What is the difference between VR vs AR vs MR vs XR?

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What is the difference between VR vs AR vs MR vs XR?

VR vs. AR vs. MR vs. XR

VR, AR, and MR are three related but distinct technologies that are often confused with each other. In all, VR creates a completely immersive, computer-generated environment, while AR overlays digital information onto the real world, and MR combines both virtual and real-world objects in a single environment. XR encompasses augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and mixed reality (MR). 

In easier terms, look at the duck example above. 

  • In AR, the duck is simply overlaid
  • In MR, the duck blends with the objects of reality
  • In VR, all that you see is virtual
  • All these examples are XR

Here's a brief overview of each:

Virtual Reality (VR)

VR is a technology that creates a completely immersive, computer-generated environment that users can interact with. VR typically requires a headset with screens for each eye, as well as motion-tracking technology to monitor the user's movements. VR is often used in gaming, simulations, and training.

Augmented Reality (AR)

AR is a technology that overlays digital information onto the user's real-world environment. AR typically uses a smartphone or tablet camera to capture the real world and then superimposes digital objects or information onto the screen. AR is often used in retail, education, and advertising.

Mixed Reality (MR)

MR is a technology that combines elements of both VR and AR, allowing users to interact with both virtual and real-world objects simultaneously. MR typically uses a headset with transparent lenses that allow the user to see the real world while also seeing digital objects that are overlaid onto it. MR is often used in industrial settings for design and prototyping.

VR usage cases

Gaming

VR can be used to create immersive gaming experiences that make players feel like they are inside the game world. Examples include: 

  • Beat Saber is a VR rhythm game where players use virtual lightsabers to slice through blocks to the beat of the music.
  • Half-Life: Alyx is a VR first-person shooter game set in the "Half-Life" universe.

Education and Training

VR can be used to create interactive simulations that help learners gain hands-on experience in a safe, controlled environment. For example, medical students can use VR to practice surgical procedures without risking patient harm. An example:

  • Osso VR is a VR surgical training platform.

Real Estate and Architecture 

VR can be used to create virtual tours of real estate properties and architectural designs, allowing clients to explore and visualize them in 3D before they are built. An example:

  • Matterport is a VR platform for creating and sharing virtual tours of real-world spaces.

Healthcare and Therapy

VR can be used for pain management, physical therapy, and mental health treatment, creating a safe and controlled environment for patients to work through their challenges. An example:

  • Limbix is a VR therapy platform for treating anxiety and other mental health disorders.

Entertainment

VR can be used to create immersive experiences for entertainment purposes, such as theme park attractions or live events. An example is: 

AR Usage Cases

There are numerous use cases for augmented reality (AR), and the technology is being used across various industries to improve user experiences and streamline operations. Here are some of the top AR use cases:

Gaming and entertainment

AR is being used to create immersive gaming experiences, allowing users to interact with virtual characters and objects in the real world.

Retail and E-commerce

AR is being used in retail to provide customers with virtual try-on experiences, allowing them to see how products such as clothing or furniture would look in their homes before making a purchase.

Education

AR is being used in education to provide interactive and engaging learning experiences, such as virtual field trips or anatomy simulations.

Healthcare

AR is being used in healthcare to simulate surgical procedures, train medical professionals, and provide patients with personalized and interactive treatment plans.

Industrial Training

AR is being used in industrial settings to provide workers with interactive and immersive training experiences, such as simulations of hazardous work environments.

Advertising and Marketing

AR is being used in advertising and marketing to create interactive campaigns that engage and entertain customers, such as AR-powered billboards and interactive product demos.

Real Estate

AR is being used in real estate to provide customers with virtual property tours, allowing them to see properties in 3D and visualize how they would look with different furnishings.

Tourism and Travel

AR is being used in tourism and travels to provide users with interactive and informative experiences, such as AR-powered city guides and virtual tours of historical sites.

MR usage cases

Gaming and Entertainment

MR technology can create immersive gaming experiences by allowing players to interact with virtual objects and characters in real-time. One example of this is the "HoloLens Minecraft Demo" by Microsoft, which showcases a mixed reality version of the popular game Minecraft: 

Microsoft HoloLens Minecraft demo at E3 2015

Education and Training

MR can be used to create interactive and engaging educational content, allowing students to explore complex concepts and environments in a hands-on way. The "Transforming Medical Education with Microsoft HoloLens" by Case Western Reserve University is a great example of this, demonstrating how mixed reality can be used to visualize and interact with 3D models of the human body:

Transforming Medical Education with Microsoft HoloLens

Healthcare

MR has the potential to revolutionize healthcare by enabling doctors and medical professionals to visualize and manipulate patient data in new and innovative ways. The "Transforming Healthcare Delivery with Mixed Reality" by Microsoft demonstrates how mixed reality can be used to assist to solve current and future healthcare issues.

Transforming Healthcare Delivery with Mixed Reality

Industrial Design and Architecture

MR can be used to visualize and prototype new products and designs, allowing designers and engineers to explore and refine their ideas in real time. The "Microsoft HoloLens: Mixed Reality in the Modern Workplace" by Microsoft showcases how mixed reality can be used to create interactive 3D models of products and devices: 

Microsoft HoloLens: Mixed Reality in the Modern Workplace

Collaboration and Communication

MR can facilitate remote collaboration and communication by creating virtual workspaces where users can interact and collaborate in real-time. The "HoloLens Skype Demo" by Microsoft demonstrates how mixed reality can be used to enable remote collaboration and communication: 

Skype for HoloLens video

Now, you may see the difference between VR vs. AR vs. MR vs. XR. Are you ready to get into the immersive world, which also may be the future world one day? You can find more VR-relative information on the Pimax blog. And if you have more questions, feel free to join us on our Discord channel. Thank you!

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