With technology always advancing, all the new terms being thrown around can be confusing at times, especially when things are shorted to acronyms or have their very own new terminology. To better understand the new emerging immersive technology, the best place to start is with the basic terminology surrounding the industry.
Virtual Reality
A user wears the VR headset, Oculus Rift.
Virtual Reality, also known as VR, uses 3D, computer generated spaces to create a completely immersive experience. Users can feel as if they are really in that space by wearing a VR headset. VR is mostly known for being used for games, but it is also being used in different ways, from medical uses to roller coasters.
VR ranges from a box you put your phone in and hold over your eyes to make you feel like you are in a 3D space, such as Google Cardboard, to high-end, high-powered tethered VR headsets which allow you to walk around a space and interact with objects, such as the HTC Vive.
Augmented Reality
Mobile augmented reality as seen used at Museu de Mataro
Augmented Reality, or AR, uses computer generated imagery but presents them in the real world using technology such as a phone or smart glasses. Mobile AR uses the camera on the mobile device to make it appear that a computer generated object is in the real world. An example of this is the extremely popular Pokemon GO mobile app game, where players use their phone cameras and AR to ‘see’ Pokemon they want to catch in the real world.
Augmented reality on smart glasses is more immersive than a mobile AR experience, just like high-end VR headsets generate a more immersive VR experience when compared to mobile VR headsets.
SMI completes OEM Eye Tracking Platform for desktop, mobile and wearable devices. Photo by SMI Eye Tracking
Companies like ODG, EPSON, Meta and CastAR are all manufacturing AR smart glasses. The difference between smart glasses and headsets are smart glasses are true glasses while headsets are similar to helmets, closing off the real world. AR smart glasses projects graphics and 3D computer generated objects into the real world via glass lens or miniature screens as seen on Google Glass.
Currently, AR smart glasses are being used in professional industries such as medical and industrial.
Mixed Reality
Mixed Reality, or MR, combines VR and AR definitions. MR is a completely interactive and immersive computer generated environment, like VR, but overlays this experience in the real world, like AR. An example of this could be a customer could use it to add a virtual piece of furniture to their house, and be able to see if it will fit and how it looks with the rest of the room, and even be able to walk around it before making a purchase.
Mixed reality is all about combining virtual and real world experiences to enhance real life. The biggest manufacturers in MR are Microsoft and Magic Leap.
360 degree video will be discussed in next week’s post. Want to learn more about the VR, AR and MR industries? Learn how to become a client.
