemon Go’ which drew everyone outside and off their couches made you curious about what Augmented Reality is.
Recently, Microsoft launched ‘HoloLens’ and the term Mixed Reality also appeared in some articles.
Virtual, Augmented, Mixed- Reality; What are those?
These ‘Reality’ series, how are they different from each other?
Let me distinguish VR and AR/MR first.
The word ‘virtual reality’ was often used in fictional works as artificial spaces that are counters to the real world. These days, it is used as an umbrella term for virtual worlds materialized by computer programming including VR, AR, and MR. When you differentiate VR and AR/MR, it is specifically used as virtual space entirely separated by the real world. Wearing HMD with VR contents, you can experience a whole new world built by computer graphics with your sight for the real world completely blocked.
This new VR space can be structured by computer simulation, or by a 360 video. It could be both integrated, too. If you are curious about the difference between computer simulation VR and 360 video, refer this article ‘360 video contents vs. 3D virtual reality contents.’
The core of VR is that it is completely disconnected space with reality.
You can be on the top of an Amazon waterfall or at an alien town in the middle of an unknown galaxy while sitting on your office desk wearing a VR goggle. It does not matter where you are, you can experience a whole new VR world.
Unlike VR, AR and MR shows our real world. AR and MR places layers of virtual information on the real world so that you can see the real world with extra artificial graphics. The word ‘augmented’ or ‘mixed’ indicates us that it is an integrated world of real and virtual space. For example, Pokemon Go integrates a real GPS data with virtual pokemon’s locations. If you are nearby the beach, you can catch the water type pokemon, ‘Magikarp,’ from the beach you see through your camera.
Watch this video art of daily AR/MR life in the future to help your understanding of virtual layers.
Pokemon Go is, of course, not the best example for high level AR/MR for the future. As you notice very soon playing the game, pokemons are floating on the screen of your camera scene, not interacting with the real world you see through the camera. The difference between AR and MR also lies on the interaction with the real world.
AR and MR are used alternatively without an distinct division. If there is a difference, it will be the degree of how much you emphasize real-time responses. For instance, Google Glasses that helps you to see browsers or weather will be considered more as AR. Medical AR technology that shows the cardiac impulse and the movement of bones and muscles over the patient in real-time will be more considered as MR compare to the Google Glasses. The responsiveness level will be elevated as the technologies advance.
The AR kitchen table of IKEA would be a great example for showing the possibility of AR/MR.
Depending on what you do, the kitchen shows you recipes or warms up your coffee. And, of course, it cooks and adjusts the temperature. The projector above the table recognizes the objects on the table and makes the right move for each object. As computer vision technology enhances, our daily lives will be full with new sorts of VR/AR/MR products to help us like the IKEA table.
https://www.magicleap.com/video/magic-leap-video-7-hd.mp4
https://www.magicleap.com/video/magic-leap-video-3-hd.mp4
Magic Leap also became the topic of 2016 for their real-time MR technology of CG storytelling. Magic Leap recognizes objects including tables, hands, or floors so that the CG can be realistic in real time. If you watch the video of the robot, you will notice that the location of the robot is below the table, not floating above the scene. The technology recognizes and calculates the table and layers the robot as if the robot seems to be below the table.
Among all of these VR/AR/MR developments, Reality Reflection, with its affinity for VR, works to create charming new worlds.
We will soon update you with the concept art of our new VR game, ‘Codename T’ by creating a stunning world, so check our blog for updates!
Now you have been educated in the concepts of VR, AR, and MR!
What do you want to do in the VR, AR, MR era?
If you have any fun ideas or questions, please share with us!
This article is for sharing Reality Reflection’s interests — VR, Tech, and Gaming. If you like this article, check out our other articles and subscribe to RR’s publication!
