Developments in consumer electronics technologies, specific display technologies, other input systems such as sensors, graphics processing, computer vision and other fields of artificial intelligence, and cloud computing have advanced further the capabilities of virtual reality or VR and augmented reality or AR. The same developments have also enabled the merger of VR and AR technologies to create mixed reality or MR.
Pros of Mixed Reality: Advantages and Applications
Mixed reality combines virtual reality and augmented reality concepts and technologies to merge the real-world environment and computer-generated environment and create a mixed environment where the real world coexists with digital content or allows the virtual environment to exist alongside the real physical environment.
An MR system allows novel human-computer interactions and computer applications based on a more immersive and realistic graphical user interface. Its specific applications in gaming and entertainment, computer-aided communications, and business and industries come from its capabilities that translate further to its advantages.
Below are the specific advantages of mixed reality:
1. Enhanced Immersive User Experience
Remember that MR combines the real physical environment with a computer-simulated virtual environment to allow the real world to coexist with virtual or digital content and objects. This creates a more immersive and interactive experience for users. It enables users to see and interact with virtual objects in their real environment while also allowing for a more natural and intuitive graphical user interface and user experience.
The enhanced and immersive user experience from MR produces a range of practical applications. Examples include interactive and engaging learning modalities that can improve teaching or complement online learning setups, three-dimensional communication to improve engagements in remote work or work-from-home arrangements, and novel video gaming applications and entertainment services.
2. Improved Communication and Collaboration
The fact that it produces an enhanced and immersive user experience means that it also improves communication and collaboration. This is another notable advantage of mixed reality. It can facilitate communication and collaborative work by enabling multiple users to interact with the same virtual environment simultaneously without being in the same physical location. Take note that this is useful in tasks that require collaboration and interaction.
It is also important to note that MR can also complement the metaverse or its specific applications and advantages. This can result in the development of newer video gaming applications, produce novel social media platforms beyond the two-dimensional user interface of current social networking sites and applications, and the introduction of innovative online-enabled retail experiences or advanced electronic commerce applications.
3. Real-Time Interaction and Hands-Free Operations
An MR system allows for real-time interaction between digital and physical objects. Users can manipulate and control virtual content using gestures, voice commands, or physical objects. This creates a seamless blend of the physical and virtual worlds. There are specific real-world applications of these real-time physical-virtual interactions. These include remote collaboration, interactive training, product design, and medical visualization.
Take note that immersing in a mixed environment using MR headsets allows for hands-free operation. This can be particularly valuable in scenarios where users require their hands to be free for other critical tasks or activities. Hands-free operation offers users a more intuitive and natural way to interact with virtual or digital content and objects while simultaneously engaging in real-world activities or interacting with physical objects.
Cons of Mixed Reality: Disadvantages and Limitations
Some of the disadvantages of mixed reality are similar to the disadvantages of virtual reality and augmented reality. It is also important to note that both VR and AR applications have remained limited as evident from the fact that most computer systems and use cases involving computers are still confined within a two-dimensional graphical user interface.
MR remains a relatively new technology. Fewer companies have launched related products but they have not gained mass popularity due to their costs and their limited practical applications. Some consider these MR devices as having no chance of replacing existing consumer electronic devices like desktop or laptop personal computers and smartphones.
Below are the specific disadvantages of mixed reality:
1. Limited Applications and Limited Content
The wide range of possible applications of mixed reality is one of its advantages. However, because the technology is still new, actual real-world applications remain limited due to low adoption from involved parties. The main reason behind this limitation centers on the costs that come from developing and producing related hardware like MR headsets and the premium price points of MR headsets available in the market.
Adding to its limited practical applications are content availability issues. The library of available mixed reality content is still relatively limited content to mainstream media platforms and consumer electronic devices. The newness of the technology and low market penetration of MR hardware and systems present challenges in developing and publishing high-quality content. These challenges include specialized skills and resources.
2. May Cause Physical Discomfort and Issues
Most MR headsets in the market are cumbersome. Wearing them for an extended period can cause physical discomfort due to weight strain on the head and pressure on the face. This can limit the duration of continuous usage and may require users to take regular breaks to alleviate discomfort. These headsets can also cause eyestrain due to brightness and glare, focus and accommodation conflict, and unsuitable resolution.
Some users may experience motion sickness when immersed in a mixed-reality environment. This comes from a sensory mismatch between visual and physical sensations. This can be particularly prominent in situations where there is a discrepancy between the perceived motion of the user and his or her actual physical environment. A particular MR environment can also produce a barrage of stimuli and leads to overstimulation.
3. Notable Safety and Privacy Concerns
Engaging in virtual content within a mixed-reality environment can lead to potential safety hazards. Users may become less aware of their physical surroundings. Users may become less attentive to obstacles, hazards, or other people. This increases the risk of collisions, falls, or other accidents. It is important for users to create a safe environment and be mindful of their surroundings when using mixed reality devices.
There are also concerns over user privacy. MR devices often collect and process data about the user and their environment. Examples of these data include audio, video, and spatial mapping information. User activity can also be tracked and recorded. This raises cybersecurity and data privacy concerns. Improper handling or unauthorized access to this data can compromise user privacy or lead to potential security breaches.