Be it OTT platforms, various social media for entertainment, or various digital sources to gain knowledge. Technology has changed how we consume the data for various uses in different forms through different devices. And two of those technologies are augmented reality and virtual reality.
People often get confused between the features of augmented reality and virtual reality.
They presumed that these two technologies are the same and the only difference is how and through which device we experience the digitalized environment.
You might have come across many problems being solved by AR & VR in the news articles.
The inventions of augmented reality and virtual reality came into existence first for the purpose of entertainment and fun.
In addition, with it, people found out that this technology, if made proper use out of it then even the hitch can be untangled with this technology.
VR and AR are often used in many sectors, like medical treatment, defence to save our country, and the mental development of the children who are the future of our nation.
The news of the above-mentioned sectors that use this technology of digitalized reality is presented in front of audiences in a similar way.
Whether it is the news of augmented reality or the news of virtual reality.
The concept and solutions derived from this technology are presented with half information.
And often anchors present that the notion is the same at the end just the only difference is that virtual reality needs gears to gain the benefits from it.
This becomes the root and main cause of the confusion.
Furthermore, people are just aware that this technology exist, but they don’t know the benefits it brings.
And few of them just use one of them thinking that another one is just the substitute of it.
1. What Makes Augmented Reality Unique?
Augmented reality is somewhat similar to how the digitalized world is brought to you through any other technology, or, you can say, through virtual reality.
But the major difference is the existence of the real world within it.
In augmented reality, through computerized operation, a digital layer is spread over the real world or the physical world.
Just imagine you have made delicious pasta, and of course you won’t serve the pasta when it looks like a bland dish.
To make it look appealing and presentable, you will add a few basil leaves and sprinkle some oregano.
Similarly, digital elements work as a garnish that goes with the real environment.
Adding the virtualized objects or scenes above the real world is what makes augmented reality unique, giving it the effect of three dimensions.
In short, we can say the digital or virtualized world is mixed and blended with the real world, and then augmented reality is created.
AR doesn’t need any special gear, like that needed in VR, to get access to the digital world.
Through any device, be it a smart devices, digital glasses, or tablet, you can enjoy augmented reality.
In AR, the designers design the virtual elements in such a way that the virtual world and the real world can coexist.
If the design or augmented reality is made for commercial purposes, then the virtual element is more informative and detailed.
And if it is for entertainment purposes, then the picturization and graphics are enhanced.
Snapchat filters are the best example of augmented reality, the dog ears or the sunglasses are added to your face as a digital layer.
While shopping at Ikea, you can trial the 3D version of a chair in your home, you can even zoom in and see the texture.
2. The Key Traits That Set Virtual Reality Apart
Although they both use mechanics and have a similar features, virtual reality and augmented reality possess traits that are different from each other.
If you want to enter the digitalized world and feel what virtual reality is like, you’ll require a source, like a headset.
Instead of combing the digital elements into the real environment and bringing the digital world to you.
In virtual reality you directly enter into a virtualized world, where everything is computerized.
You may become so engaged in the digitally produced reality that you feel like you are a part of the virtual reality.
In virtual reality, due to the environment generated by the computer, there is stimulation of all 3 senses: vision, hearing, & touch.
You wore a VR headset and were all set to fight monsters. The moment a monster hit you. There are chances that you may feel its punch and hear its roar.
The entire battleground would be visible from every angle.
When you immerse yourself in a virtual world, you may feel like you are in the real world. But you won’t be able to set apart the actual world from the simulated world.
Because the moment you wear that headset, you will be cut off from the real environment and enter virtual reality.
Instead of a digital layer, the environment is fabricated in such a way that the whole virtual world appears larger than life way.
The best example of this will be the virtual reality home design websites. After wearing the headsets, the virtual version of your dream residency will be organized.
And guess what? you can even walk through the entire home and decide how it would look.
3. Conclusion
There are various sectors such as e-commerce, travel, military, education, health, gaming, and entertainment where the virtual reality and augmented reality are combined together and used.
In addition, augmented reality is mainly used in the commercial industry when any company wants their users to know about the product in detail.
They also give them the exposure of really owning that product.
Simply keep the mobile in front of the area where you want to place the sofa if you need any.
When you turn on the camera, a third dimensional representation of the sofa will appear. Even details includes the texture and pattern of the sofa.
Virtual reality is primarily aimed towards entertainment and games than anything else.
While most virtual reality environments are digitalized, some industries, like travel and the military, upload the real world with a 360-degree view, which is then viewed through a headset.