Augmented Reality versus Virtual Reality

 

Have you ever imagined yourself inside a video game? or ever imagined seeing a virtual toy in our real-world via your phone? 

Ok, you have! then You’ve probably heard of Augmented Reality aka AR and virtual reality aka VR before. But what is it? What is augmented reality? What is virtual reality? Do you really know?

Let’s know more about AR and VR and which is better.

Augmented Reality

Augmented Reality (AR) is when you use a mobile device (like the iPhone) to see virtual objects in a physical environment. You can move around and the virtual objects will move with you. AR adds digital elements to a live view often by using the camera on a smartphone. The best examples of augmented reality experiences include Snapchat lenses and the Pokémon Go game. AR is one of the biggest technology trends of the 21st century, and it’s only going to get bigger as AR-ready smartphones and other devices have become more accessible all over the globe. AR let us see the real-life environment/virtual events right in front of us in this real life.

Types of AR

AR is mainly differenced in three broad types,

• Marker-based AR
• Marker-less AR
• Location-based AR

Marker-based AR: Marker-based AR uses image recognition to identify objects that have been pre-programmed into your AR device or app. Fiducial markers help the AR device determine the position and orientation of its camera. A popular example of marker-based AR includes Augmented Reality QR codes, logos, or product packaging, etc.

Marker-less AR: Marker-less AR is a bit trickier. Not having markers means that nothing has been pre-programmed into your device or app, it has to recognize items on the fly. The recognition algorithm in your device or app looks for patterns, colours, or other features that might tip it off. The best example of marker-less AR is the Pokémon Go game.

Location-based AR: Location-based AR uses GPS technology based on your device to project the image so this AR is commonly known as GPS-based or Geo-based AR. The best example of Location-based AR is Google Map Street view. This AR has a huge potential in the travel and tourism industries.

 

Virtual Reality

Virtual Reality (VR) is when you put on a headset (like the Oculus Rift) and you’re completely immersed in an environment. You can move your head to look around, and it feels like you’re in that environment. VR gives you a virtual tour in the real world, it implies a complete immersion experience that shuts out the physical world. Using VR devices such as Oculus Rift or Google Cardboard, users can be transported into a number of real-world and imagined environments such as the middle of a war game, alien colony, or even the back of a dinosaur. During 2020 with the COVID-19 restrictions, VR is experiencing an enormous rise. According to Grand View Research, the global VR market will grow to 62.1 billion dollars in 2027.

Virtual Reality Software: VR creates a completely 3-D environment, in 1994 the Virtual Reality Modelling Language (VRML) was first introduced. VR software works together with VR hardware to immerse the user into the virtual world. Developers also have to create interactive components within the environments that look and even feel like the real deal. Currently, most VR technology uses a JavaScript application programming interface (API) that provides support for various virtual reality devices, such as Oculus Rift, Google Cardboard, or OSVR.

Virtual Reality Hardware: VR hardware is used in conjunction with the software to provide the illusion of being in a 3-D environment. Modern VR headset displays are based on technology developed for smartphones including such as gyroscopes and motion sensors for tracking head, body, and hand positions; small HD screens for stereoscopic displays; and small, lightweight and fast computer processors. Common hardware includes VR glasses, gloves, and other accessories to simulate other senses like touch and feel.

 

Augmented Reality vs Virtual Reality

AR or VR Which is better? It’s hard to say, we believe that depends on what you want to do. Both technologies are going to rule our digital life by opening new doorways.

·   AR is when you use to see virtual objects in a physical environment. You can move around and the virtual objects will move with you. AR technology has a potential market to grow with increasing reel-real life gaming experiences, digitalization of life, and the tourism industry.

·    VR gives us a reel life feel this real life, we can feel things that are not existing in the practical world. Also, in the near future VR technology is going to see huge growth with increasing VR gaming studios and movies. Already we have the data to prove that, according to Grand View Research, the global VR market will grow to 62 billion dollars in 2027.

 

AR or VR, Which is better?

Both AR and VR are developing very fast and will grow in the near future. If you ask me if it is better to go for virtual reality or augmented reality, then I think it is definitely better to use virtual reality as we get a good experience of augmented reality in many apps.

ණ Rupjyoti

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