CIOInsider India Magazine

Extended Reality (XR) is an umbrella term that incorporates any merging or combination between the real and the virtual environment. It includes popular representative forms such as Virtual Reality (VR) – a computer simulated virtual world, Augmented Reality (AR) – a technology that superimposes virtual objects into the user’s real world environment, and Mixed Reality (MR) – a merging together of both virtual and real objects to create a completely new virtual environment.

The rising application of Artificial Intelligence ( AI) and Machine Learning( ML) techniques, adoption of IoT technology integrated through the Cloud servers have risen the demand for Extended Reality even further. It is revolutionizing the way people perceive their real as well as the virtual environment. XR Devices creates an illusionary world and makes the user believe that he or she is

in a completely new world. Given the enormous potential this field possesses, Extended Reality technology has been applied across multiple industrial sectors ranging from Tourism, Healthcare, Retail to Manufacturing. It is however, the Gaming and Entertainment industry where the most widespread application and the most innovative use of Extended Reality can be seen. A VR device such as VR headsets allows the gamers to dive deep into the immersive virtual gamming environment by enabling them to move around the artificial world. The prospect of interacting with virtual creatures that appear inside the immersive virtual gaming environment is always an overwhelming experience for first time users.

In general, the Extended Reality market is expected to grow at a CAGR rate of 65 percent during the forecast period of 2020-2025. Forward thinking enterprises are incorporating Extended Reality applications into their business operational functions as well as improve their product and delivery services. While Virtual Reality is dominating in the Gaming industry, Augmented Reality on the other hand is becoming valuable in the Education and Research sectors. Augmented Reality platforms are helping students suffering from learning difficulties and Autism to grasp what is being taught and also helping them nurture social skills.

In the Defense sector, many governments are bending towards Virtual Reality Simulators for a host of purposes that includes military training, defence surveillance, virtual demo testing of latest military equipments and weapons , and plan out military operations. Extended Reality is also being utilized in conducting virtual tours of stores and construction sites, view the interior and exterior of automobiles before launch among many other similar innovative undertakings. In a world determined by Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Cloud Servers, Extended Reality is yet to become a mainstream technology but that does not hide away the fact that Extended Reality technology has the capacity to replace smartphones and TV screens into one wearable XR device.