Extended reality

Extended reality (XR) is an umbrella term to refer to augmented reality (AR), mixed reality (MR), and virtual reality (VR). The technology is intended to combine or mirror the physical world with a "digital twin world" able to interact with it,^[1][2] giving users an immersive experience by being in a virtual or augmented environment.

Types of extended reality

From top to bottom: Augmented reality, mixed reality, virtual reality

The fields of virtual reality and augmented reality are rapidly growing and being applied in a wide range of areas such as entertainment, cinema, marketing, real estate, training, education, maintenance^[3] and remote work.^[4] Extended reality has the ability to be used for joint effort in the workplace, training, educational purposes, therapeutic treatments, and data exploration and analysis.

Extended reality works by using visual data acquisition that is either accessed locally or shared and transfers over a network and to the human senses. By enabling real-time responses in a virtual stimulus these devices create customized experiences. Advancing in 5G and edge computing – a type of computing that is done "at or near the source of data" – could aid in data rates, increase user capacity, and reduce latency. These applications will likely expand extended reality into the future.

Around one-third of the global extended reality market is attributed to Europe.^{[citation needed]}

In 2018 the BBC launched a research project to capture and document the barriers present in extended reality environments.^[5]

The International Institute of MetaNumismatics (INIMEN) studies the applications of extended reality technologies in numismatic research, with a dedicated department.^[6]

See also

• Computer-mediated reality – Ability to manipulate one's perception of reality through the use of a computer
• Head-mounted display – Type of display device
• Immersion (virtual reality) – Perception of being physically present in a non-physical world
• Metaverse – Collective three-dimensional virtual shared space
• On-set virtual production – Technology for television and film production
• OpenXR – Standard for access to virtual reality and augmented reality platforms and devices
• Reality–virtuality continuum – Concept in computer science
• Smartglasses – Wearable computer glasses
• Spatial computing – Computing paradigm emphasizing 3D spatial interaction with technology
• Wearable computer – Small computing device worn on the body
• WebXR – Experimental JavaScript API for augmented/virtual reality devices