Virtual Reality (VR) is a simulated experience that can be similar to or completely different from the real world. It typically involves the use of a headset, gloves, or other wearable devices that immerse the user in a computer-generated environment. The user is able to interact with this environment and experience it as if they were physically present within it.
VR technology works by creating a visual and auditory environment that is separate from the physical world and tracks the user’s movements and actions. This allows the user to have a sense of presence and interactivity within the virtual environment.
VR has a wide range of applications, from gaming and entertainment, to education and training, to medical and therapeutic purposes. In gaming, for example, VR can provide an immersive experience that allows players to feel as if they are truly inside the game world. In education and training, VR can be used to simulate real-world scenarios and provide hands-on experiences for students. In medicine, VR is being used to help treat conditions such as anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and phobias.
Augmented Reality (AR) is a technology that overlays digital information and images onto the physical world. Unlike Virtual Reality (VR), which creates a completely simulated environment, AR enhances or alters the user’s real-world view by adding virtual elements to it.
AR is typically experienced through a smartphone or tablet camera or a specialized AR headset. When the camera is pointed at a physical object, the AR technology recognizes the object and adds digital information or images to it. For example, AR can be used to display product information, navigation instructions, or educational content in a user’s field of view.
AR has a wide range of applications for industrial and commercial use, for example, AR can provide real-time information and instructions to workers, or help customers visualize products in their home or work environment.