What is Augmented Reality? 

You’ve probably seen those big headsets that transport users into new and exciting worlds. That’s virtual reality (VR), and it’s becoming more and more popular and accessible in both entertainment and training industries.

What you may not be familiar with is augmented reality (AR), the cousin to VR. Even if you’re aware of what AR is, you may be surprised at just how prevalent it is, and the great uses it to can have in entertainment and learning. 

What is Augmented Reality?

Imagine a spectrum where our reality (aka the real world) is on the far left, and virtual reality is on the far right. In the middle is augmented reality. 

Augmented reality blends the real world with virtual elements. One of the most popular examples of AR is Pokémon Go, which overlays virtual creatures onto your real-life surroundings using the camera on your smartphone. 

Snapchat and TikTok filters are another everyday use of augmented reality. Digital filters can both overlay and alter your face using the camera on your phone. 

Why use Augmented Reality? 

Though the most well-known uses of augmented reality are within the entertainment sector, industries such as manufacturing and healthcare can benefit hugely from AR via training and upskilling. 

Where VR is excellent for bringing the user into an entirely new world (great training for dangerous environments, such as fire safety), AR can be great for when the learner needs to see something new within their real-life environment. 

For example, workers can use AR technology to investigate and solve issues with complex machinery remotely, or even train new staff in how the technology works, saving on the cost of bringing in specialists. This also removes some of the danger in people directly handling complex and dangerous machines. 

Both AR and VR are excellent tools for training and learning, both with different pros and cons. AR applications can usually be accessed using just a smartphone, meaning it can be more accessible and cheaper than investing in a VR headset. Also, where VR is excellent for bringing the user into an entirely new world (great training for dangerous environments, such as fire safety), AR can be great for when the learner needs to see something new within their real-life environment. 

Hopefully now you’re a bit more familiar with augmented reality, its uses and how it differs from virtual reality. At Academii, we’re always looking for new tools to improve the learner experience.