(from FABIOLALLI.com)
In recent years, our daily reality has been steeped in technology that has woven a complex and multifaceted web that continually challenges our traditional perceptions of space, time and interaction. In this emerging context, concepts such as Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), Mixed Reality (MR), Extended Reality (XR) and, more recently, Hyper Reality, have not only become topics of fervent discussion among technologists, sociologists, philosophers, but have also opened up new frontiers of experience and possibilities for the average user who is beginning to see these issues as more commonplace, though not yet pervasive and mass-market.
Despite their increasing prevalence in our digital culture, the understanding of these terms and the distinction between their applications and potential remain shrouded in a fog of ambiguity and misunderstanding.
I am writing this article in response to questions I often receive in class, or from clients, and focus a bit more on these concepts, outlining not only their definitions but also exploring their impact on the fabric of modern society and the potential future that lies ahead. us. How the market for
I start here, "But what is the difference between Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality and Mixed Reality? " and to answer it is correct to delve into each of these classifications, starting with a basic concept.
What is Reality?
Reality, as we know it, is a deeply personal and subjective concept, shaped by our experiences, perceptions and interpretations of the world around us. This concept of reality has been further complicated and enriched by the advent of digital technologies, which have introduced new levels of experience and perception. Virtual reality, augmented reality, mixed reality and extended reality are all expressions of how technology is challenging and rewriting the rules of human perception, offering new windows through which to observe and interact with the world.
The distinction between the physical and digital worlds is becoming increasingly blurred, with technologies allowing us to immerse ourselves in virtual environments indistinguishable from reality, enrich our physical environment with digital information and objects, or even create spaces in which the physical and digital coexist and interact. in ways previously unthinkable. The modern understanding of reality cannot ignore the influence of immersive technologies that, day after day, rewrite our sensory and cognitive experiences.
Delving into the Continuum Concept of Virtuality.
The concept of the virtuality continuum provides a fundamental theoretical framework for understanding the vast landscape of immersive technologies. Originally proposed by Paul Milgram and Fumio Kishino in 1994, the virtuality continuum explores the full spectrum of experiences that extend from the real, fully physical world to the fully virtual world, providing a map for navigating the various gradations of mixed reality. This spectrum is not static, but dynamic, reflecting the continuous evolution of technology and its applications in mixing digital and physical elements.
At the far end of the continuum we find pure reality, unmediated by any digital technology. As we move along the continuum, we encounter augmented reality, which overlays digital elements on top of the physical world, and mixed reality, which allows deeper interaction between these elements. Moving on, we arrive at the fully immersive environment of virtual reality, where the physical world is replaced by the digital one. This model helps us understand that the experiences offered by AR, MR and VR are not isolated entities, but parts of a fluid continuum of reality, each with its own unique potential to transform our interaction with the world.
What is Augmented Reality (AR)?
Augmented reality (AR) represents the technology that superimposes digital content-such as images, videos, or data-on the real world, thus enriching the natural visual experience with additional information perceived through devices such as smartphones, tablets, or specific viewers. Unlike virtual reality, which creates a completely artificial environment, AR enhances the existing environment without replacing it, keeping the user anchored in his or her physical context while interacting with digital elements.
The application of AR is wide and varied, ranging from entertainment to education, from industrial maintenance to marketing. In educational applications, for example, AR can transform a traditional textbook into an interactive experience, with images that come to life or 3D models that students can explore from different angles. In commerce, AR offers consumers the ability to view 3D products in their environment before making a purchase, enhancing the online shopping experience with a level of interaction and personalization previously inaccessible.
What is Virtual Reality (VR)?
he virtual reality (VR) transports the user into a fully generated/rendered world, creating an all-encompassing immersive experience that can simulate reality or transport into fantastic environments or real environments reproduced or recorded with 360 photos/videos. Unlike AR, which integrates and enriches the physical environment with digital elements, VR replaces the real world with a virtual space, isolating the user from the outside world and engaging all senses to produce a fully immersive experience. Users interact with the virtual world through devices such as VR visors, tactile gloves and motion tracking systems, or other systems that can enable additional dynamics (e.g., Disney's new Holotile carpet) and that together create the feeling of being physically present in the digital environment.
The use of VR ranges from entertainment and games, where it provides immersive and spectacular experiences, to education and training, where it can simulate complex or dangerous situations in a safe context. For example, pilots use VR simulators for flight or automotive training, allowing them to practice in various weather conditions and emergency situations without the risks associated with real-world dynamics. In the medical field, VR is being used for surgical training, rehabilitation and even for the treatment of psychological disorders, such as phobia and post-traumatic stress disorder, providing a controlled environment in which patients can face and work through their fears.
What is Mixed Reality (MR)?
Mixed reality (MR) goes beyond augmented reality and adds some of the potential of VR by integrating and overlaying virtual elements with the real world so that they interact dynamically with the physical environment. This means that digital objects placed in an MR space can be manipulated and can respond to changes in the real environment, creating an experience that combines the best of both worlds. Thus, MR represents a significant advancement in human-computer interaction, as it requires a deeper understanding and more sophisticated integration of physical and digital reality.
Applications of MR are particularly promising in fields such as design and engineering, where professionals can collaborate on virtual 3-D models superimposed on the real working environment, enabling unprecedented visualization and manipulation of designs under development. In education, MR can immerse students in interactive learning environments that stimulate both engagement and understanding, offering hands-on experiences in otherwise inaccessible or dangerous real-world settings.
What is Extended Reality (XR)?
Extended reality (XR) represents the concept that incorporates all forms of combined reality, from augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR) to virtual reality (VR), and any other future technology that blurs the boundaries between the physical and digital worlds. XR is not limited to a single type of interaction or experience; rather, it embraces the full spectrum of environments that extend, enrich, or completely replace physical reality with a digital one. This term has become increasingly prevalent as immersive technologies have developed, reflecting their collective potential to create unprecedented experiences that can revolutionize areas such as education, entertainment, medicine, and commerce.
The importance of XR lies in its ability to seamlessly integrate digital information with the physical world, thereby enhancing our understanding and interaction with the reality around us. In particular, technologies such as Connectivity in Mobility, Artificial Intelligence, IOT and Wearable Techgnology are converging toward XR.
In education, students can explore virtual environments that reproduce historical events or simulate complex scientific phenomena, offering a level of immersion and interactivity that traditional teaching methods struggle to achieve. In healthcare, XR can assist surgeons by visualizing patient anatomy in 3D during surgeries, reducing the risk of errors and improving outcomes of operations.
