Augmented Reality vs Virtual Reality: A Short Comparison

JetRuby Agency
JetRuby Agency
Published in
3 min readAug 17, 2017

--

If you’ve read our previous articles, then you know what Virtual Reality is. But there is also a very similar technology that’s been quite hyped up recently. It’s called Augmented Reality. Let’s break it down!

Augmented Reality (AR) is a “technology that layers computer-generated enhancements atop of existing reality in order to make it more meaningful through the ability to interact with it”. In other words, AR technology augments the real world with virtual objects and information. Enough of the words, let’s see AR in action:

What you see in this video is one of the most anticipated iOS 11 features based on Apple’s ARKit, a framework that allows for next-level augmented reality experience. It allows you to create magic using only an iPhone. Even though you’ve probably seen something like this in a Sci-Fi movie , it’s still fascinating.

Speaking of AR implementations, there is no way not to mention Pokémon Go, a mobile game that took over the whole Internet just in a few weeks after its release. Despite much criticism, the phenomenon of Pokémon Go has proved one thing: people love Augmented Reality. Surely, the game’s success was a mixture of several factors, but the main reason why the game has been so popular is that it doesn’t require any extra gear to play. You just grab your phone, download the app, and that’s it! You’re ready to catch pokemons.

How’s AR different from VR anyway?

Hearing the terms “VR” or “AR”, people usually don’t see much difference between them. However, both Augmented and Virtual Reality have their similarities and differences. But first, let’s figure out what types of AR there are.

  • Marker-based. In the applications that use this kind of Augmented Reality, all virtual objects come preloaded. Many current applications are based on the marker-based technology, as it’s much simpler to detect and recognize images that have been hard-coded in a device in advance.
  • Markerless Augmented Reality. Contrariwise, an application based on a markerless AR can recognize any objects. This kind of AR is more difficult in the implementation but it allows you to use any part of the physical world as the base or target for placing superimposed virtual objects.

Similarities:

  • Technology. At the heart of VR and AR are actually very similar technologies. They also have the same purpose: to serve users with an enhanced or enriched experience.
  • Entertainment. Despite the fact that many people considered these technologies as the figment of a science fiction imagination, these technologies came to life. Both VR and AR have many applications, however, they are usually sought for entertainment purposes.
  • Medicine and Science. Both of the technologies have great potential in the healthcare industry. VR and AR can absolutely change the medicine field by making things like remote surgery possible.

Differences:

  • Purpose. The main purpose of Virtual Reality is to create a virtual world that is completely computer generated and driven. On the other hand, Augmented Reality adds virtual components as a new level of interactions with a real world.
  • Delivery method. Augmented Reality could be used in nearly any digital device: laptop, tablet, smartphone and so on. The most important criteria is that this device should have a camera. However, Virtual Reality is quite another thing. In order to enter into the world of Virtual Reality you’ll need a range of systems designed for this purpose.

Summary

VR and AR are not always used independently. On the contrary, they have to be used together in order to create an even more immersive reality. Both AR and VR open doors to a fascinating world where any person can become do anything they wants. Alone or blended together, these technologies are undoubtedly one of the most innovative inventions of humanity.

--

--

JetRuby is a Digital Agency that doesn’t stop moving. We expound on subjects as varied as developing a mobile app and through to disruptive technologies.