Difference between AR, VR, MR and XR

Jeffrey Boopathy
5 min readFeb 3, 2023

--

When it comes to immersive technology, it can be easy to get confused by all the different acronyms and terms floating around like AR, VR, MR, and XR. These technologies all fall under the umbrella of immersive technology, but they have distinct differences. AR, or Augmented Reality, adds digital elements to the user’s view of the real world.

VR, or Virtual Reality, completely immerses the user in a digital world. XR, or Extended Reality, encompasses both AR and VR, as well as other forms of immersive technology.

Related article: Metaverse healthcare use cases

MR, or Mixed Reality, combines elements of both AR and VR, allowing digital objects to interact with the real world in a more seamless and realistic way.

Understanding the distinctions between these technologies can help you choose the right one for your project or application. In this blog post, we’ll break down the differences between four of the most commonly used terms: AR, VR, XR, and MR.

What is AR?

AR stands for Augmented Reality, it is a technology that superimposes digital information, such as images, text, or animations, on top of the user’s view of the real world. The goal of AR is to enhance the user’s perception of the real world rather than replacing it.

One of the most popular examples of AR is the mobile game Pokemon Go, which overlays digital creatures onto the player’s camera view. Another example is furniture shopping apps that allow users to see how a piece of furniture would look in their own home. AR technology can also be used in industrial training, for example, a technician can use AR to see an overlay of a machine’s parts, or to see instructions on how to repair it.

A recent example of AR technology is the app “Google Lens,” which uses a smartphone’s camera to recognize objects and provide additional information about them. For example, you can point your camera at a landmark and Google Lens will provide you with information about it or if you point it to a business card it will automatically save the contact information to your phone.

Reference link:

Google Lens: https://www.google.com/lens/

What is VR?

VR stands for Virtual Reality, it is a technology that completely immerses the user in a digital world, blocking out the real world. VR technology is typically achieved by using a headset or other device that displays a computer-generated environment to the user, while also tracking their head movements and providing a sense of presence in the virtual world.

One recent example of VR technology is the Oculus Quest 2, a standalone VR headset developed by Facebook. The device doesn’t require a computer or gaming console to operate, users can simply put on the headset and move around in a virtual environment using the built-in tracking system. The device allows users to play VR games, watch movies, and access a wide range of other VR content.

Another recent example is the Valve Index, a PC-based VR system that includes a high-resolution headset, controllers, and base stations for precise tracking. The device offers a high-end VR experience with advanced features such as finger tracking and a wide field of view.

What is XR?

XR stands for Extended Reality, which is an umbrella term that encompasses all forms of reality-based technology. XR technology is used to create immersive experiences that blur the line between the real and digital worlds. XR can be used in a wide range of applications, including gaming, entertainment, education, and industry.

A recent example of XR technology is the Google Glass Enterprise Edition 2, a set of smart glasses that combines AR and MR technology to provide hands-free access to digital information and tools. The device allows workers in various industries, such as manufacturing and healthcare, to access information and interact with digital content while keeping their hands free to complete tasks.

Another example is the Meta 2, a AR headset that allows users to interact with digital objects in the real world using hand gestures and voice commands. It is used for various purposes such as design, engineering, education and entertainment.

What is MR?

MR stands for Mixed Reality, it is a form of XR (Extended Reality) that combines elements of both AR (Augmented Reality) and VR (Virtual Reality), allowing digital objects to interact with the real world in a more seamless and realistic way. MR technology uses a combination of sensors, cameras and other hardware to map and understand the user’s environment, and then overlay digital objects onto the real world in a way that appears natural and believable.

An example of recent MR technology is the HoloLens 2, developed by Microsoft. It is a headset that uses advanced holographic technology to allow users to see and interact with digital objects in the real world, such as 3D models, holograms and digital instructions. The device is equipped with a variety of sensors and cameras that track the user’s movements and gestures, allowing them to interact with the digital objects in a natural and intuitive way.

MR is used in a variety of industries such as gaming, simulation, training, collaboration, design, and manufacturing. In industrial settings, MR can be used to help technicians visualize and troubleshoot complex machinery, or to provide remote training to employees. In design and architecture, MR can be used to create virtual walkthroughs of buildings, or to visualize how furniture will look in a room before it’s purchased.

You can find more information on HoloLens 2 and other MR technology from the official Microsoft website: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/hololens/hololens-2.

Difference between AR, VR, MR, XR

Here is a table that summarizes the key differences between AR, VR, XR, and MR, along with examples of each:

In conclusion, AR, VR, XR, and MR are all different forms of technology that are used to enhance our experience of the world around us. Each one offers unique benefits and applications, from enhancing our real-world surroundings with digital information to immersing us in entirely virtual environments. As these technologies continue to evolve and improve, we can expect to see even more exciting and innovative ways they are used in the future. Whether you’re looking to improve your gaming experience, explore new worlds, or simply stay connected to the people and information that matter most to you

Make sure to give a follow to learn more about Metaverse Technologies.

--

--

Jeffrey Boopathy
Jeffrey Boopathy

Written by Jeffrey Boopathy

🎙Building my first Saas product | 5+ years in podcasting | Let's connect on LinkedIn -> https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreyboopathy/

No responses yet