What is Mixed Reality?

Immersion describes the effect of being immersed in a virtual environment. This effect simulates a real-looking world. The term is often associated with computer games and VR applications. Further information on this topic can be found in the article ‘Immersive - What does it actually mean? Easily explained’.

Mixed reality consists of the overlapping of humans, computers and the environment. This means that everything can interact with each other. For example, objects are linked to real objects via tracking. This means that a digital vase placed on a real table can move with the table when it is moved. As a result, the vase remains in the same place on the table as before. In contrast, AR objects are only projected into the real world and cannot interact with it. If the table from the example were to be moved in an AR application, the vase would now float in the air. VR, on the other hand, does not necessarily require real objects to merge with the virtual world. When moving the table, the player would reach into the “void” in VR while moving the table in virtual space.

MR can be displayed with both holographic and immersive devices. Holographic devices, such as the "Microsoft HoloLens", are glasses for AR applications. They are used to place digital elements in the real world. The transparent display is intended to make the physical environment visible so that the merging of real and digital objects is more effective. Cell phones and tablets can also run AR applications. Immersive devices are VR glasses that visualize a completely virtual world. The real world is completely faded out. This ensures effective immersion. As a result, a real effect is achieved and the player is completely immersed in the virtual world. The opaque display of the VR glasses envelops the eyes so that the player is cut off from the surroundings. One example of VR glasses is the “Oculus Quest”.

MR is the fusion of the physical world with a digital one. It is part of XR and a mixture of VR and AR. Both holographic and immersive devices are used to visualize MR. The overlap between humans, computers and the environment is the key aspect that separates MR from AR and VR. Virtual and physical elements, in the form of humans, computers and the environment, can interact with each other.