The world is a diverse place that continues to develop as technology advances. Artificial intelligence and immersive media have a strong positive correlation with each other as if artificial intelligence improves so will the work of virtual and augmented reality. 

Virtual reality is not a real world but a simulation that brings the user into a completely virtual world. On the other hand augmented reality is where the virtual world overlays onto parts of the real world. Both VR and AR fall into the category of immersive media as the user interacts with the environment through different elements of technology.

From the works I have found through my research, I see that there is a clear distinction in what the user experiences between VR and AR works. The VR works I examined were the following: Immersive Van Gogh, Time Travel, and Kraken Unleashed. Alongside, the AR works I examined were the following: AR Bar, AR & Light Installation, and Arctic Explored. Both Time Travel and Kraken Unleashed have people wear VR headsets while going through a museum and on a rollercoaster respectively. People were taken into a full virtual world. However, Immersive Van Gogh did not use headsets but completely transformed normal space (plain walls) into a light show environment that resembled Van Gogh’s “Starry Night”. On the other hand, the AR Bar at ARTECHOUSE had an extended reality (XR) feature where users could download an app to turn the drinks alive. The AR & Light Installation along with the Arctic Explored exhibition both had people step into a physically designed environment which was then transformed into an immersive experience through AR with people’s phones and body movement, respectively.

Time Travel and Kraken Unleashed were designed fully on digital software such as Maya and Unity to create the virtual world which the users enter through using the headset and respective apps developed by museums, amusement parks, etc. Immersive Van Gogh uses projection of lights on large surfaces to bring the user into a semi virtual world. On the other hand, AR Bar and AR & Light Installation have users use an app to view the AR aspects of the physical object present in front of them. The app is coded through platforms such as X-Code, and then softwares such as Unity for the AR aspect. Arctic Explorer uses motion sensors to determine the position of a user and then projects sea animals in which the user can “touch” or “hold” through the display screen in front of them. Platforms such as unity to develop the AR animal figures may have been used alongside motion, light, and digital sensors.

Virtual reality and augmented reality are continuing to develop to bring users of the real world into spaces that were never imagined before. The future has incredible potential for immersive work!

What is the future of AR and VR? 

AR and VR will be estimated to have a significant global market worth in the future because of how fast technology is developing. Currently, marketing is adapting AR to have users experience products from home. For example, IKEA and Amazon allow users to see how furniture looks in their own house. SEPHORA also has a feature where users can see what specific makeup products look like on them if they upload a picture. The future has great potential of bringing AR and VR into everyday life. 

 Can anyone create works of AR and VR?

Anyone and everyone can create AR or VR Works. As long as people are willing to learn the different components or making these projects. For example, learning software such as Unity and understanding the different sensors that need to be implemented in order for installations to have the desired outcome. Although cost and space may be an issue, there are many free softwares, and projects can be implemented anywhere and everywhere if they are all digital.

 Is the Metaverse the same as VR?

The Metaverse is a virtual world where users can create and develop possible applications. Although it sounds similar to virtual reality, one of the main differences is that in the Metaverse one can make money off of their works. Unlike VR where it is a single world at one given time, the Metaverse is a network of worlds that are interconnected with one another. In the future, it is possible that people have two versions of themselves: real world persona and online world persona. The Metaverse all together is its own"world" while VR is an "experience" in the real world.