Now that virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR) are becoming more mainstream, people outside of tech circles have more questions about how these technologies differ. Here, we outline the difference between virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality.

1. The Important Difference
Between Virtual Reality,
Augmented Reality
And Mixed Reality

2. © 2019 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
Title
Text
IntroductionIntroduction
Now that there’s rapid growth in virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR)
and mixed reality (MR), there is increased confusion about the differences
between the technologies. While all are immersive technologies (technology
that integrates virtual and real-world elements) and have similarities, there are
differences.
Here I outline the differences between virtual reality, augmented reality, and
mixed reality.
The Important Differences Between
Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality
and Mixed Reality

3. © 2019 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
Users are completely immersed in a computer-generated reality when they experience virtual
reality. Virtual reality is the most well-known of immersive technologies. While the world of
gaming and entertainment were early adopters of virtual reality, VR applications are now used
in many organizations and industries including the military, engineering and construction,
healthcare, education, business and more.
When a user puts on a head-mounted display or a VR headset, they sense—and their brains
believe—they are moving among virtual objects on a screen. Most commonly, the headset is
connected to a PC or console that enables the virtual experience. In the case of Google
Cardboard, Samsung Gear VR and Google Daydream, it’s a smartphone that creates the virtual
experience, while the Oculus Go can do it all because it’s a standalone VR headset.
Virtual reality tools already help surgeons plan surgery, individuals experience a travel
destination even before they take flight, children learn in a simulated (but very real) walk on
the moon and soldiers train for combat scenarios, but the future will be full of even more VR
applications as businesses of all kinds figure out ways the technology can enhance operations.
Virtual Reality (VR)

4. © 2019 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
Do you remember the Pokémon GO craze? That’s the most well-known application of
augmented reality—technology that overlays digital information on the real world. Rather
than provide a fully immersive virtual experience, augmented reality enhances the real-world
with images, text, and other virtual information via devices such as heads-up displays,
smartphones, tablets, smart lenses, and AR glasses.
Augmented reality is useful for more than just entertainment. Retailer IKEA created an AR app
that helps shoppers visualize what certain products will look like in their home before they
purchase them. The app overlays virtual versions of the products onto the real-live image of
customers’ living spaces. In addition to IKEA, companies in aviation, automotive, healthcare,
travel and tourism, and more are developing augmented reality solutions.
Augmented reality technology can enhance travelers’ experiences in many ways. Imagine
being on a self-guided walking tour and wanting to know details about the architecture of a
building you discover. With an augmented reality technology app, you could just point your
phone at the building, and all the details are projected in your line of sight.
Augmented Reality (AR)

5. © 2019 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
Thanks to tools such as ARKit by Apple and Google’s ARCore and because smartphones can
support many AR experiences, more individuals outside of the tech industry are getting
exposed to the AR experience.
Augmented Reality (AR)

6. © 2019 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
Where does mixed reality fit in on the immersive technology spectrum? A mixed-reality
environment goes a step beyond augmented reality because users can interact in real-time
with virtual objects that are placed within the real world. These virtual items will respond and
react to users as if they were actual objects.
In order to experience mixed reality, an MR headset is used. MR headsets offer a holographic
experience through translucent glasses or an immersive experience. Some mixed reality
products that are currently available include Microsoft’s HoloLens, Acer Windows Mixed
Reality, Lenovo Explorer, and Samsung Odyssey. It's the gesture/gaze/voice recognition
technology through a pair of motion controllers or through the MR headset that helps deliver
a believable mixed-reality experience. It takes a lot more processing power to enable a mixed-
reality experience than it does for a virtual or augmented reality experience.
As the youngest immersive technology, awareness of mixed reality isn't incredibly high, but
companies who have invested in mixed-reality projects already give us a glimpse into its
potential. Ford is one company that saw the potential of mixed reality and now uses it to
prototype future vehicles instead of making prototypes in a physical environment.
Mixed Reality (MR)

7. © 2019 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
Put simply, the difference between virtual, augmented, and mixed reality is:
• Virtual reality (VR): A fully immersive experience where a user leaves the real-world
environment behind to enter a fully digital environment via VR headsets.
• Augmented reality (AR): An experience where virtual objects are superimposed onto the
real-world environment via smartphones, tablets, heads-up displays, or AR glasses.
• Mixed reality (MR): A step beyond augmented reality where the virtual objects placed in
the real world can be interacted with and respond as if they were real objects.
For more articles and examples of VR, AR, and MR, check out my website here.
Mixed Reality (MR)

8. © 2017 Bernard Marr , Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
© 2018 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
Bernard Marr is an internationally best-selling author, popular keynote speaker, futurist, and a
strategic business & technology advisor to governments and companies. He helps
organisations improve their business performance, use data more intelligently, and
understand the implications of new technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data,
blockchains, and the Internet of Things.
LinkedIn has ranked Bernard as one of the world’s top 5 business influencers. He is a frequent
contributor to the World Economic Forum and writes a regular column for Forbes. Every day
Bernard actively engages his 1.5 million social media followers and shares content that
reaches millions of readers.
Visit The
Website
© 2017 Bernard Marr , Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
© 2019 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
Bernard Marr is an internationally best-selling author, popular keynote speaker, futurist, and a
strategic business & technology advisor to governments and companies. He helps
organisations improve their business performance, use data more intelligently, and
understand the implications of new technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data,
blockchains, and the Internet of Things.
LinkedIn has ranked Bernard as one of the world’s top 5 business influencers. He is a frequent
contributor to the World Economic Forum and writes a regular column for Forbes. Every day
Bernard actively engages his 1.5 million social media followers and shares content that
reaches millions of readers.
Visit The
Website

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