You must have heard the terms Augmented reality and Virtual reality from the tech world. And want to understand their meaning and uses in real world etc.
Let’s go ahead and explore the augment and virtual reality technology and their realtime usages!
Augmented Reality vs Virtual Reality is a term widely being used on the internet at present. This article will explain everything about both AR and VR technologies, how do AR and VR work? Where AR and VR are used? etc.
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What is Augmented reality (AR) in simple words?
Definition:
Augmented Reality, usually known as AR, is an interactive experience that enhances the real world with computer-generated visual elements. By using software, Mobile apps, and hardware such as AR glasses, augmented reality overlays digital visual content (3d models, text and audio) onto real-life environments and objects.
One of the main objectives of augmented reality is to draw attention to certain aspects of the physical environment, enhance awareness of those aspects, and draw smart and approachable information that can be used in real-world applications.
The goal of Augmented Reality is to design a system in which the user cannot tell the difference between the real environment and its virtual enhancement.
At present, Augmented Reality is employed in a variety of industries, including entertainment, digital marketing, military training, engineering design, robots, and others.
AR Games & Apps Examples:
- Pokemon GO is the best example of an AR Game.
- An AR projection of a 3-D brain is occasionally used by neurosurgeons to assist them during procedures.
- AR can project views of old civilizations over today’s ruins at historical places like Pompeii in Italy, bringing the past to life.
- Ground crew members at Singapore’s airport use augmented reality glasses to view information about cargo containers, reducing loading times.
- Augmented reality is used in enhanced navigation systems to superimpose a route over a live image of the road.
- Broadcasters utilize augmented reality (AR) to draw lines on the field during football games to illustrate and analyze plays.
- IKEA, the Swedish furniture and homewares retailer, has developed an augmented reality (AR) software called IKEA Place that allows you to preview how a piece of furniture will appear and fit in your room.
- Military fighter pilots view an augmented reality projection of their altitude, speed, and other data on their helmet visor, eliminating the need to squander concentration by glancing down.
What are augmented reality glasses?
AR smart glasses are wearable transparent devices that produce AR content within the scene from the user’s viewpoint.
Augmented reality smart glasses allow users to interact with virtual and real worlds in real-time with the help of advanced imaging and sensor technologies. It is made up of components, working together to create the visual effect of the items that are being added to the real world.
Top Augmented Reality Companies
- NEXT/NOW (Chicago, IL)
- 4Experience (Bielsko-Biala, Poland)
- Interexy (Florida, USA)
- VR Vision (Toronto, Canada)
What is Virtual Reality (VR)? (Definition and Examples)
Virtual Reality (VR) uses computer technology to create a simulated environment. In contrast to typical user interfaces, virtual reality immerses the user in an experience.
Users are immersed and able to engage with 3D worlds rather than viewing a screen in front of them. The computer is transformed into a gatekeeper to this artificial world by replicating as many senses as possible, including vision, hearing, touch, and even smell. Near-real VR experiences are only limited by the availability of content and low-cost computing power.
Virtual Reality Definition: The computer-generated simulation of a three-dimensional image or environment that can be interacted with in a seemingly real or physical way by a person using special electronic equipment, such as a helmet with a screen inside or gloves fitted with sensors
Applications/Uses of Virtual Reality
There are a wide variety of applications for virtual reality which include:
- Architecture
- Sport
- Medicine
- The Arts
- Entertainment
Top Virtual Reality Companies in the World
- HTC Vive,
- Oculus Rift
- PlayStation VR (PSVR)
- Facebook Metaverse
- Microsoft
- Unity
- Samsung
- Magic Leap
- WorldViz
Augmented Reality vs Virtual Reality
You’re already familiar with VR and AR, let’s go through the differences between Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality.
| Virtual Reality | Augmented Reality |
| A virtual environment that is entirely immersive | The system adds to the existing scene. |
| The visual senses are controlled by the system in virtual reality. | In augmented reality, the user is always aware of their presence in the real environment. |
| Virtual reality is 75% virtual and 25% real. | AR is made up of 25% virtual content and 75% real content. |
| This technique requires at least a 50 Mbps connection to completely immerse the user in the action VR. | This technology, which partially immerses the user in the action, necessitates a bandwidth of up to 100 Mbps. |
| A virtual reality headset is required. | There’s no need for an augmented reality headset. |
| The VR user is secluded from the actual world and immersed in a wholly fictional universe when utilizing VR technology. | End-users can interact with virtual items that are closer to them while still being in touch with the actual world. |
| It is utilized in the game sector to enhance fictional reality. | Both the actual and virtual worlds benefit from it. |
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How does virtual reality work?
The primary goal of virtual reality is to simulate eyesight. In front of the user’s eyes, a VR headset screen must be mounted. As a result, any interaction with the real world is no longer possible. In virtual reality, two lenses are placed between the screen.
The user must adjust his or her eyes according to each eye’s movement and location. The visuals on the screen can be rendered using an HDMI connection connected to a PC or a mobile phone.
How does augmented reality work?
AR uses computer vision, mapping, and depth sensing to offer the user relevant material. This function enables cameras to gather, send, and process data in order to show digital content that is relevant to the viewer’s current gaze.
The user’s physical surroundings are supplemented in real-time with contextually suitable digital content in augmented reality. You can experience (AR) augmented reality with a smartphone or dedicated hardware.