Augmented Reality vs. Virtual Reality: What’s the Difference?

they are expected to hit $58.1 billion by 2028.

But what exactly sets these two immersive technologies apart? Let’s explore the fascinating differences between AR and VR. Understanding the distinctions is not only informative – it’s a gateway to unlocking the full potential of these technologies and envisioning how they can revolutionize various industries.

Read: Navigating the Pros and Cons of Artificial Intelligence

What Is Augmented Reality?

AR overlays digital content onto the physical world via cameras or smartphones, enhancing our perception of reality. This technology seamlessly integrates computer-generated images, videos, sound or information into our real-world environment, giving the user control over what they experience.

In other words, AR doesn’t create a completely immersive experience like VR; it enhances what we see, hear and feel in real time. However, due to the high cost of AR headsets and the complicated technology involved, including computer vision and depth tracking, AR is primarily available on smartphones and tablets in a limited amount.

Some examples of AR in business include:

• Automotive and aerospace: AR technology can also enhance the design process in the automotive and aerospace industries. Designers can create and change models and make adjustments to prototypes, saving time and money.
• Construction and design: Architects and designers can use AR to see what products or structures look like in natural environments. They can also adjust existing products.
• Gaming: AR has made its way to games, including Pokémon Go.
• Healthcare: AR has also made its way into hospitals and emergency rooms. Overlays can show critical steps of an operation, a patient’s vitals and more.
• Maintenance and repairs: AR can guide technicians through repairing, upgrading or maintaining products, including industrial equipment and even buildings.
• Manufacturing: AR is also changing the manufacturing industry by making processes more efficient, safe and productive. Quality control can check products and quickly detect any defects.
• Marketing: AR can help drive sales and boost customer engagement by creating new ways of interacting with customers. Static banners and ads are being replaced with interactive billboards and magazines.
• Real estate: AR lets potential buyers experience properties and even visualize where their furniture and appliances should go.
• Retail: From virtual hair and makeup to changing rooms, retail companies use AR to provide a revamped shopping experience. Another example of this is IKEA Place.
• Smart glasses: Smart glasses, like Microsoft HoloLens, are changing how users view the world.
• Social media: Another example of AR is using filters in social media apps, like Snapchat and Instagram.
• Sports: AR is changing how we view sports by providing real-time statistics and improving physical training. Yellow lines marking first downs in football are another example.
• Training: Businesses can use AR to provide an immersive experience when training employees. Instead of relying on videos or 2D diagrams, they can use immersive information to boost productivity and safety.

What Is Virtual Reality?

On the other hand, VR is a whole new level of immersion. It transports users to a completely computer-generated environment, shutting out the physical world and taking away the user’s control of what they experience. VR technology typically involves wearing a headset that covers the user’s eyes and ears, transporting them to a simulated reality with sights, sounds and even sensations. Users can interact with this virtual environment as if it were real, often using handheld controllers, gloves or other input devices.

VR uses computer automation, tracking and sensors to create the virtual world and trick the brain into interpreting the simulation as real.

Examples of VR include:

• Automotive: VR helps the automotive industry improve vehicle safety by identifying possible causes of crashes and improving prototypes.
• Entertainment: Beyond gaming, VR allows users to attend concerts, festivals and theater productions. Users can also take virtual trips to museums or countries
• Gaming: VR is mainly known for its influence on virtual gaming headsets, including PlayStation VR, Meta Quest 2, the Valve Index, HTC Vive and Samsung Gear VR.
• Healthcare: VR can help patients with PTSD, phobias, anxiety and neurological disorders. This technology can also allow doctors and surgeons to practice procedures and surgeries.
• Manufacturing: VR headsets can help manufacturers analyze equipment and evaluate processes. Manufacturers can also create digital twins, or 3D virtual product models.
• Marketing: VR is making waves in the marketing industry. Agencies can create immersive brand experiences that present products and services in new, innovative ways.
• Real estate: With VR, homeowners can “walk through” a house and experience it, sometimes before it’s even been built.
• Sports: VR can help measure an athlete’s performance and analyze their techniques. Users can also stream sporting events from their couch.
• Training: Firefighters, police, military personnel, flight pilots and other workers in hazardous environments often use VR to train without being put at risk.

Difference Between Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality

Both VR and AR provide altered realities to enhance or entirely replace reality. However, they do so in fundamentally different ways:

• Reality vs. stimulation: The fundamental difference between the two lies in how AR and VR interact with reality. AR enhances the real world by adding digital elements, giving the user some control. VR creates an entirely new, simulated environment, removing the user’s control.
• Level of immersion: VR offers a high level of immersion, often completely replacing the user’s physical surroundings with a virtual world. In contrast, AR overlays digital content onto the real world, so that users can remain aware of their physical environment.
• Hardware requirements: VR typically requires specialized hardware like headsets, headphones, controllers and gloves to deliver the immersive experience. In contrast, AR can be experienced using smartphones, tablets or AR glasses.

Manufacturers Can Embrace the Modern Workplace with Thriveon

Augmented reality and virtual reality are powerful tools shaping industries of all shapes and sizes, including manufacturing. Utilizing these platforms and embracing the modern workplace can help revolutionize IT strategies, leading to potential cost savings and revenue generation. The best partner for this is Thriveon. That’s why we offer robust modern office services to Minnesota and Florida manufacturers that align with their overall business goals.

Ready to see how AR and VR can improve your business? Schedule a meeting with us now to explore the potential benefits of these technologies for your company.