How Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality and Mixed Reality are different from each other

AR stands for Augmented Reality, while VR stands for Virtual Reality. Both AR and VR are immersive technologies that alter our perception and interaction with the real and virtual worlds.

Augmented Reality (AR): AR overlays virtual information, such as images, videos, or 3D objects, onto the real world. It enhances our perception of reality by adding virtual elements to the physical environment. AR is typically experienced through devices like smartphones, tablets, smart glasses, or headsets. Examples of AR include Pokémon Go, where virtual creatures appear in real-world locations, or using AR apps to visualize furniture in your home before purchasing.

Virtual Reality (VR): VR creates a simulated, computer-generated environment that immerses users in a virtual world. It typically involves wearing a VR headset or using a VR device that provides a 360-degree view and tracks the user's movements. VR can transport users to realistic or fantastical environments, allowing them to interact with and explore the virtual world. VR applications range from gaming and entertainment to simulations, training, and virtual tours.

While both AR and VR provide immersive experiences, the key difference lies in their level of immersion:

AR enhances the real world by overlaying virtual elements onto it. Users can still see and interact with their physical surroundings while additional digital information is superimposed.

VR, on the other hand, completely immerses users in a virtual environment. The real world is blocked out, and users can interact and navigate within the simulated environment, often with the help of handheld controllers or motion-tracking devices.

Both AR and VR have unique applications and potential across various industries, such as gaming, education, healthcare, architecture, design, retail, and more. They offer new ways to experience and interact with digital content, creating opportunities for enhanced entertainment, learning, training, and visualization experiences. 

Mixed Reality (MR) is an immersive technology that combines elements of both Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR). It blends virtual content with the real world, allowing users to interact with both physical and digital objects simultaneously.

In Mixed Reality, virtual objects are not just overlaid onto the real world like in AR, but they also interact with the real environment and respond to it in real-time. Users can see and interact with virtual objects that appear to exist in the same space as their physical surroundings.

Mixed Reality is typically experienced through specialized headsets or smart glasses that track the user's position and movement. These devices use cameras and sensors to map and understand the physical environment, allowing virtual content to be seamlessly integrated into the user's view.

The key aspect of Mixed Reality is the ability to anchor virtual objects to real-world locations, enabling users to walk around and interact with them from different angles. This creates a sense of presence and immersion, as if the virtual objects are truly part of the user's physical surroundings.

Mixed Reality has a wide range of applications. It can be used for interactive gaming experiences, where users can see and interact with virtual characters or objects in their own living room. It also has potential in fields such as design, architecture, education, and remote collaboration, where users can visualize and manipulate virtual objects in a real-world context.

By merging the virtual and real worlds, Mixed Reality offers unique and innovative ways to engage with digital content and interact with the environment around us. It provides opportunities for enhanced storytelling, experiential learning, spatial computing, and collaborative experiences that bridge the gap between the physical and digital realms.