Mixed reality as the name suggests is a mix of some technologies. Yes, mixed reality is a combination of augmented and virtual reality.
What is Mixed Reality?
Mixed Reality (MR) merges physical and virtual entities to create new simulated environments and visuals in which physical and digital objects interact in real-time. It’s a combination of augmented reality and virtual reality. The advancements in computer vision, graphical processing, display technologies, input systems, and cloud computing are the foundations for this reality technology.
Mixed Reality allows you to interact with a virtual environment by immersing yourself in a simulated world around you. MR combines real and virtual entities to create new environments in which physical and digital elements interact in real-time.
Mixed reality is also known as hybrid reality or extended reality (XR). Following the user’s stare, a headset maps the user’s physical environments, and the software then uses deep learning algorithms to align digital content with specific areas of the map. Through MR programming, digital objects can interact with physical objects, and people can interact with digital objects as if they were physical.
It frees us from screen-bound experiences by allowing user to interact with data instinctively in our living spaces and with our friends. Hundreds of millions of online explorers around the world have experienced mixed reality via their handheld devices. On social media today, mobile AR provides the most popular mixed reality solutions. People may be unaware that the AR filters they use on Instagram are creating mixed reality experiences. With stunning holographic representations of people, high-fidelity holographic 3D models, and the real world around them, Windows Mixed Reality takes all of these user experiences to the next level.
Why do we need mixed reality?
Other reality technologies, such as augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), are rendered or generated environments that showcase objects or simulate an artificial environment. MR has evolved as an upgrade to these existing technologies because it is based on real-time objects, synchronization, and interactivity.
Where is mixed reality applied?
- Mixed reality is implemented in a variety of applications including virtual furniture fitting, virtual beauty applications, and Instagram or Snapchat filters.
- Since it focuses on the core of the natural world and promotes a digital environment with eye-catching graphics, mixed reality has evolved into the perfect tool for marketing, information sharing, and entertainment.
- One of the most important factors that help students understand a topic is a practical demonstration of that topic. The use of mixed reality in education increases learning engagement and interaction through 3D projections and simulations.
- In terms of training, MR has demonstrated a 40% improvement in its process by visualizing it.
- In medicine, MR enables medical professionals and practitioners to view and share patient records and data in a more interactive manner, laying the groundwork for image-guided surgery.
- By using translation applications that can translate language in real-time, MR eliminates the most flaws of remote workspace or remote education. Mixed-reality meetings are truly impressive and interactive thanks to video conferencing and Skype calls.
- People can generate holograms to show scenes, objects, or avatars using mixed reality, thereby eliminating a physical need.
Some stats about mixed reality: Forecasts indicate that by 2024%, around 67% of the smart glasses and smart wearable apps for MR technology will be designed for gaming or multimedia. Another 40% of apps will be for social media. Source: Juniper Research. 39% of tech leaders believe that augmented reality and MR will be as ubiquitous as mobile by the time we reach 2025. The growing adoption of MR will make it a more mainstream technology in the years to come. Source: Perkins Coie.
Future of mixed reality
- The future of mixed reality (MR) is expected to be an increasingly important and integrated part of various industries, such as entertainment, education, healthcare, and retail.
- In entertainment, MR will be used to create immersive gaming and movie experiences. Hence in this field, mixed reality is expected to lead as compared to technologies.
- In education, MR will be used to create interactive and engaging learning environments.
- In healthcare, MR will be used to assist in surgical planning and training.
- In retail, MR will be used to create virtual store environments and enhance the online shopping experience.
- Additionally, MR will be used in a variety of other industries such as architecture, engineering, and design.
Augmented reality vs mixed reality
Augmented reality refers to experiences that overlay graphics, and holograms in the physical world. Virtual reality refers to experiences that obscure your view in order to present a fully immersive digital experience. Mixed reality refers to experiences that can transition between augmented and virtual realities.
When a user is in virtual reality, the physical obstacles in their immediate surroundings, such as walls and furniture, are represented digitally within the experience so that the user does not collide with them.
Conclusion
Mixed reality is a cutting-edge technology that combines the real and virtual worlds and opens up a wide range of possibilities for a variety of businesses and applications. It has the potential to change the way we work and communicate. Technology will have a great impact on our lives as it develops and become more widely available.
