What is augmented reality? XR is a new term for all immersive technology. Includes or combines currently very popular technologies such as AR (Augmented Reality), VR (virtual reality) and MR (mixed reality).
What is XR – Extended Reality?
In other words, XR is about applying all the immersive technologies that extend the reality we currently experience by combining the real and virtual worlds or by creating fully immersive experiences.
As recent statistics from Visualcapitalist show, more than 60% of surveyors believed that XR would be mainstream within the next five years. So to better understand what Extended Reality is, let’s look at each of the technology concepts that are popular today.
Virtual Reality (VR)
In contrast to augmented reality, in a virtual reality experience, users can become immersed in a simulated digital environment. Individuals must wear a VR headset or head-mounted display to get a 360-degree view of an artificial world.
VR allows users to immerse themselves in the virtual world fully
For example, they can walk on the moon, swim in the ocean, or enter any of the new worlds that VR developers have created.
Currently, the entertainment industry has applied a lot of this technology to game development. Besides, industries like healthcare, construction, engineering, military, VR is becoming a very useful method.
Augmented reality (AR)
In augmented reality, virtual information and objects are overlaid on the real world. This experience enhances the real world with digital details like images, text, and animations.
Augmented reality (AR) adds virtual elements to real environments through smart devices
You can access the experience through AR glasses or through your computer or smartphone screen. This means users are not isolated from the real world. When experiencing augmented reality, you can still interact and see what is happening in front of you.
A very easy to understand example of AR is the game Pokemon GO which overlays digital creatures onto the real world. Or Snapchat filters put digital objects such as hats, glasses, hair… on your head when filming or taking photos.
Mixed Reality (MR)
In mixed reality, digital objects and the real world coexist and can interact with each other in real time.
Mixed Reality (MR) – displays virtual details in the real world, while being interactive (similar to the simulator in the movie Iron Man)
This is the latest immersive technology currently. It requires an MR headset and more processing power than AR or VR. Microsoft’s Hololens is a good example that allows you to place digital objects in the room you’re standing in. It has the ability to give you the ability to rotate yourself around it or interact with that object in any way.
Many companies are working on bringing virtual reality to industry to solve problems, support innovations and make their business better.
XR applications for businesses
Currently, XR is developing strongly and has many practical applications. Specifically, the top industries being transformed by XR technology are:
Retail and marketing
Extended Reality offers customers the ability to experience reality before purchasing a product. The retail sector is becoming smarter and more convenient, allowing customers to experience product testing in their homes in the comfort and closest to reality.
Watch maker Rolex already has an XR app, which allows customers to try on the watch on their actual wrist. Swedish furniture company IKEA has also offered customers the ability to arrange furniture products into their homes via smartphone or iPad through the IKEA Place AR application.
Education and training
XR enables people to receive training and education in a safe, virtual environment without putting their lives at risk. Doctors, firefighters and pilots can simulate dangerous situations with minimal risk and less cost. The experience they accumulate helps them handle real-life situations more easily.
Extended Reality can provide hyper-realistic training tools that help soldiers, healthcare professionals, pilots, astronauts, etc. find appropriate solutions. At the same time, learn how to respond to dangerous situations without needing actual experience to be able to do it.
The U.S. Marine Corps has adopted ACITT software, using Microsoft’s Hololens MR device to enhance soldiers’ combat performance. At the same time, strengthen preparations for real-world battles.
Video introducing Augmented Immersive Team Trainer (AITT) technology of the US military
Real estate
XR solutions enable real estate agents to take consumers on virtual tours. Customers can explore homes online without having to see them in person. Potential renters or buyers can easily visit multiple locations and directly decide which places are worth visiting before making a home purchase decision.
Finding buyers or tenants could be easier if companies research Extended Reality to apply to their business.
Individuals can experience spaces to make buying or non-buying decisions even if they are not present at the location.
Advertising and marketing
The ability to engage with prospects and consumers through XR increases marketing effectiveness.
XR is an incredibly useful way to reach customers during the ongoing pandemic, providing many advantages when many companies are temporarily suspending operations due to the epidemic.
Work remotely
Many companies and businesses have applied XR in the complicated situation of the Covid 19 epidemic.
Workers can connect to their home office or colleagues around the world with the utmost convenience.
Entertainment
The entertainment industry uses XR technology to provide consumers with immersive experiences. XR enhances video games by immersing you in a virtual environment for an immersive experience. XR can also help enhance other entertainment events such as exhibitions and live music performances.
Entertainment companies and businesses are always finding ways to apply XR to the production of game products and new generation immersive technology applications.
At the same time, XR also helps experience video games by bringing you into a virtual environment, helping to bring the most vivid, realistic experiences. Besides, XR can also be applied to create very lively events, exhibitions, and music performances in virtual space.
The future of XR
- Future XR devices will provide personalized and seamless experiences. This will give you the same experience you would get from attending a real concert or sporting event.
- XR will enable out-of-home (OOH) and mobile advertising to create hyper-personalized ads.
- XR will provide more interactive environmental education by creating virtual spaces where people can learn easily. The coming years may see a new trend in creating virtual training simulations to respond to the climate crisis.
- Smartphones and XR: Users can also see the convergence of smartphones, mobile VR headsets, and AR glasses into a single XR wearable device.
- Metaverse: XR is one of the core technologies for metaverse development through user experience.
How to distinguish between AR, VR and XR
Once you have grasped all the basic information about what Extended Reality is, you will definitely have a very clear view of the differences between AR, VR and XR.
AR adds digital (virtual) elements to a live (real) view using the camera on a smartphone or other AR-enabled devices.
VR immerses you completely in a world removed from the real physical world. Users can take on a number of real-world and other imaginary environments to experience.
XR is a term that covers all the different technologies mentioned above such as AR, VR, MR. XR enhances all senses, providing a wealth of additional information about the real world. Or create completely virtual, simulated worlds for users to experience.
Visiov Studio develops and builds XR applications
By 2017, VR and AR were more popular, but still appeared mainly in the gaming and entertainment sector. However, recently it has become a solution to improve business efficiency as a practical application for businesses. XR is growing very quickly with the participation of leading technology giants such as Google, Apple, Facebook, Microsoft… it is starting to receive strong investment interest in the market.
At our company, XR with advanced devices such as HoloLens, image recognition technology using AI (artificial intelligence), communication technology using WebRTC, advanced AR frameworks such as ARKit, distributed technology Loaded with cloud network, 3DCG technology, etc. VR, AR, MR continue to be developed together. Visiov Studio develops applications that use VR/AR/MR content for different environments and purposes.