1. A Brief History of AR and VR
The idea of virtual reality can be traced back to the early 19th century. It was during this time that the physicist Charles Wheatstone invented the stereoscope, a device that creates a 3D illusion from 2D images. In the 1960s, Ivan Sutherland, a computer scientist, created the first head-mounted virtual reality display, a bulky device that displayed simple wireframe graphics. In the 1980s and 1990s, advances in computer graphics and hardware led to the creation of more complex virtual reality systems. Today, virtual reality technology continues to evolve rapidly and is used in a variety of industries, including gaming, healthcare, education, and military training.
Virtual reality (VR) is a computer-generated simulation of a three-dimensional environment that can be interacted with through specialized hardware, such as a VR headset or a haptic suit. By immersing the user in a digital world that simulates the physical environment, VR can provide a very realistic and immersive experience that can be used for entertainment, education, training, and more.
Augmented reality (AR) is a technology that superimposes virtual objects or information onto the real world, enhancing the user’s perception and interaction with their surroundings. AR systems use various sensors, such as cameras, accelerometers, and GPS to detect the user’s location and movement and then overlay computer-generated graphics, sound, or haptic feedback onto the real world. Unlike VR, which creates a completely immersive digital environment, AR adds digital elements to the real world and allows users to interact with both the real and virtual environments at the same time. AR is also used in various fields, including entertainment, education, healthcare, marketing, and even industrial design.
Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are two technologies that change the environment around the user but differ in their purpose: to enhance or create new user experiences. The main differences between AR and VR include:
- Immersion: VR creates a completely immersive experience, while AR combines virtual elements with the real world.
- Hardware: VR requires a headset to block out the real world and replace it with a virtual environment, while AR can be experienced through a smartphone or tablet with a camera.
- Interaction: In VR, users can interact with the virtual environment more naturally, using controllers or even hand gestures. In AR, interaction is more limited and may involve pointing the device at a specific location.
- Purpose: VR is often used for gaming, simulations, and training, while AR is used in areas such as education, marketing, and entertainment.
- Cost: VR hardware can be very expensive, while AR can be experienced through more affordable devices such as smartphones and tablets.
Overall, while both AR and VR offer exciting capabilities to enhance the user experience, they differ in their level of immersion, hardware requirements, interactivity, use cases, and cost.
Moreover, to optimize the strengths of each type of virtual reality (AR or VR) as well as increasingly improve the user experience, a new type of virtual reality has been born and named MR – Mixed Reality. This is a new technology that combines virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) to create a more vivid and realistic experience for users. Detailed information about the development trends of other types of virtual reality will be discussed in detail in the following articles.
2. Applications of AR and VR in Some Products
In recent years, augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technology have become two new trends in the field of communication. AR and VR have brought users impressive experiences, from interacting with products and services to participating in online events.
AR and VR are being widely used in the communication campaigns of large companies, helping to increase customer appeal. Many companies have used AR and VR to create great experiences for their customers. For example, in the retail sector, stores use AR to allow customers to “try” products before buying. In the tourism sector, VR is used to create unique virtual experiences, helping customers to visit tourist destinations before they get there.
The development of hardware with increasingly fast processing speeds has created a strong driving force for the development of VR and AR. In the past few years, major technology corporations around the world have continuously introduced their own virtual reality products. Some notable names include:
- Google – Google Glass (2013)
- Microsoft: Hololens, Using Hololens
- Metaverse (Facebook): Oculus Rift S (2019)
The product includes 2 controllers and 1 VR headset. ORS is capable of performing many tasks, from entertainment to work. With this product, users will have completely different experiences and change their longtime views on the cyber world.
With their superior ability to support vision, VR and AR have been widely applied in engineering,
and designing.
However, the use of AR and VR also poses some challenges. Companies need to invest a large amount of money to develop AR and VR applications. Furthermore, to ensure that their AR and VR experiences are effective and meet the needs of users, companies need to have specialized knowledge in this field.
With the development of technology, AR and VR are gradually becoming an indispensable part of the communication field. Companies need to quickly adapt to this trend in order to increase customer engagement and compete in an increasingly competitive market.
University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City – School of Media Design
