VR and AR – the Difference between Two Reality Bending Technologies

image source

Virtual reality games are one of the common game genres today. We put the device on our head, and then we can enter the game world. However, VR also has a cousin that not many people know about. Called AR (Augmented Reality). The two sound similar, but are actually different. Here, we will learn more about the differences between VR and AR.

What is Virtual Reality?

Virtual reality is a technology that transforms reality into or with a virtual world. Therefore, when you use games or other virtual reality applications, you need to wear a device that covers your eyes. You need to disconnect your connection with the real world/reality and take you to the virtual world.

In the future, this technology will be more developed. Currently, you still need to wear headphones or other accessories to enjoy the virtual world. In the future, we believe that technology can bring our common sense into cyberspace. You will be able to see, hear, smell, feel and touch the virtual world.

What is Augmented Reality?

Augmented reality is a technology that adds something to reality. As you can see from the name, it means that this technology adds to the reality around you. By using an AR device, you can see the environment around you with the addition of digital objects. Best of all, you can interact with the object like a real object in the real world.

For that reason, devices for augmented reality are different from VR devices. VR device will protect you completely. On the other hand, AR devices will let you see the real world all the time. One AR device that works well is HoloLens by Microsoft. With this device, you can play games using your living room as a gaming platform. Of course, the application of AR technology is not only for games but also in other fields.

Difference between AR and VR

The main difference between AR and VR lies in the reality part. VR uses digital reality, while AR uses the real world and adds digital objects to it. Therefore, everything in VR is a digital object. On the other hand, AR mostly uses the real world environment and adds a small portion of digital objects.

The resources required to operate the two systems are also different. VR uses less resources because all objects are converted into digital form or data. Therefore, it only needs sufficient resources to display it on VR devices. On the other hand, AR requires more resources as it continuously scans the environment to create realistic placement and reaction of digital objects.

Conclusion

In short, the difference between VR and AR is not that big. They just use a different environment. However, we can say that both technologies will have an important role in the future. AR and VR present a new platform where we can develop creativity to create something new for our lifestyle.