12.4.3.2 explain the purpose of virtual and augmented reality
Virtual and augmented reality
Definition
Virtual reality (VR) is a simulated experience that can be similar to or completely different from the real world.
Augmented reality (AR) is a system used to overlay (superimpose) information about the world around you onto a screen.
Features
Virtual Reality creates a fully immersive, simulated environment that users can interact with, often using specialized hardware like VR headsets and controllers. VR can bring you anywhere, helping you learn about different places and ideas by experiencing them as if you were there.
Augmented Reality can put answers right where your questions are, overlaying helpful visual content and information on your real world.
A great example of this would be being an empty room yet being able to use digital technology to see how it would look in a different color with different furnishings before actually purchasing them. Sound graphics and other sensory input can help to make the experience more realistic.
Google Glass looks like a pair of glasses and contains a miniature projector that displays information onto the lens in front of your eye. It uses voice control and contains a built-in camera that can be used to record video and take pictures.
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Differences between VR, AR, and MR
Pros vs. Cons of using Virtual reality
Pros
Cons
Immersive experience: VR provides users with a highly immersive experience by creating a simulated environment that surrounds them, making them feel like they are physically present in a different place or scenario.
Cost: VR equipment, including headsets, controllers, and powerful computers, can be expensive to purchase and maintain. This cost can be a barrier to entry for many individuals, especially for high-quality VR experiences.
Training and education: VR is extensively used for training purposes in industries such as aviation, healthcare, military, and more. It allows trainees to practice and learn in a safe, controlled environment without real-world risks. Medical students can perform surgeries, pilots can simulate flights, and soldiers can engage in combat scenarios.
Isolation: While VR provides an immersive experience, it can also lead to a sense of isolation. Users are often cut off from the real world and from face-to-face interactions, which can have social and psychological impacts.
Architectural visualization: Architects and designers use VR to create interactive, 3D models of buildings and spaces. This enables clients and stakeholders to "walk through" the design before construction, helping to identify potential issues and modifications early on.
Health and safety concerns: People engaged in VR experiences might not be fully aware of their physical surroundings, leading to potential accidents or collisions with objects and obstacles in the real world.
Virtual tourism: VR allows users to virtually explore destinations and landmarks around the world without leaving their homes. This can be particularly useful for travel planning and education.
Accessibility: Some individuals, such as those with certain disabilities, might face challenges in accessing and fully experiencing VR content due to physical or sensory limitations.
Pros vs. Cons of using Augmented reality
Pros
Cons
Enhanced user experience: AR enriches the real-world experience by adding digital elements, making interactions more engaging, informative, and entertaining.
Technical limitations: AR applications require advanced hardware, such as smartphones, tablets, or AR glasses, with sufficient processing power and camera capabilities. Lower-end devices may struggle to provide a smooth and reliable AR experience.
Real-time Information: AR provides users with real-time information overlaid on their surroundings. This is particularly useful in fields like navigation, tourism, and retail, where users can access relevant data without switching between different apps or devices.
Limited field of view: AR displays typically have a limited field of view, which can constrain the amount of digital content that can be overlaid onto the real world. Users might need to move or adjust their devices to fully experience the augmented elements.
Training and learning: AR is employed in training scenarios, such as medical simulations, maintenance procedures, and on-the-job training. Trainees can receive step-by-step guidance and contextual information directly in their field of view.
Dependency on network connectivity: Many AR applications rely on internet connectivity to function properly. If the network is slow or unreliable, it can lead to delays, glitches, and reduced functionality.
Design and visualization: Architects, designers, and engineers use AR to visualize and manipulate 3D models in real-world spaces. This aids in the design process and helps clients understand how designs will look once implemented.
Privacy concerns: AR applications may access and utilize personal data, such as location information and camera feeds, raising privacy concerns about how this data is collected, stored, and used.
