Differences between Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, and Mixed Reality

Extended reality includes virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR).

Virtual reality (VR) provides a fully immersive digital experience, transporting users to virtual environments.

Augmented reality (AR) overlays digital content in the real world, enhancing it with virtual elements.

Mixed reality (MR) combines virtual and real-world elements, allowing users to interact with both digital and physical objects in a merged environment.

1. Virtual Reality

Virtual reality is a complete visual immersion in a computer-generated artificial environment. The system can also generate synthetic sounds and other stimuli.

The purpose of virtual reality (VR) is to simulate the real world (or entirely imaginary worlds) using high-power computers and sensory technology such as a headset and a pocket controller.

The user loses contact with the outside world.

Virtual reality (VR) is a simulated experience that uses pose tracking and 3D near-eye displays to give the user an immersive sense of a virtual world.

2. Augmented Reality

Augmented reality is an overlay of useful information or digital images in the real world (seen only by the user).

Augmented reality offers to display digital content on real surfaces, allowing deep perception. Currently available for smartphone and head display platforms.

The user keeps in touch with the real world.

Augmented reality is a combination of the human world, the digital world, and the physical world.

Augmented reality is largely synonymous with mixed reality. There is also an overlap of terminology between extended reality and computer-assisted reality.

3. Mixed Reality

Mixed reality is the fusion of real and virtual worlds, where physical and digital objects coexist and interact in real-time.

The user looks at the real world while manipulating the digital content generated by the MR headset.

Mixed reality is the ability to do both, virtual reality and augmented reality in the same application or on the same device.

Differences between VR, AR, and MR

Virtual Reality vs Augmented Reality (VR vs AR)

• Virtual reality creates an immersive virtual environment, while augmented reality creates a real-world scene.

• Virtual reality requires a headset and gloves, but augmented reality is accessible with a smartphone.

• Augmented reality, unlike virtual reality, always occurs in the physical space in which you are currently.

Mixed Reality vs Augmented Reality (MR vs AR)

• Mixed reality makes it possible to penetrate and manipulate a scene, whereas augmented reality does not.

• Mixed reality has improved freedom of control over digital content through responses to verbal commands and hand gestures.

In the future, there is a great possibility that we will no longer be able to distinguish between VR, AR, and MR, different hardware will merge and will be capable of anything.