Extended Reality is the Frontier of The Digital Future

Extended Reality and the Difference Between AR, MR, and VR

Spatial computing refers to how humans and machines create and interact with one another in both real and digital spaces. As spatial computing technologies become more widespread, they are fundamentally altering how we live and interact with one another.

Today, we think of spatial computing as Extended Reality (XR). XR is a technological spectrum defined by how interactive you can be with both physical and virtual information. It covers a range of digital and physical realities and experiences. In a nutshell, extended reality encompasses the group of technologies that superimpose digital information onto the physical world and alters our perceptions. It changes how we perceive our physical reality.

Augmented Reality

Augmented Reality (AR) is a seamless and interactive overlay of computer-generated images. AR technology changes how we perceive reality by including or excluding new features. Examples of foundational AR technology include smartphones with a combination of their camera and screen interface.

Mixed Reality

Moving deeper into the immersive side of XR, there is a lot of confusion that occurs. That is, there is confusion about the difference between AR and MR. Mixed Reality, although similar to AR adds an additional element of complexity. With MR, computer-generated objects can interact with physical environments.

Augmented Reality and Mixed Reality are not interchangeable terms. The general distinction is: all MR is AR, but not all AR is MR. AR is a composite. MR is interactive.

While AR is characterized as an overlay of digital information, MR provides real-time digital information that can be interacted with. It creates a situation where digital and physical objects coexist. The combination of digital information within physical environments creates a unique hybrid experience with deeper nuance and complexity than AR.

Virtual Reality

VR gives you a first-person perspective within a 3D reality. In some current applications, VR allows you to interact with the environment as if you were there. In the context of VR, virtual represents digital objects and environments that have similar qualities to the physical world. But the virtual objects are not physical, they are digital.