Since 2021, as the term "Metaverse" has been used globally, not only developers but also general users have been using virtual reality-related terminology.
It seems we are in an era where ordinary people use the most technical terms and study related technologies since the dawn of history. Therefore, regrettably, many people use terms interchangeably, or I sometimes find myself using them in a confusing manner.
So, I decided to write a post to organize the terminology as well..
1. VR ( Virtual Reality ) – Virtual Reality
The most familiar keyword to us. An abbreviation for Virtual Reality. Literally means virtual reality.
The meaning of VR defined in the Wiki document is as follows.
Virtual reality (VR) is a simulated experience that employs pose tracking and 3D near-eye displays to give the user an immersive feel of a virtual world.(Google Translate) Virtual reality (VR) is a simulated experience that uses pose tracking and 3D near-eye displays to give the user an immersive feel of a virtual world.
Wikipedia link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_reality
Namu Wiki link: https://namu.wiki/w/%EA%B0%80%EC%83%81%ED%98%84%EC%8B%A4
Reading this document, it is actually a concept that is quite old. I believe it is appropriate to view it as an academic approach that began with the yearning and interest in the virtual world. If you want to properly understand a more academic approach, I recommend reading the above wiki document.
However, when we say VR, we often refer to HMD (Head Mounted Display) devices like the Meta Quest Pro.
This is because the technology utilizes Stereoscopic (binocular disparity – the principle where images entering the left and right eyes differ, allowing the brain to perceive depth during processing) to display images to the left and right eyes while considering the actual differences in the real world, thereby utilizing a technology that makes our eyes and brain feel similar to reality.
Therefore, what we commonly call VR devices is actually a more accurate expression to call them HMD devices using VR technology. However, it seems that a social consensus has been formed to generally refer to them as VR devices.
If you want to study VR further, I recommend studying the basic concept of binocular disparity, the resulting fatigue, and other related content.
I believe a thorough understanding of fatigue caused by binocular disparity and the difference from reality is absolutely necessary.
2. AR ( Augmented Reality ) – Augmented Reality
It seems to be the next most widely known term after VR. If we say it in Korean, it is Augmented Reality.
The meaning of Augmented Reality as defined in the Wiki document is as follows.
Augmented reality (AR) is an interactive experience that combines the real world and computer-generated content.(Google Translate) Augmented reality (AR) is an interactive experience that combines the real world with computer-generated content.
Wikipedia link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augmented_reality
Namu Wiki link: https://namu.wiki/w/AR
Conceptually, it can be understood as combining computer-generated elements with the sensations we feel in the real world to create the illusion that graphics are appearing as if they are mixed into reality.
The widespread recognition of AR technology came about largely due to Pokémon Go.
随着智能手机的普及，大多数用户可以随身携带配备摄像头的计算机图形处理终端，并通过智能手机的显示屏，将摄像头捕捉到的现实世界数据与设备内置图形处理器生成的图形数据进行匹配和使用。
Compared to the VR field, which requires implementing virtual reality through display devices like HMDs, this technology has the advantage of being much easier to distribute. It also has the benefits of low fatigue issues, easy construction, and low cost, making it widely used.
While various attempts are being made in fields such as furniture arrangement and virtual try-on, at the same time, errors often occur in synchronizing and aligning AR data, making widespread adoption difficult.
Conversely, solutions that effectively change a user's appearance data or background data, such as those used in social-based photos and short-form content like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat, are widely used. As excellent developers from around the world join in to improve them, they are showing tremendous progress.
VR 에 비해 확실히 쉬운 보급 방법과 강력한 파급효과를 바탕으로 소셜 컨텐츠 및 마케팅쪽에 많이 사용되고 있다.
Additionally, for students and amateurs looking to create or study virtual reality content, it is also a great learning field that allows them to start more easily than other fields.
3. MR ( Mixed Reality ) – Mixed Reality
In Korean, it is called Mixed Reality. While not entirely accurate, a very easy way to understand it is to think of it as VR + AR. The basic principle is an AR environment, but it can be viewed as utilizing methods researched, developed, and disseminated in VR to create an AR environment.
The dictionary definition of a wiki document is as follows.
