A Guide not to get lost between virtual, augmented, mixed reality and so on.
We have launched this section of RADAR with the small guide for newbies in immersive technologies: virtual, augmented and mixed reality.
In general, companies and individuals (our clients) know what augmented reality and integrated augmented reality is. Mostly thanks to the “filters” or because they have seen something on the social networks. Some of them just have a good laugh using them and some of them have done some further research on the subject.
But what is all that about filters and how augmented / mixed reality filters work?
The first and the most important is to differentiate the terminology and technology. There are several definitions and some open academic debates about it. Generally speaking, augmented reality and virtual reality (the best known) are digital layers that offer an immersive experience.
Augmented reality is only a partial immersive experience. A digital layer is added over the real environment but does not cover it completely. It combines whatever we are seeing with the “digital addition”. In most cases, augmented reality requires the use of a mobile device: Pokemon Go, Snapchat and Instagram filters could serve as the classic example of AR.
On the other hand, in virtual reality the digital layer, the “world” in which we immerse ourselves, is absolutely digital and covers our entire field of vision. It is a 360º digital space or layer, which allows us to walk through it or interact with that environment. We can see that in virtual reality bestsellers such as the Super Hot video game or the Melita experience (nationally produced). These virtual reality experiences are easy to identify because 100% of experiences require hardware. Virtual reality “glasses” such as the famous Oculus Quest 2 or the Pico, SONY devices that work together with the Playstation console or Valve index.
The first and the most important is to differentiate the terminology and technology. There are several definitions and some open academic debates about it. Generally speaking, augmented reality and virtual reality (the best known) are digital layers that offer an immersive experience.
Augmented reality is only a partial immersive experience. A digital layer is added over the real environment but does not cover it completely. It combines whatever we are seeing with the “digital addition”. In most cases, augmented reality requires the use of a mobile device: Pokemon Go, Snapchat and Instagram filters could serve as the classic example of AR.
On the other hand, in virtual reality the digital layer, the “world” in which we immerse ourselves, is absolutely digital and covers our entire field of vision. It is a 360º digital space or layer, which allows us to walk through it or interact with that environment. We can see that in virtual reality bestsellers such as the Super Hot video game or the Melita experience (nationally produced). These virtual reality experiences are easy to identify because 100% of experiences require hardware. Virtual reality “glasses” such as the famous Oculus Quest 2 or the Pico, SONY devices that work together with the Playstation console or Valve index.
The answer is that mixed media are using more advanced technology. That has allowed conventional augmented reality to have a greater level of “depth” or immersion in experiences. And how does this happen? Well, through two systems:
– The answer is that mixed media are using more advanced technology. That has allowed conventional augmented reality to have a greater level of “depth” or immersion in experiences. And how does this happen? Well, through two systems:
– The other system is occlusion. It is based on a very precise “detection” of the environment. It allows you to place a digital element, for example, a 3D cup behind a real bottle. The natural perspective of real objects will also be applied to our digital cup. In this way the real bottle (which is in front) hides the part of the cup that we should not see, giving it the realism and depth typical of physical elements. Hence the word mixed, as in this type of experience the digital elements are “mixed” perfectly with the real environment, giving the depth and immersion to our experience.
The other system is occlusion. It is based on a very precise “detection” of the environment. It allows you to place a digital element, for example, a 3D cup behind a real bottle. The natural perspective of real objects will also be applied to our digital cup. In this way the real bottle (which is in front) hides the part of the cup that we should not see, giving it the realism and depth typical of physical elements. Hence the word mixed, as in this type of experience the digital elements are “mixed” perfectly with the real environment, giving the depth and immersion to our experience.
And at the end, how is augmented or mixed reality integrated?
Augmented or mixed reality is integrated in the 3rd party applications. The most common are social networks apps. The pioneers in this field are the Americans with Snapchat, followed by their main competitor Instagram, Wechat (the Chinese Whatsapp) and others like Tik Tok. Those are examples of filters which allow us to put ears of a puppy, as well as make friends or play with a digital ball.
But, what else can be done with integrated realities? What are their secrets? Where is the trend? In the following post: More than the filters.