Virtual reality (VR) is an immersive computer-generated simulation that transports users into an imagined universe, using headsets and controllers to trick their senses into believing they have entered another reality.
Augmented reality (AR) overlays digital information onto real world elements. You may recognize AR from apps such as Pokemon GO* or TikTok’s popular “European Art Museum” filter.
VR vs. AR
Virtual reality (VR) refers to the creation of computer-generated environments that immerse users into an imaginary virtual world, used for purposes such as marketing, education and training, social interactions, maintenance services and more.
Augmented reality (AR) is similar to virtual reality (VR), but doesn’t create an entire digital universe; rather it simply adds virtual elements by layering digital information over real environments.
AR is currently most often experienced through mobile devices, where users simply point the camera of their mobile phone toward an object or scene and digital information is overlaid on top — think Tony Stark’s Iron Man helmet or apps such as Snapchat and Google Lens. While processing power limits the quality of AR experiences currently provided on mobile phones, technology improvements should mean even better experiences over time.
What is AR?
AR is an emerging technology used to augment users’ real world experiences through computer-generated information. AR uses computerized imagery to detect specific objects or features of an environment and augments them with digital information – for instance text, game board or character images – superimposed over them.
Users of AR can access it using devices like screens (like smartphones and tablets), glasses, or projections. Unlike VR which isolates users from reality with headsets that fit over their eyes, AR keeps people grounded in their environment while overlaying virtual data. From furniture companies helping customers visualize how pieces will look in their home to neurosurgeons guiding patients through procedures, AR has quickly become an integral part of daily life – from neurosurgeons guiding their patients through procedures to social media platforms incorporating it into apps to enable interactive games like Pokemon Go or TikTok filters on social media.
How is AR different from VR?
AR and VR both provide computer-generated experiences, but they differ considerably in terms of capabilities and use cases. VR tends to replace reality entirely while AR adds virtual information onto an environment already being seen by a user.
VR headsets allow doctors to perform virtual surgery without ever setting foot in an operating room, while marketing uses VR to engage consumers and employees in new ways.
Building virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) applications requires similar skillsets, including 3D modeling/scanning, programming languages such as C++ or C#, game engine platforms and developing an SDK that enables your app to detect real-time user environments while superimposing virtual preloaded 3D content. However, creating AR apps requires different resources; specifically an SDK which enables its app to detect user environments in real-time while overlaying virtual preloaded 3D content.
What are the benefits of AR?
One of the primary advantages of AR is increased user engagement. Businesses using AR can create immersive experiences that are engaging and memorable, leading to increased brand recognition and conversion rates.
AR is also effective at helping to avoid cognitive information overload. This occurs when your mind receives more data than it can effectively process, leading to frustration and impaired judgment. AR helps address this problem by providing bite-size digital snippets overlaid onto real world images for quick digestibility.
As an example, take Pokemon Go app. Users can capture animated characters in their surroundings with high levels of immersion and interactivity while remaining realistic. Furthermore, this platform has also become widely utilized by medical professionals training for surgery as well as soldiers preparing to head out onto battlefields allowing them to practice critical scenarios without risking their lives in real-life training situations.
What are the disadvantages of AR?
AR poses significant privacy and security risks due to its ability to track individuals without their knowledge or consent – for instance, GPS data, accelerometer readings and video streams could all be collected.
AR technology can be highly addictive; users can become easily hooked into games and apps on their phone, leading them to disregard their surroundings and potentially get hurt in real-life situations – like leaning over machinery or walking into objects while trying to use an app. Furthermore, its development requires specific skill sets that non-programmers may find difficult to master; though this will likely change as technology matures further. In the meantime, we can expect AR to become widely used for training, education, navigational applications.