Mixed reality (MR) is a term used to describe the merging of a real-world environment and a computer-generated one. Physical and virtual objects may co-exist in mixed reality environments and interact in real time. Mixed reality is largely synonymous with augmented reality.(Google Translate) Mixed reality (MR) is a term used to describe the merging of a real-world environment and a computer-generated environment. Physical objects and virtual objects can coexist in mixed reality environments and interact in real time. Mixed reality is largely synonymous with augmented reality.
Wikipedia link : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mixed_reality
Namu Wiki link : https://namu.wiki/w/Windows%20Mixed%20Reality
In short, it falls under the category of AR. Interestingly, the term MR became known to us largely because the giant company Microsoft began using and promoting it. While VR devices, represented by Oculus, were very popular, Microsoft started releasing various forms of MR devices and collaborating with other hardware companies to introduce hardware. I recall that the keyword used at the time was MR.
At that time, a very amazing device that could become the representative of Microsoft's Windows Holographic also appeared, which was the debut of the first MR device, HoloLens.
Personally, I remember the emergence of the HoloLens being a very shocking event for creators and developers like me who deal with virtual reality-related technology. However, it received criticism for being too far ahead of its time and showed a lot of regret.
However, as time passed and the HoloLens 2 was newly released, it demonstrated significant progress and potential. However, regrettably, MR technology still appears difficult to普及, and as a result, the HoloLens appears to have failed in building a developer environment.
Amidst this, since 2022, Meta has begun mentioning MR-related stories on its new VR devices. By officially mentioning Mixed Reality multiple times, it appears that the MR ecosystem Microsoft hoped to unlock with HoloLens will be revealed through Meta's hands, such as via the Meta Quest Pro.
Post on collaboration between MS and Meta: https://www.soonsoon.co/post/dev/640/
Meta Quest Pro review: https://blog.naver.com/progagmer/222917339959
However, after purchasing the Meta Quest Pro and trying Meta's color passthrough mixed reality, I have to say the outlook is bleak. In fact, with the media reporting on Meta's gloomy metaverse stories and Microsoft reportedly giving up on the HoloLens 3, it seems that MR will face various difficulties in becoming widespread.
4. XR (Extended Reality) – Extended Reality
In Korean, this is Extended Reality (XR), and I think it is probably the most unfamiliar term among those mentioned above. Simply put, it is a term that broadly covers AR, VR, and MR. Before the term Metaverse became popular, this term was used to collectively refer to the various terms that appeared when discussing virtual reality related technologies.
The dictionary definition of Wiki documents is as follows.
Extended reality is a catch-all to refer to augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). Sometimes the acronym ‘XR’ is used in placeExtended reality is a catch-all term referring to augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). Sometimes the acronym ‘XR’ is used.
Wikipedia link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extended_reality
Namuwiki link: None
In Korea, the concept is not widely known enough to even appear on Namuwiki, but in my memory, it was a term frequently used in 2019 and 2020, led by several companies and institutions.
Indeed, when the term XR first started to be used, reactions from developers like me working on Unity virtual reality projects were that the term XR was too forced and unwelcome. As expectations for VR, AR, and MR grew, and devices like the Quest 2, HoloLens 2, and iPhones equipped with the Rider Scanner for easy AR implementation emerged, the demand for development increased. Consequently, these technologies were grouped under XR and used as a collective term.
However, since the first half of 2021, due to the sudden rise of the metaverse keyword, it feels as if it is occasionally mentioned only for the purpose of integrating technologies under the metaverse.
In other words, it feels like being caught by the term Metaverse in terms of position.
Once you are familiar with these terms, even if the metaverse bubble bursts and only discussions about the technology remain, you should be able to follow the conversation with a better understanding of the context.
While I cannot provide exact quantitative metrics, the frequency of keyword appearances I feel while working on related topics follows the order VR >> AR >>> MR >>>>>>>>>>>> XR.
Of course, while we hear a lot about the more comprehensive term "Metaverse" right now.. I do get the feeling that once the bubble in the Metaverse fully deflates, this part might shrink significantly.
Additionally, this article may be revised if there are incorrect summaries or content that needs to be added. ( Last updated November 6, 2022 )