You may have heard the terms AR and VR, but what exactly do they mean, and what is the difference? They are terms often considered interchangeable, yet there are some differences which we highlight below.
Bringing these accelerated computer technologies to a business can be a little daunting, so it pays to work with accelerated computing specialists such as ebb3 who have the experience in bringing digital workloads to life with enterprise grade augmented and virtual reality.
Here, we ask them to outline the difference between AR and VR and why it matters which you use.
VR (virtual reality)
Virtual reality brings an artificial environment to life. It has the power to take over your vision and hearing through a VR headset. You will listen to and see and, if it’s a holistic experience, might believe you are in the simulated environment. A computer provides sensory sight and sound stimulants. You feel a fully immersive experience, and your actions can partially control what happens in the environment.
Most of the tethered virtual reality technology works using the 6DOF. This technology is the six degrees of freedom motion, where all your movements and directions are sensed. It knows which way you are facing and where you are heading. This allows you to move around in the virtual space. You can see in various directions and become immersed in the environment brought to you through the headset.
AR (augmented reality)
Augmentation is something that has been made more significant in value or size. As such, augmented reality brings an enhanced version of reality, using technology to overlay digital image information onto an image viewed through a device. The overlay images are displayed additionally on the screen to merge with your authentic visionary images. Unlike VR, AR devices such as glasses and headsets are transparent so that you can see everything in front of you.
AR technology on smartphones places overlays on top of your camera image so that you can track your surroundings. The AR overlays can be complex holograms or simple data, depending on what you are looking to achieve. AR is not a fully immersive experience in the way that VR is; you see the natural environment as it is with overlays.
VR in business
VR has become a good business tool. It gives companies and individuals the power to recreate any task that happens in the real world into a virtual environment. VR technology enables employees to carry out tasks without being in a real environment. It has grown in use with the growing number of remote workers allowing collaboration from anywhere in the world. Training and practical tasks can be experienced, and customer service, HR, marketing, finance and production operations benefit from the simulation VR makes available.
One of the significant benefits of VR is the ability for the technology to interact and model with real-world simulated objects, including objects that would not be feasible in reality.
AR in business
AR use in business has been more readily adopted as it does not require the purchase of additional devices. Companies can increase customer experiences with their brand and make interaction a more personal experience through personalised AR content.
AR is also a widely used tool for training purposes. Employees can develop their knowledge and sharpen skills without a need to leave their typical environment.
Conclusion
The design may be similar, but the difference between VR as a fully immersive experience and AR as a real-world overlay is clear. They both offer an exciting experience, and additional value is still to be seen. AR and VR technologies have a future full of promise and the potential to develop customer and employee experiences further. It pays to work with experts in the field to bring them into your business to experience their full power.