As new technologies are integrated into the routine life of human beings and around us. The gap between the virtual world and the real world continues to break. This provides us with amazing new experiences capable of surpassing everyday life. Different software and hardware companies are betting on Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality solutions.

If you are studying both types of reality they can cause you confusion. In this post we will explain the differences between augmented reality and virtual reality.

What is augmented reality?

Augmented Reality is the one that offers information and digital experience on real elements. That is, with AR you see everything around you but with the difference that you can act with your real environment. Objects such as glasses, helmets and even the lenses of your smartphone can be used to create this type of real and digital reality.

AR Examples

Today there are several examples of Augmented Reality (such as Augmented Reality in marketing campaigns ). For example, If you like Pokemon Go games it is one of the most common and currently used Augmented Reality examples. Millions of registered users are in search of virtual creatures in all cities with their smartphones.

You can download an AR app and use this technology if you own a smartphone. There’s also a different way to experience this kind of reality through headphones. In this way the digital element is shown in the reality of the user.

If you have visited IKEA Place, you will have realised that we can recreate a possible decoration of a flat or how to reform it. This company is a pioneer in the use of RA in its product catalogue. Consumer reaction is positive. This is a prime example of augmented reality, and the technology can be applied in a number of ways.

This type of immersive reality uses glasses, speakers, and sometimes handheld devices to simulate the real world experience. Tactile stimulation can also be included. This is the type of technology that is valued for the creation of the Facebook Metaverse .

Augmented virtual reality: advantages

  • Augmented reality
  • Offers individualised learning.
  • Encourages the learning process.
  • Great variety of fields.
  • Offers innovation and continuous improvement.
  • Increase precision.
  • It can be used to increase user knowledge and information.
  • People can share experiences over a long distance.
  • It helps developers create games that offer a “real” user experience.
  • Immersive learning.
  • Create an interactive environment.
  • Increase work capacities.

Geolocation

AR systems support a geolocation tracker that helps you see artificial objects in the real world through an AR-ready lens.

Let’s take the same example from Pokemon Go. When looking for Pokémon, you will find them only thanks to the geo-location tracker.

Accuracy

AR shows the precise objects near you when you want to see them. Although it may not be 100% accurate, its accuracy level is close to 100%, so it can feel and see natural objects up close.

For example, when you play Pokémon Go and search for Pokémon, you will see artificial Pokémon in 3D reality. Another example we can take is measurement apps that can measure the quantity, distance, weight of any object, etc., and give accurate results.

Easy to use

The mechanism and concept behind AR technology are so simple that a person can easily use it on any device, regardless of whether they have knowledge or experience in using AR.

Disadvantages of Augmented Reality

  • It is very expensive to implement and develop projects based on this technology and maintain them.
  • The lack of privacy.
  • The low level of performance of the devices.

What is virtual reality?

Virtual Reality or also known as VR , is one that totally immerses you in a virtual world. It allows you to be in an artificial environment through the simulation of a sensory experience. To be in this virtual world you usually need special glasses like headphones.

These glasses are completely designed for this type of experience. You have a screen that shows you another world or panorama. By covering your eyes, the device is able to recognize the movement of your head and limbs. This way every time you move and make real movements you would also be doing them within the VR world.

VR Examples

Virtual Reality is mainly used in the imaginary creation of games and entertainment such as video games on consoles such as the PlayStation and 3D movies. Other examples of Virtual Reality can be experienced in the development of virtual projects to recreate an environment before it exists in a physical way.

Real life environments can also be enhanced through the creation of reality simulators. Where people can practise or experiment. A clear example of Virtual Reality is the flight simulators for the practice of air pilots.

Disadvantages of Virtual Reality

  • Escapism: People start living in the virtual world instead of dealing with real world problems.
  • Training in a virtual environment never returns the same result as doing it in the real world. This means that if someone did well with simulated tasks in a virtual reality environment, there is no guarantee that that person will do well in the real world.

Differences between Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality

Although Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality are very similar, Augmented Reality improves the user experience by adding virtual elements as a new way of interacting in the real world. Virtual Reality creates its own world. Which is fully generated and operated by a computer.

Virtual Reality is experienced by the user through a controller through the head or hands. Allowing you to control and navigate your actions in a fictional environment simulating the real world. Increasingly we find the use of Augmented Reality in our mobile phones changing the way in which the real world and digital images interact.

Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality are two examples of experiences that add interaction between digital devices and the real world. Advanced technology allows us to open up new worlds. Both real and virtual worlds for experimentation and entertainment.

  • It is also becoming a method to treat post-traumatic stress.
  • The use of virtual reality devices such as Google Cardboard, HTC Vive, Oculus Rift allows users to transport themselves to environments such as a penguin colony or the back of a dragon.
  • Medical students use virtual reality to practise and perform surgical procedures.
  • Virtual patients are used to help students develop skills that can then be applied in the real world.
  • Although we talk in this article about the differences between augmented reality and virtual reality, the truth is that both are combined to obtain the best immersive results in favour of the user experience.