This separate blog will be dedicated to the research of the 3 different types of immersive technology, being Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, and Mixed/Extended Reality, in order to obtain a more in-depth understanding into how each of these immersive pieces of technology can have an impact, their applications on how they can be used, as well as the many challenges and limitations that can come with these pieces of technology.
Virtual Reality
Virtual reality is essentially where the user is able to explore and to an extent, interact within a computer generated 3D (3-Dimensional) environment.
Virtual reality is often achieved by the use of either a dedicated headset such as an Oculus for example, or through the use of ones phone like a Samsung (provided it is one of the modern models, due to how resource demanding virtual reality can be).
Virtual reality can allow people to have unique and exciting experiences all within the comfort of their own home, by the user of either a dedicated headset, or through their own phone with some set up.
Virtual reality has a wide range of uses that make it extremely applicable in most to all uses, from interactive experiences, to educating students, to even provide special training within a virtual environment. For examples, according to an article on Forbes in April of 2021, they state as quote:
“Employee onboarding can set the tone for a worker’s experience within the company moving forward. VR is becoming a way to make the onboarding process more fun, improving employees’ outlooks on their job and the organization they work for”
This shows that work places and hobs across the world, are looking into using VR in order to train new employees’ in an engaging experience that is looking to ensure increased productivity throughout their time at the workplace. It can also be used to show and assist employee’s in what to do in the event of a dangerous/life threatening scenario, which the aforementioned article also briefly talks about, stating as quote:
“Simulations can train new oil rig workers on what to do if a gas leak were ever to occur, an extremely volatile situation that requires quick thinking, and in-depth knowledge of advanced safety tools. The VR situation lets works learn from their mistakes, a much better outcome than the result of their inability to cope with the event in real life.”
Whilst this does allow for these flexible experiences with the use of VR, it does have a number of critical limiting factors that make it not the most accessible form of experience.
One of the most common factors that makes it not so accessible, is the immense cost of acquiring a VR headset, especially within the likes of developing countries, or to those who do not have access to the funds to purchase one. Additionally, headsets may be uncomfortable for some users, as well as be potentially unsafe, since usage of a VR headset can end up leading to eye strain and motion sickness amongst other things, this I would know from a personal standpoint as even whilst using one within a fixed sitting position, within a few minutes I began to feel unsteady and felt disorientated.
Privacy and addition also play a problematic role, not only in terms of potential behaviour problems users can face (ie, being bullied for what avatar they use online), to their personal data being collected and stored without their consent.
As an article on VRgearz put it best, they state as quote:
“the potential for virtual harassment, and the need to establish guidelines for appropriate behavior in virtual spaces are all issues that warrant further discussion and regulation.”
Augmented Reality
Augmented reality is another form of virtual reality, though instead of being put through the experience of an entirely new world, users are treated to an “augmented” version of their own world, but with images & date overlapping the display through the use of a smartphone camera.
This is actually how a lot of games, particularly first person shooters, add in UI features to display various points of information to players in game.
Augmented reality may not be able to provide as much of an experience as full on virtual reality, it allows for more direct interactions with what is generated to the user, capable of expanding features of certain devices. It also does not replace the natural environment that the user see’s, which brings the perception of the digital world, closer to the real world.
Augmented reality also has benefits in terms of businesses, not only since it allows retailers to make what is essentially a digital dressing room, but it also allows customers who may have difficulty getting physically into actual stores, and thus allows them to browse and try on clothes within the comfort of their own home.
However, whilst Augmented reality is more affordable than a VR headset, it is still rather costly, requiring a device with fairly high specs in order to properly take advantage of, so those who only have access to low spec devices (either because they do not have the funds to obtain a high spec device, or they have date on those devices that they are unable to transfer and do not wish to part with their devices).
However, by far the most hazardous disadvantage that comes with Augmented reality, would be in how it a lot of way, it could blur the lines between the digital and real world, which may end up putting users in danger. This is especially apparent with Pokemon go, which caused many controversies and even deaths due to the game causing users to throw caution to the wind, and not heed any warnings that could end up proving fatal to their health.
This would make teaching users critical in the differences between the augmented reality and the real world, as well as making sure that users do not end up being too reliant on their augmented reality product.
Mixed/Extended Reality
Mixed/Extended reality in a lot of ways, is similar to Augmented reality, in having the real and digital world interact with each other.
Because of similarities, a lot of the same advantages and disadvantages that Augmented reality has, also applies to mixed reality, though with a few noticeable changes.
One of the more notable advantages specific to mixed reality, is that it offers improved collaboration and communication between multiple users, which can allow for work to be done on multiple projects without anyone within the group without having to meet up at some physical location at all. This would be incredible convenient for global projects where it is being worked on from multiple people across the world, or back during 2020 when the pandemic caused everyone to stay in doors.
However, Mixed realities are technically limited, since the technology is still relatively new, which also makes its practical uses limited as well, so not many people have access to it.
Like VR and AR, it does also have privacy concerns, but also safety concerns since users could end up at risk of falls, or something else that could seriously harm or injure them.
References
Virtual Reality Society (n.d.) What is Virtual Reality? Available Online: What is Virtual Reality? – Virtual Reality Society (vrs.org.uk) [Accessed 12/10/2023]
Lorne Fade (2021) What is Virtual Reality, and how can it be used in the workplace? Available Online: What Is Virtual Reality, And How Can It Be Used In The Workplace? (forbes.com) [Accessed 20/10/2023]
Morten Jensen (2023) Exploring the Pros and Cons of Virtual Reality: A Comprehensive Guide Available Online: Exploring the Pros and Cons of Virtual Reality: A Comprehensive Guide | VRGearz [accessed 04/11/2023]
William L Hosch (2023) Augmented reality Available Online: Augmented reality | Definition, Examples, & Facts | Britannica [accessed 05/11/2023]
Alex Ivankov (2019) Advantages and disadvantages of augmented reality Available Online: Advantages and Disadvantages of Augmented Reality – Profolus [accessed 07/11/2023]
13 people (2023) What is Mixed Reality? Available Online: What is mixed reality? – Mixed Reality | Microsoft Learn [accessed 09/11/2023]
Alex Ivankov (2023) Advantages and disadvantages of mixed reality Available Online: Advantages and Disadvantages of Mixed Reality – Profolus [accessed 10/11/2023]
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