With the popularity of mobile games like Pokemon Go and devices like the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive, augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) have become mainstream. But what is mixed reality (MR) and how does it differ from other visual display technologies? The best way to describe it is as a mix of augmented reality and virtual reality technologies.
AR, VR and MR are similar in many ways, but they each have their own qualities and applications.
MR headsets free up the wearer’s hands to perform physical tasks. And because virtual items appear in the real world, the technology is well-suited for work environments. For example, repair animations can be superimposed over real machines, showing the user how to connect parts.
Additionally, MR works well for entertainment purposes. Games can use nearby objects, such as tables and other surfaces, to create a more realistic game than is possible with AR. A great example of this is firing lasers at aliens that come through walls or searching for virtual animals hiding under desks.
