This post will explain the differences between augmented and virtual reality. Post 7 already explained the basics of VR, which is why this one will start off by explaining augmented reality in detail.
Augmented reality is the process of, as the name suggests, augmenting the users real world view by overlaying relevant data on some form of display. This can be easiest understood by taking a look at the earliest application of augmented reality: Heads-up-displays (HUDs). As most new technology, they were first utilised in a military setting, more specifically in the displays of airplanes and tanks, by projecting information onto the cockpit in order to provide information while still being able to observe their real surroundings. More recently, augmented reality is being used in video game HUDs, where the player’s health, ammunition and other status is being displayed. The army is experimenting with implementing this technology for real world soldiers as well, through the use of personal head-mounted visors.¹
More every uses are for example AR Glasses like the HoloLens or just a smartphone with AR apps and filters. Using these, the real environment is expanded on with mostly 3D objects that are superimposed to appear as they would if they were physically there. This has many uses outside of gaming or the military, as it can help visualise products or furniture during the shopping experience. AR is also used in medical settings, to practice operations or other procedures, as well as in architecture and archeology, to visualise buildings that don’t exist anymore, or buildings that are to be built.2
The main difference between augmented and virtual reality is the immersion factor. Augmented reality keeps the user in the real world, and only adds a few elements to that. This interaction with reality is often the key factor and main reason for choosing AR for a project. This in itself can however also be a drawback, as the added visuals always have to compete with what we see, which can be visually jarring next to one another. On top of that, the AR geometry has to be tracked to our head movement, so that everything stays in the right place relative to the real geometry that it is placed upon, which can also result in some immersion-breaking visuals.
In comparison, virtual reality blocks the users vision of the real world and fully immerses them. This of course does not allow for the same use cases as stated above, but can have other benefits. When using VR, the environment is usually created in 3D and can represent whatever is needed, without having to actually be there. This provides a clear advantage when thinking of large scale operations and training scenarios for users such as the military, police and medical personnel. More on that in a future post.
As this post illustrated, AR and VR are not really directly competing against each other and rather have a different area of use. For future posts towards the topic of my master’s thesis, I will be focussing on VR applications.
Sources
1. Hosch, William L.. “augmented reality.” Encyclopedia Britannica. Last modified September 8, 2023. https://www.britannica.com/technology/augmented-reality.
2. Technikum Wien. “Wie funktioniert Augmented Reality?” Technikum Wien Academy. Accessed January 10, 2024. https://academy.technikum-wien.at/ratgeber/was-ist-augmented-reality/
