According to multiple sources, mixed reality solutions are the future of many industries. By combining the real world with digital elements, businesses can create more immersive and interactive experiences for their customers and employees. This technology can be used for various purposes, from marketing and advertising to product development and training.
Mixed, augmented and virtual reality – what are the differences?
Augmented reality (AR) overlays digital elements onto a live image of the physical environment. Using cameras, AR apps display both physical and virtual objects on a digital screen.
Mixed reality (MR) usually uses a transparent screen and displays the virtual objects on it. MR combines the virtual and physical worlds and makes them intertwine smoothly. The digital world can be interacted with and experienced in the same way as the physical one.
The main difference between VR and MR? In the latter, there are two worlds that interact with each other, while in VR, there is only the digital space. Nevertheless, mixed reality solutions can be used to great effects in many situations and settings where VR and AR are also applicable. So why should you choose MR? In some cases, it’s significantly more effective.
How can an organization benefit from mixed reality solutions?
MR is used mainly for business applications and can be more expensive than VR and AR. This makes it less popular than its sister technologies, at least for now. Nevertheless, mixed reality services have the potential to be used in a variety of fields, such as the military, manufacturing, and healthcare. MR shines in situations where VR and AR solutions are simply ineffective. So let’s examine when and how organizations should use mixed reality solutions.
Enhanced employee training
Mixed reality solutions help train employees more effectively by providing realistic, hands-on experience. Thanks to MR, they will learn new skills more quickly and retain information better.
VR training and MR training are similar in many ways, but mixed reality solutions are better in certain situations. The difference is that instructions and virtual objects can be presented in an actual physical working environment. And for that reason, mixed reality can be more realistic. How does this look in practice? The video below shows a project we developed for one of our clients.
Product design and manufacturing
There are a number of ways a company can use mixed reality solutions to increase productivity. Mixed reality can be used to create digital twins of physical objects. These digital twins can be used to test and perfect new designs before they are created, saving time and money. Organizations can also use the technology to create virtual spaces for remote employees to collaborate more effectively.
One large company that’s using the Microsoft Hololens MR headset to enhance its manufacturing and design efforts is Airbus. Watch the video below to find out more.
Remote technical support
Using the same principle our AR tech support app uses, companies including Mercedes Benz utilize mixed reality solutions for remote technical support. With MR, a specialized technician located in an office can help field technicians repair some of the more complicated parts. This reduces the repair time and saves money on traveling to the place.
Healthcare applications
Alongside design, manufacturing and training, healthcare is a good ground for utilizing the power of MR. Statistics from Microsoft show it significantly increases ROI and can reduce training time by 30%, for example. Of course, one of the ways the healthcare industry benefits from mixed reality is by gaining new training abilities. So how are mixed reality solutions unique and beneficial for learning in medical environments?
They open up new, vast opportunities for practical surgery training. Usually, medical students could learn by either observing a live surgery or performing it on a corpse. In the first case, they don’t gain any hands-on experience, and in the second situation, the training isn’t very realistic. With mixed reality, you can project virtual objects onto the body. These interactive elements can respond to the student’s actions as if they were performing an actual procedure.
Putting training aside, mixed reality solutions can assist doctors in giving quick and accurate diagnoses. Soon, doctors wearing MR glasses will be able to take a look at a patient’s vitals and diagnose them quickly and accurately. What’s more, healthcare professionals will view real-time data, images and information on top of a patient’s body while performing medical procedures.
Mixed reality services tailored to your needs
At 4Experience, we have a lot of experience with the Microsoft Hololens MR headset. Our Development Team knows exactly how to get the most out of the technology and build a mixed reality application customized for your specific needs. The Art Team will design a UI for a great user experience and create stunning 3D content. With our AI specialists, you can implement cutting-edge solutions, including machine learning algorithms.
If you’re thinking about developing mixed reality solutions for your business, fill out the contact form available in our mixed reality offer. One of our business consultants should contact you within 24 hours. Do you already have a plan in mind? If not, we’re here to help you develop a strategy. More than 200 customers from around the world have trusted us. Will you be the next?
The author generated this text in part with GPT-3, OpenAI’s large-scale language-generation model. Upon generating draft language, the author reviewed, edited, and revised the language to their own liking and takes ultimate responsibility for the content of this publication.
