Do you know the difference between Augmented Reality and Mixed Reality?

Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, and Mixed Reality are emerging technologies that, under the name of Extended Reality or XR Technologies, are increasingly being demanded by businesses due to the significant benefits that can be achieved with their implementation.

However, sometimes the terms are intertwined and cause some confusion, especially between Augmented Reality and Mixed Reality.

Let's see how they differ:

Augmented Reality (AR)

Augmented Reality is a technology that combines elements of the real world with computer-generated virtual elements, superimposing these elements (images, videos, or any data) on the real world. This is achieved through the use of devices such as smartphones, tablets or augmented reality glasses that display this information in an augmented manner. The key feature of this technology is that it does not replace physical reality, but enriches it with digital data that enhances the user experience.

For example, using a tablet, we can point at a person and see their LinkedIn profile superimposed on the physical environment where you are.

Augmented reality has applications in fields as diverse as industry, defense, medicine, and education.

This technology allows companies to streamline processes, reduce errors, and improve operational efficiency. And in education and training, Augmented Reality enables practice in safe learning environments, accelerating skill development and reducing associated costs, creating new opportunities for growth and innovation.

Mixed Reality (MR)

Mixed Reality is a broader term that includes but goes beyond Augmented Reality. Like Augmented Reality, it combines the real world with the digital world, but the difference is that Mixed Reality integrates these elements more deeply, allowing interactions between physical and virtual objects. This is achieved through more advanced devices, such as mixed reality glasses, which allow for a more immersive experience.

Implementing mixed reality technologies in the enterprise is key to driving innovation and improving efficiency in organizations. This technology enhances remote collaboration, allowing teams to work on interactive 3D models and solve problems together, regardless of geographic location. Mixed reality also provides advanced data visualization tools that accelerate the product development cycle and improve decision-making.

 In both Augmented Reality and Mixed Reality, user interaction is key to the user experience. While augmented reality focuses on enriching the user's perception of the real environment by adding virtual components, mixed reality goes a step further by allowing users to interact with virtual elements as if they were physical elements of the environment.