Extended Reality - How Is It Changing The Future?

By Author: Jessica Hill
Total Articles: 22
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Over the last couple of years, extended reality or XR has emerged from a novel concept into a crucial technology that shapes the future of our workplaces and personal lives. Extended reality has several applications in the corporate workplace, our personal lives, higher education, and even the media industry. Extended Reality encompasses different types of innovations in technology.

What is Extended Reality?

Extended Reality is a technology that covers mixed reality, augmented reality, and anything new to be created. It refers to machine-human interactions and virtual-real environments generated by computer technology. Extended Reality has now become the new frontier of human interaction and technology.

Pillars of Extended Reality

The technology of extended reality falls into 3 categories - Mixed Reality, Augmented Reality, and Virtual Reality.

Augmented reality: Layers graphics over physical spaces. Augmented reality uses the real world as a background to create information or simulation.
Virtual reality: It is an artificial world created using computer technology to simulate the environment ...
... around us.
Mixed Reality: This technology combines practical elements and computer objects to make a hybrid experience. In this the user can switch between fake and real.
Applications of Virtual Reality

The concept of virtual reality is created using different approaches- networked spaces or an immersive environment. Networked interfaces send information through a headset while you are still in the real world. Immersive interfaces create a 3D world inside your headset with the use of programs.

The most widely used application of VR is gaming. Games containing VR technology help gamers interact digitally with their favorite characters. They can take different roles and engage in adventurous activities like never before.

Application of Augmented Reality

Augmented Reality is a type of technology that augments the natural vision to present objects, environment, and information. Augmented reality is a wonderful complement to virtual reality and when integrated together becomes powerful exponentially.

The widely used application of augmented reality is Pokémon Go. Here players can visualize digital creatures which are superimposed onto real-world images. This can be easily done by simply pointing out their smartphones at different locations.

Augmented reality is also used in the workspace where employees use programs like Microsoft Hololens- an AR program that helps increase productivity and streamline tasks.

Applications of Mixed Reality

Mixed reality can be created when the real world interacts with the virtual content. Popular games like HoloGrid mix the real-world objects in their game. Another popular application is the special goggles which can take you to historical places in 3D.

Mixed reality was also used by NASA for their Planetary Skin Project. Scientists with the help of Mixed Reality could access NASA data about other planets. This was achieved by streaming mixed-reality experiences on the internet.

Applications of Extended Reality

Extended Reality technology is a developing field and offers exciting uses for businesses. Extended reality has some applications in the following sectors

Provides training tools that help employees get hands-on experience in the virtual world.
Helps users get improved access to information.
Foundation for mixed reality business meetings, where participants can get an opportunity to meet in a virtual environment.
Conclusion

Extended Reality is likely to become a mainstream technology that will have a huge impact on our lives. Extended reality will also allow people having disabilities to experience things which they are normally unable to. Extended reality has immense potential for transforming our lives in the future.

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