What is the difference between XR and VR?
The world of
Throughout recent years these technologies have continued to captivate our digital world. However, the spotlight has gradually shifted toward XR and VR. Therefore, understanding the key distinctions between them is critical.
Extreme reality (XR)
Extended reality is an
XR combines various immersive technologies, immersing users in a virtual world while also having the option to augment their surroundings.
Features
XR provides context-aware information to the users.
It integrates virtual elements into the real world.
XR offers immersive and realistic training environments.
It advances rapidly, fusing various immersive technologies for innovation and development.
Virtual reality (VR)
Virtual reality technology isolates users from real-world stimuli and immerses them in a virtual world through computer-generated simulations.
VR allows users to interact with virtual scenarios through head-mounted displays and gesture-detecting controllers. Additionally, these devices seal off any
Features
It creates an immersive simulation and transports users to real or fictional places.
VR sets cover the user's eyes and block the real-world surroundings.
It is widely used for training and simulations of various real-world scenarios, for example, surgeries.
It also incorporates spatial audio techniques to enhance the immersive experience.
Now let's discuss some key distinctions between XR and VR to provide an in-depth comparison.
XR vs. VR
Characteristic | XR | VR |
Definition | It is broad category encompassing various immersive technologies. | It is a technology that fully immerses users into a virtual world. |
Immersion Level | It augments reality into virtual worlds. | It provides a complete escape from reality. |
Cost | The cost depends on the hardware. | It is usually less than XR. |
Hardware | There are multiple devices—AR glasses, VR or MR headsets. | There is a VR headset with speakers and gesture controllers. |
External Stimuli | It allows external stimuli. | It seals off all external stimuli. |
Interaction | It allows interaction with virtual objects augmented in the real world. | It allows limited interaction with the virtual world, and none with the real world. |
Versatility | It is highly versatile and offers a range of experiences. | It is not versatile. |
Mobility and Portability | It can be enjoyed through a smartphone or AR glasses. | It typically require hefty setups with limited mobility. |
Depth Perception | It allows better depth perception due to MR. | The depth perception is hindered due to the lack of real-world information. |
Applications | It has several uses: training, education, gaming, retail, etc. | It is used for gaming, simulations, and entertainment. |
Conclusion
In conclusion, XR and VR are two distinct yet interconnected branches of immersive technology. XR provides versatility, while VR offers an entirely immersive experience.
However, whether XR or VR is better varies by specific use cases and the user's preference. Both of these technologies provide different interactive experiences to the user and excel in different applications. Thus, setting up significant differences between them both.