One article to understand the differences between AR, VR, MR, XR
In today’s ever-evolving technological landscape, digital realities have emerged as transformative forces, reshaping the way we perceive and interact with the world around us. Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), Mixed Reality (MR), and Extended Reality (XR) have become buzzwords in both tech circles and everyday conversations. These terms may seem interchangeable at first glance, but in reality, they represent distinct technologies with unique capabilities and applications.
VR is virtual reality, which is a fully immersive experience of digital content. Have you watched the movie Ready Player One? That’s basically the concept of VR. When a user is immersed in the VR experience, he/she will not be able to see the physical world, and everything within the view is rendered digital content. An example of a VR headset would be Meta Quest 2 (previously as Oculus).
AR is augmented reality, showing the physical world, but with a layer of digital content on top. You could imagine it as Iron Man technology, like how Tony Stark used a floating interface as his control panel. There is also mobile AR, which Pokemon Go is an example of it.
MR is mixed reality, where the digital content can interact with the real world. This sounds pretty similar to AR, however, I would say MR is the technology that actually adapts to your physical surrounding. It is able to scan the area you are in with spatial technology and identify where all the physical planes are. I believe as AR evolves, AR and MR could most likely be blended into the same term (I am just guessing). An example of good use of MR technology would be the IKEA Place app, where you could test a piece of furniture from IKEA at your home, before making a purchase decision.
XR is the extended reality, which basically just the umbrella term that describes VR, AR, and MR.
As we concluded our exploration of these glossaries, I am thrilled to announce that this is just the beginning of an exciting journey. I am committed to delving deeper into these captivating digital realities and sharing more insightful content with you.
If you’re as passionate about these technologies as I am and want to stay informed about the latest advancements, industry trends, and mind-bending possibilities, I invite you to follow me. Together, we will embark on an exciting adventure, uncovering the limitless potential of XR technology.
Through my upcoming content, I shall provide you with valuable insights, thought-provoking discussions, practical applications, and the development process (coding) of these transformative technologies.
See you in the next one!
