Mixed Reality (MR)

Definition

Mixed reality (MR) seamlessly merges the real and virtual worlds, allowing physical and digital objects to coexist and interact in real time. A type of MR known as visuo-haptic mixed reality incorporates haptic feedback.

Applications

MR has found applications across various fields:

  • Education: Providing immersive simulation-based learning experiences in subjects like history, health sciences, and anatomy.
  • Entertainment: Enhancing gaming, television shows, and live events with a blend of real and virtual elements.
  • Military training: Creating virtual battlefields with layered data and visual aids, allowing for realistic scenario simulations.
  • Blended spaces: Integrating physical and virtual environments in a unified experience, such as augmented reality devices or location-based tourism apps.
  • Remote working: Enabling global teams to collaborate in immersive virtual environments and overcome language barriers.
  • Product content management: Providing interactive 3D renderings of products, enhancing customer engagement and reducing returns.
  • Robotics: Facilitating human-robot interaction through mixed reality glasses that allow operators to control and monitor robots remotely.

Display Technologies

MR utilizes various display technologies to create immersive experiences:

  • Cave automatic virtual environment (CAVE): A room-scale projection system that surrounds users with computer-generated images.
  • Head-up display (HUD): A transparent display that overlays information onto the user's view of the real world.
  • Head-mounted display (HMD): A wearable device that projects images directly into the user's eyes.
  • Mobile devices: Smartphones and tablets with augmented reality capabilities, allowing users to overlay virtual graphics onto real-world surroundings.