Extended Reality
Introduction
Extended reality is drastically changing on a virtual level, and constantly increasing our understanding of the physical world. This technology is by no means new, but after gaining more mainstream recognition around 2010, the real world saw the benefits of XR technology in gaming and entertainment. Not many people really knew what it was or what it was called. Simply that VR was a thing. With the start of the pandemic in 2020 and social distancing, understanding of the industry and the benefits it could provide the world at large have grown and will continue to grow well into the future. Even still, the distinctions between each facet of the technology are often overlooked. So, here’s everything you need to know about XR technology.
What is Extended Reality ?
Extended reality (XR) refers to any digital environment in combination with the physical world, where the user can interact with the environment using handheld and wearable technology. Through extended reality, the user can have a unique range of experiences they wouldn’t typically be capable of in real life. This could include anything from visiting the Louvre to overlooking a game city as if they actually ran along the rooftops, to something as simple as holding a 3D image of a heart in their hand.
Three Types of XR Technology
- Augmented reality (AR) refers to the overlaying of graphic images using a handheld device, such as a smartphone or tablet, in order to interact with the digital world. This is the most basic and accessible form of XR, given that no extra expense must be spared for gear. An app and a smartphone or tablet are all that’s needed.
- Virtual reality (VR) is more costly because the user must first have a VR headset in order to interact with the virtual world. It takes the user visually away from the physical space they’re in and puts them entirely into a digital world. Using sensory technology, the user is also able to physically interact with the environment.
- Mixed reality (MR) is a combination of both and is a little bit harder to understand. It’s a hybrid that involves physical interaction with digital objects in a physical environment in real time. It’s closer to AR in that it involves digital objects overlayed onto a physical field. It’s connection to VR is that it allows the user to actually move these objects to a specified space in the physical world, thereby giving the tech a more balanced interaction. Think of it as a physical version of the Ikea app that allows the user to see the spatial placement of a couch, but instead of just using it on a phone (strictly AR), the user can digitally place the couch in the room in a physical capacity to see how and where it would fit best.
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