Mixed reality, or hybrid reality, combines virtual and physical environments where digital and physical objects interact in real time, advancing through technologies like computer vision and graphical processing. It spans the continuum from augmented reality to complete virtual immersion and has significant applications in education, military training, virtual meetings, and healthcare. Companies like Microsoft are leading investments in mixed reality technology, which promises to reshape our perception of digital interactions.

1. What Is Mixed Reality & Its
Applications?
Mixed Reality also referred as ‘Hybrid Reality’ is a combination of both virtual
reality and physical reality which creates a completely new environment where
both physical and digital objects co-exist & interact in real time.

2. Mixed Reality also referred as ‘Hybrid Reality’ is a combination of both virtual reality
and physical reality which creates a completely new environment where both
physical and digital objects co-exist & interact in real time. Due to the advancement
in technologies such as computer vision, graphical processing power, input systems
and display technologies it is now possible to encompass both the physical world
and the virtual world via immersive technology.
Mixed reality has its roots in the early 1990’s when the first immersive mixed reality system
called Virtual Fixtures Platform was developed at the US Air Force’s Armstrong
Laboratories. Though the term Mixed Reality was first coined 4 years later in a 1994 paper
by Paul Milgram & Fumio Kishino, “A Taxonomy of Mixed Reality Visual Displays”. In this
paper, they elaborated the concept of Virtuality Continuum & how displays are categorized
in the taxonomy.
Mixed Reality basically breaks down the barriers between physical and virtual reality. It
comprises of all the spectrums of situations which spans the continuum between virtual
reality and actual reality. It includes augmented reality where the virtual augments the real,
& augmented virtuality, where the real augments the virtual and the various configurations
which fall within virtual reality & Real Environment.

3. Towards the left (near physical reality): Here the user remains in the physical environment
and is kept in a dilemma that they have never left the real environment.
In the Middle (Fully mixed reality): This is the part where the real world completely blends
with the virtual world it will give you a similar experience as it was depicted in the movie
Jumanji where the physical structure of the house where the story took place was completely
blended with the jungle environment.
Towards the right (near virtual reality): here the users experience the complete digital
environment and are unaware of what happens in the real environment around them.

4. Applications of Mixed Reality
MR has its application quite similar to that of Augmented Reality. However, it has its
major application in the field of education at the moment.
Military Training
It is used to simulate combat battlegrounds for military training using HMD’s.
Real Estate Virtualization Environment (RAVE)
RAVE is used to simulate 3D models of manufacturing assets incorporated into a virtual
environment and then linked to real-time data associated with that asset. e.g. Kevyn
Renner of Chevron Corporation has won the US Patent (8,589,809, B2) for “Methods
and systems for conducting a meeting in virtual environment” on November 19, 2013.

5. Remote Working
Employees can work in collaboration and tackle organizations business challenges no
matter where they are physically located all they have to do is strap an immersive headset
and enter a collaborative virtual environment. It also reduces language barriers as AR
applications can translate languages in real time.
Interactive Product Content Management (IPCM)
IPCM enables users to migrate from static product catalogue to more interactive 3D digital
replicas.
Simulation-Based Learning
e-learning is long gone now it’s time for s-Learning. It’s a scientific fact that we remember
and learn things better in an immersive form than from just reading them. Visual memory is
the easiest and memorable form of memory.

6. The above are the few examples of MR applications which we know today along
with this, MR is also used in the field of Healthcare, Aviation, Medical, &
Business etc. The true potential of the technology is yet to be explored.
Companies such as Microsoft with their HoloLens and Acer with their MR
Headsets are investing heavily in the Mixed Reality. Mixed Reality is no doubt the
future technology which will change our complete perception of technology as
we have it today. I am with them, are you?

7. About Chronicloop
Chronicloop is an avid initiative to spread knowledge and
information about the latest trends and technology. For more
information visit: www.chronicloop.com