Immersive technologies are rapidly blurring the lines between the digital and physical worlds. The use of Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR) and Mixed Reality (MR) encompasses industries like retail, sports, manufacturing, and especially, real estate. From how agents sell properties to how buyers tour homes virtually, these technologies are redefining property dealings. But here’s the thing – while often used interchangeably, AR, VR, and MR differ strikingly from one another.
Simply put, AR adds digital elements to the real world (remember Pokemon Go!), whereas VR replaces the real world with a completely fictional one. MR goes a step ahead to allow both – the digital and the physical – to interact with each other. But that’s just the surface of the AR vs VR vs MR debate. This blog delves deep into the comparison, exploring key parameters and popular examples. Whether you’re a consumer, business, or service provider, this VR vs AR vs MR guide will help you choose the right technology to enhance engagement and immersion for your purposes.
What is Augmented Reality?
The word augment means to improve. Augmented reality does that by superposing digital elements (images, 3D models, data) onto a physical space in real time. AR Technology allows users to bring a digital object to life by pointing a device’s camera to an empty physical space. Think of Instagram/Snapchat filters or the handy Google Maps Live View. Although users can interact with and manipulate digital objects, digital and physical interaction remains limited.
AR technology can dramatically enhance user experience by leaps and bounds. For instance, PropVR’s AR solutions use real-time interactions, accurate spatial understanding and enhanced personalisation, allowing users to explore a property without visiting it.
What is Virtual Reality?
Virtual Reality completely blocks the real world to provide a 360-degree immersion into the digital world. VR relies on Head-Mounted Displays (HMDs) and other specialised equipment, such as motion controllers and spatial tracking sensors, to transport users into computer-generated environments. Over time, it has become a game-changer, with tech giants like Apple, Meta, and Amazon actively investing in the market. In real estate, for example, VR enhances property visualisation, allowing potential buyers to explore homes remotely and interact with virtual spaces.
What is Mixed Reality?
Mixed Reality is the most recent of immersive technologies. Unlike AR technology, the difference between AR and MR is that MR allows users to interact with digital objects. Compared to VR, it blends virtual elements with the real world instead of creating a fully digital environment. Innovations like Magic Leap 2 and Microsoft’s HoloLens have fueled rapid growth in the MR industry. Using MR in real estate can bring 3D property models to life, allowing users to walk through them virtually and customise interiors in real-time.
Key Differences Between VR, AR and MR
In the AR vs MR vs VR discussion, the following bases make the key differences:
| Basis | AR | VR | MR |
| Purpose | Overlaying digital elements onto physical spaces. | Create fully immersive digital worlds that replace reality. | Blend real and digital elements to foster real-time interaction. |
| User Interaction | Limited interaction with digital objects. | 360-degree access allows users to engage and interact with virtual elements. | Users can use real elements, like their hands and physical objects, to interact with digital elements. |
| Immersion | Low immersion due to complete awareness of physical surroundings. | High immersion as the devices block out the real world. | It is very high as digital and real objects seamlessly interact. |
| Key Technologies | Cameras, sensors, AR SDKs, computer vision. | Motion tracking, 3D modelling, VR engines. | AI, spatial mapping, LiDAR, real-time rendering, holographic displays. |
| Hardware | Smartphones, tablets, AR Glasses, etc. | VR Headsets, motion controllers, haptic gloves, eye-tracking devices, etc | Advanced Headsets with spatial mapping and hand tracking. |
| Popular Devices | Google ARCore, Niantic Lightship, Vuzix Blade. | Meta Quest 3, HTC Vive Pro 2, PlayStation VR2. | Microsoft HoloLens 2, Magic Leap 2, Varjo XR-4. |
AR vs VR vs MR: Applications in Different Industries
AR, VR, and MR are revolutionising multiple industries, each excelling in different domains. Due to its immersive character, VR is extensively used in the gaming industry. Whether shooting off aliens in Half-Life: Alyx or dodging bullets in Superhot VT, VR technology truly allows gamers to step inside these fictional worlds. It is also used in healthcare for surgical training, education for visual learning, and aerospace for pilot training.
