Augmented Reality vs Virtual Reality: What’s the Difference?
If you have been following the tech industry for a while, you must have come across the terms Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR). While these two technologies may seem similar, they differ in how they work and the experiences they offer.
What is Augmented Reality?
Augmented Reality (AR) is a technology that overlays digital elements, such as images and information, onto the physical world in real-time. AR allows users to enhance their natural environment and interact with virtual objects without losing touch with reality.
One of the most common examples of AR is the Pokémon Go app that gained worldwide attention a few years back. The app allowed users to catch augmented Pokémon characters on their smartphones as if they were present in the real world.
AR technology has various applications in a range of industries, including entertainment, healthcare, education, and advertising. For example, IKEA Place app uses AR to allow users to visualize furniture pieces in their homes before buying.
What is Virtual Reality?
Virtual Reality (VR) is a technology that immerses users in a simulated environment, usually generated by a computer. VR creates an entirely new world separate from the real world, allowing users to interact with objects and people present in that world.
VR technology usually involves wearing a headset that covers the entire field of view and isolates the user from the real world. The headset contains a screen for displaying images, and sensors for tracking the movements of the user’s head and body.
VR technology finds application in entertainment, education, training, and therapy. For example, VR can be used to train pilots to operate an aircraft in a simulated environment before flying a real plane.
Key Differences Between Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality
While AR and VR may sound similar, they differ in the following ways:
Technology
AR overlays digital elements onto the real world, while VR generates an entirely new digital world separate from the real world.
Interaction with the environment
AR allows users to interact with virtual objects without losing touch with the real world, while VR isolates users from the real world, allowing them to interact only with the virtual environment.
Equipment required
AR requires a smartphone or tablet with an AR app or a specialized headset to function, while VR requires a specialized headset and sometimes gloves.
Which Technology is Better?
The choice between AR and VR depends on the intended use case. For applications that require users to interact with the real world while accessing digital information, AR is the best choice. For immersive experiences that require users to enter a fully simulated environment, VR provides the best option.
Conclusion
Augmented Reality (AR) includes digital elements in the real world, and Virtual Reality (VR) immerses users in a fully simulated environment. While these technologies share some similarities, they differ in how they function and the experiences they provide. AR and VR technologies have various applications in several industries, including entertainment, healthcare, education, and advertising.
