Extended realitysounds cutting-edge and futuristic, and in a way it is.But you might be surprised to learn that you've probably used XR without knowing it. That's because it's really just a blanket term to refer to various types of reality.
XR stands for extended reality. It summarizes a group of technologies-VR, AR, MR-that let you experience and interact with virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality environments.
This means XR is really just an umbrella term for those experiences. Whether you're talking about a virtual reality headset or an augmented reality mobile app, what you're referring to isextended reality.
Here's an overview of these three technologies:
This is arguably the most well-known XR term. Virtual reality is just that: avirtualview of the world, meaning it's a fully simulated 3D environment that can be interacted with in a seemingly physical way. If you're after a truly immersive experience, VR is where you want to be.
Virtual reality is often used for gaming and entertainment, but its other applications include training, education, and design.
A headset is used for VR experiences. It interrupts your normal vision to display the virtual environment, tracks your head movement, and usually includes controllers or other input devices so you can interact with the virtual world much like you would the real world.
Metaverse vs. Virtual RealityAugmented reality covers the real world with computer-generated images and other information. Unlike VR, these virtual elements don't take over your whole vision, so you're able to see and interact with the real world and the virtual items simultaneously.
AR applications include education, training, entertainment, and marketing.
You can use AR through a smartphone or a headset.
David Grandmougin / Unsplash
Mixed reality blends the real and virtual world in a way that lets you interact with both simultaneously. It's similar to AR, but it allows for a greater level of immersion and interaction with the virtual environment.
MR systems typically use headsets to track movements and position in the real world and to display the appropriate virtual information.
Microsoft HoloLens is one example of a mixed-reality headset.
AR vs. VR vs. MR vs. XR: What's the Difference?Extended reality has a wide range of applications, including:
Among VR, MR, and AR are related terms like headsets and smart glasses. VR, and often MR and AR, are experienced through a headset. Smart glasses (at least some models) can fall into the AR category because they display virtual information next to real-world information, similar to AR smartphone apps. This makes smart glasses a form of extended reality.
VR/AR Headsets vs. Smart Glasses: What's the Difference? FAQThe technology surrounding the ideas mentioned above began to emerge from research started in the 1960s and 1970s. As progress on miniaturing components continues, the hope is these devices will be lighter for when you wear them over your head (VR headsets) and smaller for when you wear them on your face (augmented reality glasses). New models of headsets are coming out each year with improvements.
While each device will have different capabilities, they consist of sensors and screens working in conjunction to display images to your eyes based on your body's position and where you're looking. The sensors include motion detection and accelerometers, and the screens use high-resolution displays and stereo projection so the correct image is displayed to the correct eye, giving a 3D effect.