AR vs VR Technology Which Will Rule The Metaverse?

In this article, we delve into the competition between AR vs VR technology in the Metaverse. Through an evaluation of their strengths and weaknesses, we explore which technology will emerge as the winner.

Since being first mentioned in a 1992 science fiction novel, Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson, an American author. The metaverse has come a long way and is growing by leaps and bounds despite not going mainstream yet.

This Post Contains

• What Is Virtual Reality?
• What Is Augmented Reality?
• What Are The Differences Between Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR)?
• AR or VR Which One Is Better?

 Facebook’s announcement of a name change to Meta and plans to create their own metaverse last year, put the concept of the metaverse ahead of numerous technological innovations.

But with technological concepts such as Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), Extended Reality (XR) and Mixed Reality (MR) being discussed as the means through which people will access the metaverse. It remains to be seen which of this Virtual world concept is the best and is more feasible for human interaction.

Though the metaverse is yet to go mainstream, Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality are currently being implemented by Users and Technology firms, for the metaverse.

Nevertheless, when the metaverse is adopted broadly, metaverse technologies evolve and User demands also evolve, some metaverse technologies might be dumped for others due to their shortcomings.

As VR and AR are the two best concepts of the metaverse let’s analyze and find out which one will be the main Idea powering the metaverse in years to come.

What Is Virtual Reality (VR)?

Virtual Reality (VR) is an artificial environment generated through computer simulations & modeling and allows people to interact with this three-dimensional environment with the aid of Head Mounted Devices with which they interact with the 3d images & simulations through their Avatars (digital representations of themselve) for an immersive experience.

What Is Augmented Reality (AR)?

Augmented Reality (AR) is an overlay or enhancement of a real-world environment with computer generated information. 

AR uses the Perceptual information generated through the computer to provide the user with additional data and enhances the user’s view of their real-life environment.

Augmented Reality blends the user’s perception of their real-life environment with computer generated information through their visual, auditory,somatosensory, haptic, and olfactory sensory feelings.

What Are The Differences Between Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR)?

AR uses a Real-world setting while VR uses a virtual world setting.

AR alters and enhances what the users already see in their real-world environment, while virtual reality completely replaces the user’s real-world environment with a virtual environment.

Augmented Reality enhances both the Virtual and Real Environment whereas VR enhances only the Virtual environment.

VR Users make use of Head Mounted Devices such as VR headsets and Glasses while they’re not needed for AR, AR can be accessed with a smartphone or tablet.

AR users have more freedom and can control their Physical presence whereas VR users lose control of their Physical presence (while using Virtual Reality devices) as Virtual Reality is more immersive and manipulative.

VR offers more privacy compared to AR. Of the two, AR is more related to Extended Reality (XR) and Mixed Reality (MR).

AR or VR Which One Is Better?

Augmented Reality (AR)

AR is better than VR when it comes to isolated learning and training of technical topics, which means it’s more suitable for a person to learn something or practice what relates to technology and machine processes, to understand better on their own.

To Illustrate, a footballer can use Augmented Reality technology to practice the sport and improve his/her skills individually. Without any challenges as AR is more effective and more practical in this aspect than VR. 

An apprentice(s) at an Automobile repairs workshop can also use AR to practice with a Virtual car overlayed to his physical workshop so he can learn about different parts of the engine.

He can practice repairing automobiles without any risk of damaging a real car in the process of learning.

AR gives Users more freedom and is cheaper to access due to it being available on smartphones.

Virtual Reality (VR)

Virtual is an important part of the metaverse, it is more suitable for learning soft-skill topics, holding board meetings and playing games.

In addition VR is more immersive and offers Users a break from the physical world and also a chance to create their own reality.

However, Virtual Reality is more expensive than Augmented Reality. Users have to buy VR devices that are expensive for an average person. To play safe with VR, Users have to buy a VR treadmill or a Cybershoe in addition to their headset so they can solve the challenges of Locomotion and also eliminate the risk of motion sickness.

As a matter of fact, major criticism of the metaverse has been directed to Virtual Reality with some experts feeling it’s only for the rich as it’s too expensive for most people to afford.

Summary

Augmented Reality wins between the two, because almost any person can access Augmented Reality as long as they have a smartphone. 

Augmented Reality is more user-friendly and also gives freedom to Users unlike Virtual Reality. In addition there’s also less health risk with using AR.

Augmented Reality will rule the metaverse once it goes mainstream. The wide adoption by smartphone users means that investors and Advertisers/marketers will be more willing to put their bet on Augmented Reality.