The New Continuum: Extensive Explosion of ‘Extended Reality’ Technology

The New Continuum: Extensive Explosion of ‘Extended Reality’ Technology

Introduction:

It is a mixture of Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality and Mixed Reality and is a fascinating technology. A user interface is a space where interactions between humans and machines occur. It refers to all real-and-virtual combined environments and human-machine interactions generated by computer technology and wearables. XR can be defined as an umbrella, which brings all three Reality (AR, VR, MR) together under one term. It provides a wide variety and vast number of levels in the Virtuality of partially sensor inputs to Immersive Virtuality. XR does lots of stuff, such as 3D environments and etc.

It is the spectrum of experiences that blurs the line between the real world and the simulated world. The technology immerses the user through visuals, audio, and potentially olfactory and haptic cues. A theatre-like media viewing experience delivered via 360-degree or 180-degree video. 

Extended Reality (XR) introduces a new way to preserve, record, and manage content. XR is a new form of media that can be difficult to integrate into current platforms

Essentials:

• Augmented Virtuality: The projection of real objects onto the virtual world
• Reality-Virtuality-Continuum: It showcases the different levels of the transition from the real world to the virtual world
• Photogrammetry: It allows the creation of 3D objects or scenes with only 2D images
• Stereoscopic Images: These are two conventional images, taken side by side, which allow the user to perceive the illusion of depth by showing each eye an individual image

• Diegetic UI: Positioning of the UI in the physical scene or environment with appropriate anchoring in the context and setting of the application
• Fuse Button: Element of the user interface that does not require the user to physically interact by clicking but instead triggers after being focussed for a predetermined amount of time
• Gaze Selection: The selection of elements of the UI by directing the user's visual focus on it
• Hotspot: Element of the UI that is linked with one or multiple objects in the scene
• Hover: Visual/audible/haptic feedback when the reticle triggers a UI element
• Reticle: The equivalent of a cursor in conventional interfaces. Controlled either through head movement, gestures or controllers
• Spatial UI: Positioning of the user interface within the virtual or physical three-dimensional space

• 360° Video: Spherical images that capture a 360° field of view from one given location
• Immersion: Effect of users perceiving a fully or partially virtual environment as real
• Position Tracking: Detection of position, direction, and movements of a body in 3D space
• Transporter/Teleport: Hotspots that allow teleportation between different locations within the application
• VR Video: Stereoscopic 180° or 360° video, which allows for depth perception as well as the ability to look around
• Equirectangular: Translation of a spherical image to a conventional two-dimensional image
• Skeuomorphismus: Imitation of real-world objects and processes in visual, audible or haptic elements
• X Reality (XR): A form of mixed reality environment that comes from the fusion of ubiquitous sensor/actuator networks and shared online virtual worlds

Advantages:

• Visualization, Remote Learning, Collaboration, Accessibility, High Engagement, Knowledge Retention and Advanced Analytics
• Safe training and Seamless data access
• Enables human beings to feel and interact

Disadvantages:

• Tech addiction, Artificiality, Lack of Flexibility and Hacking, Cyber-attack
• Health, Cost, Misuse of personal data and Fake experiences

Future:

It is a high-hyped term.  In the future, AR, VR, and MR will work together and disrupt every sector. It is a fundamental shift in the way people will interact with technology and media

It will also play a larger role in manufacturing from product design and prototyping to helping operators and other workers solve process problems, maintain a safe environment, and maintain equipment. 

Extended reality will support robotics, remote services, and training

Applications:

• Entertainment, Marketing, Healthcare and Manufacturing
• Retail, Training, Real Estate, and Remote Work

Developer-Take-A-Ways!

• https://www.accenture.com/in-en/service-extended-reality
• https://www.udemy.com/extended-reality-xr-building-ar-vr-mr-projects/
• https://www.softwebsolutions.com/xr-app-development.html
• https://www.solidworks.com/feature/new-extended-reality-xr-exporter-solidworks-cad
• https://docs.unity3d.com/Manual/XR.html
• https://beenoculus.com.br/en/solutions/

Conclusion:

Extended reality is quickly becoming one of the strongest event technology trends to watch. The applications of XR for experiences are very strong. Exciting times ahead.

XR is an emerging technological platform. In the future, we see people interacting with the virtual world and real-world in seamless, frictionless and continuous ways, not bound by delineations of experience between “VR,” “AR” or “MR.”

I’m going to share a bunch of tools for developers at the Developer Take-A-Ways Section of the story, but feel free to comment, share or send me any other interesting videos or links you might have found. ✌ It’s a massive opportunity to work on. I hope you found this article useful.

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