AR - VR | Science & Technology for UPSC CSE PDF Download

What is Augmented Reality?

Augmented Reality (AR) is the technology that superimposes an image with sound, touch, and even smell on a user's view of the real world and enhances it. It is a mixture of the actual scene viewed by the user and a computer-generated virtual scene. AR is a technology that can blur the lines of reality.
Augmented Reality has progressed beyond games and headsets and has entered many sectors. In general terms, for several applications such as assembly, maintenance, repair, education, training, retail display, and diagnostics, augmented Reality is increasingly being implemented.
By providing them with an additional layer of knowledge and observations, AR makes staff more productive. Industries such as pharmaceuticals, oil and gas, military, aerospace, automotive, and manufacturing are also developing the workforce. In circumstances where new employees need assistance, Virtual Reality remote assistance will boost preparation.

What is Virtua Reality?
By blocking out everything in your life and constructing a simulation of a new future, virtual reality helps you to escape the physical world. The user feels the virtual world first hand by placing the VR goggles on.
By using Oculus Rift, Google Cardboard, or Samsung Gear VR, you can explore virtual reality. You can immediately be transported into the dinosaur age or climb on top of mountains by putting on your VR gear.
To program images and graphics, a coding language known as Virtual Reality Modelling Language (VRML) is used to help users perceive stimulated reality. VR technology activates users' visual and auditory senses and helps them to become fully immersed in their new stimulating world.

What are the Applications of Augmented Reality?

Defense Systems
This helps to increase the soldiers' understanding of the situation using AR technology. Tactical Augmented Reality (TAR) is the name of the technique. In addition to the positioning of others (friends and enemy soldiers), this technology has an ocular that allows soldiers on the battlefield to precisely identify their locations.
Advertisements
For instance, without visiting the actual showroom, Jaguar Land Rover placed prospective car buyers in the virtual driver's seat of its latest models. Without the need to install an app, consumers may activate the AR capability directly from a banner ad. The outside view of the driving seat can be seen by customers through transparent windows.
Healthcare Facilities
In reconstruction surgery, handheld ultrasound scanners are traditionally used for detecting blood vessels and bones. However, since it can help to locate the blood vessels very precisely and in a shorter time, AR technology has the potential to replace ultrasound scanners.
Pharmaceutical 
Tools for Augmented Reality can help scientists visualize the structure of complex molecules. Typically, drug developers work with static models. The AR will allow developers to step into the molecule to see how it moves and reacts to various stimuli and circumstances. This would decrease mistakes and reduce the years-long period of drug growth.

Other Examples of Augmented Reality from Everyday Life 

• An example of Augmented Reality is several filtres on Snapchat and Instagram.
• Additional information on the screen is provided by scanning your QR code using your phone's camera.
• Augmented Reality is specifically placed onto the glasses by Google Glass and other Head-up Displays (HUD). For patients taking treatment, these glasses may be used as reminders.
• It is used by retail firms to help consumers envisage aesthetics as new furniture is put to upgrade their home interiors.
• Pokemon is one of the most popular games to reach the crowd with a major chord.
• In the field of language translation also, AR is used.

How are both augmented Reality and Virtual Reality Different?

Objective
By incorporating interactive elements such as digital images, visuals, or sensations as a new dimension of interaction with the physical world, augmented reality improves experiences. In comparison, virtual reality generates its own reality that is created and powered entirely by computers. 

Method for delivery
Usually, Virtual Reality is supplied to the user through a head-mounted or hand-held controller. This system ties people to virtual reality and allows them to monitor and navigate their behavior in an environment designed to mimic the real world.
Augmented reality is constantly used In mobile devices such as laptops, smartphones, and tablets to transform how the physical world and digital images, graphics, converge and communicate.

How are both alike?

Technology 
Some of the same forms of technologies are also leveraged by augmented and virtual reality, and each exists to provide the user with an improved or enhanced experience.
Medicine and Science
In addition, both virtual and augmented environments have great potential to change the medical field's environment by making items like remote operations a real possibility. These technologies, such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), have also been used to treat and cure psychological disorders.

What are the Risks Factor Associated with AR and VR?
The primary concern regarding the use of AR and VR technology is our privacy. Both AR and VR technology need software to run and it might lead to data being leaked without our consent. This software can be hacked or tampered with to collect our private data without our permission.
Also, the lack of experts in this field poses the risk of accidents. The shortage of experts or trained professionals in this field is the main reason behind the underdevelopment of AR and VR technology. Also, the lack of research in this area leads to many unseen dangers related to AR and VR applications in our everyday use.