Differences between AR and VR

VR: Virtual Reality 

In a virtual reality experience, users are fully immersed in a simulated digital surrounding via VR headsets.

The technology has evolved massively over the past few years and computer-generated reality has become extremely realistic, thanks to interactive features such as haptic feedback (feedback you feel) along with lifelike graphics and surround sound.

Virtual reality can simulate a real environment such as a moonwalk, ocean exploration or a visit to another country or it can create a fictional world with 3D objects and other virtual elements.

Once a user puts on a VR headset or head-mounted display, their brain is fooled into believing they’ve stepped into a new world where they can move and interact with virtual objects on the screen.

AR: Augmented Reality

Whereas virtual reality is complete immersion in a digital environment, in an augmented reality virtual information is overlaid on the real world.

The real world is enhanced (augmented) by digital details such as animation, text and images in real-time and users aren’t isolated from the real world and what’s going on in front of them.

Many people got a taste for the potential of augmented reality when the mobile game Pokémon GO rose in popularity and had people chasing down digital animals and doing battle in parks and public places.

The applications for augmented reality go beyond gaming and into industries such as aviation, automotive, healthcare and more.