AR and MR technologies, on the other hand, are reshaping industrial applications. For instance, AR can improve retail experiences by allowing customers to virtually try on eyeglasses or place a piece of furniture in their rooms when buying online. The manufacturing industry benefits from AR-driven simulations, IoT integration, and AI-powered quality checks. Meanwhile, the defence industry leverages these technologies for prototyping, cargo management, and other purposes.
How Does AR, VR and MR Function?
The mixed reality vs augmented reality vs virtual reality debate circles heavily around hardware-software utilisation. Here is how the three differ:
- Augmented Reality: AR Technology uses cloud-connecting ecosystems and apps to impose interactive 3D models of objects over the physical environment. Devices like smartphones or AR wearables use cameras, GPS, accelerometers, and other sensors to analyse surroundings and position virtual assets.
- Virtual Reality: VR creates a digital world using computer-generated graphics, audio-visual inputs, and haptic feedback. The technology employs HMDs, motion tracking systems, handheld controllers and motion-sensing gloves to facilitate interaction with this world. Further, advanced VR usage also encompasses AI algorithms for creating hyper-realistic simulations.
- Mixed Reality: Advanced computer vision, graphic processing, cloud computing, input mechanisms, and display technologies are at the core of MR. The hardware typically includes HMDs. After analysing the inputs from the camera, the MR software uses LiDAR, IR, GPS, accelerometers, gyroscopes and other sensors to bring the two worlds together.
Benefits of Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality and Mixed Reality
Immersive technologies transform the way we learn, work and play. Some of their highlighting advantages include:
- Enhanced Productivity: These technologies improve product design, worker assistance, and ideation processes, allowing more work to be done in significantly shorter periods.
- Better Training & Learning: From pilots training in virtual cockpits to doctors practising in risk-free setups, immersive technologies give a hands-on learning setup for professionals.
- Better Engagement: Whether exploring new properties, buying clothes or learning online, these technologies make digital interactions more exciting.
Challenges of VR, AR and MR Technologies
Despite rapid development, the evolution of immersive technologies faces significant challenges. Some common concerns include:
- High Development Costs – Building and scaling these technologies requires hardware, software, and technical expertise.
- Privacy and Security: Immersive technologies collect vast amounts of personal and environmental data, posing concerns about data privacy, protection, and misuse.
- Usage Barriers: AR, VR and MR gears often require high-end setups (like strong internet connectivity & high-resolution graphics). Further, the blurring lines between the real and the virtual demand constant monitoring to prevent misuse.
The Future of VR, AR and MR
The future of AR, VR, and MR lies in their evolution into Extended Reality (XR). From Ivan Sutherland’s “Sword of Damocles” VR headset to Apple’s Vision Pro, immersive technology has come a long way. Extended Reality provides a unified platform, solving the need to use the three technologies separately. Besides, the rise of XR implies the rise of more interactive & versatile immersive tech. Further, developments in AI, 5G, WebAR, and wearable devices will make way for a more accessible and seamless VR, AR, and MR experience in the future.
Summing Up
The simple way to look at the VR vs AR vs MR debate is this – AR enhances reality, VR replaces it, and MR merges the two. Despite multiple differences, the degree of immersion remains the core distinction between the three technologies. AR provides the least immersive experience, while VR and MR offer deeply absorbing interaction. Knowing the differences between the three technologies can help leverage the right type of technology for the right purpose. With the global AR/VR/MR market projected to skyrocket from USD 42.4 billion in 2023 to USD 521.28 billion by 2031—and India’s market growing at a CAGR of 38.3%—Is this just the beginning?
Frequently Asked Questions
How are VR, AR and MR applied in different industries?
VR is heavily used in the gaming industry to bring fictional worlds to life. Meanwhile, AR and MR are used in retail, manufacturing and aerospace industries. AR enables interactive user experiences and real-time data overlays, while MR facilitates hands-on training and design visualisation.
What does the future hold for these technologies?
Advancements in AI, 5G, and smart wearables are expected to drive the growth of immersive technologies. Further, the global AR, VR, and MR market is projected to reach from USD 42.4 billion in 2023 to USD 521.28 billion by 2031, with a CAGR of around 39.1%.