Extended reality (XR) could also be a term concerning all real-and- virtual combined environments and human-machine interactions generated by technology and wearable, where the ‘X’ represents a variable for any current or future spatial computing technologies e.g it includes representative form such as augmented reality (AR), mixed reality (MR) and virtual reality (VR) and the areas interpolated among them. The levels of virtuality range from partially sensory inputs to immersive virtuality, also called VR.
Imagine what it might be like to live and work in our world in 2030 and beyond . Perhaps ,thanks to advancement in extended reality (XR), an umbrella term used to describe immersive technologies which can merge the physical and virtual worlds, you’d possibly be ready to shop for a replacement home anywhere within the world as if you were actually on site or head to lunch in some faraway land.
Extended reality is an emerging umbrella term for all the immersive technologies. The ones we already have today, augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR) and mixed reality (MR) plus those that are still to be created. All immersive technologies extend the truth we experience by either blending the virtual and real worlds or by creating a totally immersive experience. Recent research revealed that quite 60% of respondents believed XR are going to be mainstream within the next five years.
XR may be a superset which incorporates the whole spectrum from “the complete real” to “the complete virtual” within the concept of reality,Virtuality continuum introduced by Paul Milgram. Stills its connotation lies within the extension of human experiences especially concerning the sense of existence(represented by VR) and thus the acquisition of cognition (represented by AR). With the continual development in human-computer interactions, this connotation remains evolving.
Extended Reality is a rapid growing field being applied in a wide range of ways , such as entertainments marketing, real-estate , training and remote work.
Extended Reality current use cases potential can be seen across industries:
Entertainment: XR brings immersive experience to the entertainment world, and offers consumers an opportunity to virtually experience live music and sporting events from the comfort of their VR headset.
Marketing : Virtual reality have opened new ways for brands to engage with consumers, offering immersive ways to interact with new products.
Training : Extended reality opens new avenues for training and education. People who work In high-risk conditions , like chemists and pilots , can train in safety from a more conventional classroom setting. Medical students, meanwhile, can get hands-on practice on virtual patients.
Remote work: XR removes distance barriers, allowing remote employees to seamlessly access data from anywhere in the world.
Real Estate: property managers can streamline the rental process by allowing potential tenants to view properties virtually while architects and interior designs to leverage XR to bring their designs to life.
Extended reality is not without its challenges. The spread of data presents a new layer of vulnerability for cyber attacks, while the high cost of implementation is a barrier to entry for many companies.
