Technologies that enhance the real world with virtual objects are becoming a part of our everyday lives. Long gone are the times when they were considered "just toys". Nowadays, those technologies are used in industry, commerce, and healthcare. Many variants are available on the market today: VR, AR, aR, or MR.
Are you confused with those mysterious abbreviations? Don't worry. We'll help you out.
VR - virtual reality
Virtual reality is a known term among gamers and simulator fans. VR technology can, figuratively speaking, "teleport" the user into a virtual world that lives and breathes in front of his very eyes. And reacts to his movements, too.
Such an immersion is provided by special glasses that cover the area around the eyes and project a fully virtual environment into the user's field of vision. Furthermore, they respond to his head movements, so whenever the user moves, the movement gets transferred into the virtual world.
Therefore, the user's brain adapts to a new situation after a while and starts to perceive the stimuli from the virtual world as almost real. On the one hand, that brings an immersive experience; on the other hand, VR can make some users nauseous for the same reason. It is because the rest of the body (e.g., balance centers in ears) starts sending different signals than the brain - and this signal collision may cause unpleasant feelings.
However, VR technology is constantly evolving, and one of the key development goals is better UX. Hence, lots of VR options are available today:
- Computing power is either provided by a connected computer or by a processor hidden in the glasses themselves.
- Even the design of the glasses can vary. Previous models were completely untransparent, but this approach is changing now. The most state-of-the-art glasses record the user's surroundings with cameras and project them into the virtual world so the user basically perceives the glasses as "transparent".
- Some VR sets also contain handheld controls or room sensors that capture user's motion in space.
Detail of Apple Vision Pro glasses
AR - augmented reality
AR is likely today's most widespread technology of this kind. Unlike VR, AR primarily works with the real world, into which it only projects virtual elements.
Such elements can be work instructions, 3D product models or digital beings (avatars). AR "magic" can be experienced via smart glasses and even various apps for tablets or smartphones. These programs include not only games like Pokémon GO, but also sophisticated company systems.
aR - assisted reality
The term aR (assisted reality) is mentioned very often in connection with industrial smart glasses. Nonetheless, this technology doesn't truly add any virtual elements into the real world - it merely displays useful information in user's field of vision.
In practice, this means that when you are working manually, you are constantly looking at a small screen that advises you what to do. Not only do you have all the information at your disposal, but you also have free hands for your work tasks. The display is typically a part of smart glasses, which can be sometimes even connected to a safety helmet.
A typical example of software utilizing aR is LumnioIt functions with a common tablet, smartphone or even smart glasses.
A technician is inspecting a machine using aR smart glasses.
MR - mixed reality
MR technology connects the perks of AR and VR. It combines elements and experiences from the both virtual and real worlds.
To display mixed reality, special transparent MR glasses are usually used. They are equipped with cameras, LiDAR and other sensors that track glasses' position and eye movement.
One of the most popular MR devices is currently Microsoft Hololens glasses, compatible with Lumnio as well.
A technician wearing MR glasses
XR technology
The last term, XR, is in fact an umbrella term for all the aforementioned technologies (aR, AR, MR i VR). Thus, XR includes all technologies that combine the virtual and real worlds in some way. So whether you love virtual reality experiences or prefer smart glasses with AR, you're a proud XR fan.
Did you enjoy this topic? Take a closer look at our great comparison of smart glasses as well.
