Virtual Reality vs Augmented Reality | How is VR different from AR?

Virtual reality and augmented reality are two gem technologies of the century. Both have a unique potential of transforming a user experience by involving a virtual world or elements in the experience.

These two technologies are revolutionizing gaming, education, healthcare, and many more industries. However, these two technologies are often confused. but they are two different concepts. Thus, AR vs VR can be a good topic for a healthy debate!

It can be said that on the one hand where AR enhances the real world by adding digital objects, VR creates a completely immersive digital environment that replaces the real world.

In this blog, we will discuss AR vs VR by exploring the key differences between virtual reality and augmented reality.

First, let us understand augmented reality and virtual reality in detail.

What is Augmented Reality?

Have you tried shopping for furniture online? Suppose you go to IKEA or Amazon online shopping application to buy a study table. You can now witness how the particular piece of the table will look in your study room without even buying it. But how?

It is feasible because a virtual element of a study table is superimposed on the physical entity of your room. This is what augmented reality is! Augmented reality is a technology that can club both the physical and virtual worlds, offering users a unique and augmented experience.

The AR experience is not completely immersive because the user is still in the physical world. Or a user experiences virtual elements in the real world via AR technology.

The advances and exploration of this technology have enriched the applications in various fields from healthcare to marketing.

What is Virtual Reality?

Remember watching a 3D film using 3D glasses? What was it? A particular film had some 3D elements in it. Viewers could watch it only if they had 3D glasses. These glasses made viewers witness 3D elements in the movie.

Virtual reality is quite an intelligent expansion of this experience. In VR, users get to wear VR headsets. These headsets are medium to unlock an immersive VR experience for users. VR enables users to get wholly present in a virtual environment.

For example, suppose students are learning about civil engineering in VR. When they learn about a bridge construction site in VR, they will be surrounded by elements such as machines involved in various stages of bridge construction. It makes students comprehend the concepts most effectively through experiential learning.

Such as, there are various applications of virtual reality in multiple industries. VR can help manufacturers in developing interactive prototypes. Also, healthcare professionals can get realistic training in a virtual place.

Now let us understand virtual reality vs augmented reality.

AR vs VR: The Key Differences

Though both AR and VR offer immersive virtual experiences, they have some important differences. Virtual reality vs augmented reality is as under:

AR vs VR: Definition and Functionality

AR is a technology that enhances the user's real-world environment by superimposing computer-generated information such as text, images, or animations onto the real world.

It allows users to interact with virtual elements in the real world, enhancing their perception of reality.

Whereas, VR is a technology that simulates an entirely virtual environment, allowing users to fully immerse themselves in a computer-generated world.

Virtual reality vs augmented reality: Which is more immersive?

In VR technology, users are fully immersed in a simulated environment. Users in VR can interact with the virtual world in a way that replicates real-world experiences.

In contrast, AR enables users to remain in the real world while experiencing virtual elements that are overlaid in the physical environment. Therefore, VR offers a completely immersive experience whereas AR is partially immersive.

Virtual Reality vs Augmented Reality: Hardware requirement to witness the technology

VR typically requires specialized hardware such as a headset, controller, and sensors to fully immerse users in the virtual world. Some of the best VR headsets furnish users with unique and high-quality user experiences.

On the other hand, AR can be experienced through smartphones, tablets, or smart glasses that can recognize and overlay virtual elements in the real world.

AR vs VR: Applications

AR and VR have different application bases. AR is often used for enriching real-world experiences with fewer virtual elements.

For example, it can benefit users by providing virtual product demonstrations, overlaying directions on a map, or enhancing educational content. AR is widely used in medical training for surgery. 

Whereas, VR is often used to offer realistic and immersive experiences. For example, there are VR-based games, education and training using VR, virtual conferences and gatherings in VR, etc.

VR is specifically used for high-quality simulated environments and AR is used for augmented real-world experience.

AR gaming can keep users connected with the real-world while VR games make users completely immersed in a virtual or computer-generated environment.

AR-based training in healthcare overlays virtual elements in training, while VR-based learning will demand users to roam around a virtual human skull to learn about it.

AR vs VR: Social Interaction

VR enables users to interact with other users in a simulated environment, making it ideal for socializing. For example, VR-based games support multiplayer involvement.

The metaverse, a technology popularly known for its networking, virtual environment, and creative benefits is an expansion of VR technology. 

Contrary to this, AR specifically focuses on enhancing individual experiences. Therefore, AR is less focused on social interaction.

Conclusion

AR and VR- are the two technologies that have elevated the way we live! For example, buying furniture online would be boring without AR. Or, learning about field trips using VR would be a new norm soon?

On comparing virtual reality vs augmented reality, it can be said that both AR and VR bring uniqueness with their excellent features, improving productivity, and efficiency and adding fun!

iXRLabs has been catering to various higher education areas such as engineering, medical science, and science with AR and VR applications. Stay tuned for more interesting AR and VR talks!