The field of extended reality (XR) is rapidly evolving and promises to change the way we experience and interact with technology. XR encompasses virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR) – immersive technologies that combine digital information with the user’s environment in novel ways. Let’s take a deeper look at XR and how it is shaping our future.
The Rise of XR
The concept of virtual worlds and augmented perceptions have long fascinated scientists and consumers alike. However, it is only in recent years that hardware advancements have allowed XR to emerge from science fiction into mainstream adoption. Powerful yet affordable processors, advanced sensors and high resolution displays now enable compelling immersive experiences. Brands and developers have taken notice, actively experimenting with XR applications across industries like gaming, education, marketing and more. Increased investment is pouring in as the market potential of XR becomes clear. Global XR revenue is projected to grow from $6.1 billion in 2016 to over $80 billion by 2025 according to Digi-Capital. As hardware and content mature, XR looks set to profoundly impact how we work, learn and play in the digital world.
VR Creates Fully Immersive Experiences
Virtual reality submerges users in computer-generated worlds through head-mounted displays. With VR headsets, wearers can visually perceive and interact with virtual scenarios, objects and people. Leading VR systems offer high-fidelity graphics, precise motion tracking and an encompassing field of view to convince the brain it is in another place or time. Applications are diverse, spanning video games, 360-degree video, architecture walkthroughs, remote support, arts and more. Advanced VR systems even sense touch through haptic feedback devices. The technology enables truly immersive training scenarios, from handling dangerous equipment to practicing complex procedures safely. VR also allows crossing borders virtually – teleporting to exotic locales or reaching outer space. As processing power increases, VR worlds will feel increasingly realistic.
AR Overlays Digital Content on the Real World
In contrast to fully surrounding VR, augmented reality enhances natural environments rather than completely replacing them. AR uses see-through displays like smart glasses or device cameras to interactively overlay digital objects and information atop the real world. Popular AR applications include visual navigation tools and games like Pokemon GO that bring virtual characters into the real world. AR also has industrial applications like assisting technicians by overlaying manuals directly into their field of view. Meanwhile, prototypes for “smart contact lenses” have emerged, hinting at futuristic AR interfaces. Many believe AR glasses will replace smartphones as the primary computing device in the next decade. As the technology evolves, AR is poised to fundamentally change how society accesses and shares information.
MR Blends Real and Virtual for New Interactions
Sitting at the intersection of VR and AR is mixed reality, which seamlessly merges physical and digital objects. While AR enhances the real world with virtual additions, MR introduces entirely artificial elements that coexist physically with the surroundings. Think holograms that appear solid and tangible despite being projected light forms. Leading MR headsets employ advanced technologies like eye tracking, face tracking and hand tracking to replicate human mannerisms in the virtual realm. The technology opens new models for human-computer interaction – users can reach out and directly manipulate holograms through virtual touch. MR shows promise for areas as diverse as industrial design, telepresence and in-home entertainment. As interfaces grow more natural, MR will transform how people work and socialize together across distances.
XR Advances Communication and Collaboration
Thanks to their ability to bridge real and virtual experiences, XR platforms hold immense potential for better communication and collaboration. Remote virtual meetings in VR circumvent physical barriers while preserving social cues like eye contact and body language. Businesses are exploring mixed reality for globally distributed teamwork – engineers can easily co-design products as if working side-by-side. Educators see value in bringing immersive field trips or rare specimens into classrooms through AR and VR. Hospitals already use XR to remotely assist surgeries. The technologies will increasingly diminish distances by enabling shared experiences regardless of physical location. As quality increases and costs drop further, XR’s social applications have the power to connect communities worldwide in unprecedented ways.
XR in Our Future
From creating new worlds to enhancing our own, extended reality is shaping the path forward for human-computer interaction. As industry heavyweights invest billions in research and development, XR innovations will progress at an ever brisker pace. Current generation headsets represent a starting point – coming years will see lighter, higher resolution devices providing expansive 360-degree tracking and spatial displays. Natural user interfaces employing thought, gaze and gesture will dissolve boundaries between technology and people. Developers continue exploring creative uses for XR across arts, media, sports and more. A new generation is growing up fully immersed in dynamic virtual and augmented experiences. While technical challenges remain, extended reality is set to drastically transform how we work, live and learn in the future. The benefits promise to uplift humanity in ways as profound as any technology before it. As XR comes to fruition, it will expand human potential and forge new connections in an increasingly digital world.