Imagine living in a world where you can explore new places, interact with things that don’t exist in reality, or even go on adventures you never thought possible. This is the world of augmented and virtual reality technologies, which have become part of our daily lives and open doors to experiences that are not possible in reality.
Augmented reality is the combination of what we see in reality with digital content that is added to enhance our experience and make it more interactive. For example, when you point your phone at a certain street or place, you can see additional information about that place appear on the screen, such as the history of the buildings or reviews of nearby restaurants. “It’s like you’re living in a science fiction movie while walking down the street.” This is the simplest form of augmented reality. The important thing here is that augmented reality does not replace the real world, but rather adds new elements to it that make the experience of life more enjoyable.
Virtual reality, however, is a completely different world. Instead of adding content to the real world, it transports you to a whole new world as soon as you put on your VR headset. Imagine sitting in a small room, and when you put on the headset, you find yourself in a tropical forest or on another planet. “If you’ve ever dreamed of being a pilot or a space warrior, with VR, that dream becomes possible.” You don’t just see the world, you interact with it as if it were real, touching things and moving around in it.
Major historical events in the field of augmented and virtual reality
The world of technology is full of exciting historical events, but when it comes to augmented reality and virtual reality, there are pivotal moments that have changed the course of things dramatically. Let’s review the most prominent of these events:
In 1968, American researcher Ivan Sutherland at the University of Utah presented the first prototype of a virtual reality system, called the Enchanted Sword. This device was the first to allow users to view a virtual world through a head-mounted display, and the device was so large that it had to be attached to the ceiling. In 1987, scientist Garrett Treadwell first coined the term “virtual reality.” This term was key to understanding the future we were heading toward.
In 1992, the Japanese company Sega announced the Sega VR , the first virtual reality device dedicated to gaming. However, the project was not completed due to technical problems. In 1994, NASA presented the Virtual Interface Environment Workstation project , which was the first experiment with virtual reality in scientific and real-world fields, as they used it for training and space simulation.
In 2000, scientist Thomas Kodari introduced the concept of augmented reality for the first time at a scientific conference, opening the door to a new revolution in technology. In 2007, Nintendo introduced the Wii , which blended real reality and games in an innovative way. In 2009, ARQuake , the first game to use augmented reality interactively, was launched in Sydney, Australia.
In 2012, Oculus launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise funding for the first commercial virtual reality headset, the Oculus Rift , and raised more than $2 million from donors. In 2013, Google introduced Google Glass , one of the first devices to combine augmented reality and virtual reality in one device.
In 2014, Facebook acquired Oculus for $2 billion, announcing its intention to enter the virtual reality space. In 2015, Microsoft announced the HoloLens , the first augmented reality device with 3D display capabilities. In 2016, Niantic’s Pokémon Go became a global phenomenon, achieving massive success using augmented reality.
In 2017, Lenovo introduced the Lenovo Mirage Solo , one of the first standalone VR devices that didn’t need to be connected to any external device. In 2018, Apple introduced new iOS updates that heavily supported augmented reality, helping developers produce innovative AR apps. In 2019, Facebook announced the development of the Oculus Quest , which combined ease of use and high capabilities at the same time.
With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, VR technologies became more important in areas such as education and remote work, increasing their widespread use. In 2021, Microsoft announced a partnership with the US Army to develop an augmented reality system for soldiers called “ IVAS ,” to provide advanced training and information in the field. In 2022, Meta (the new name of Facebook) announced the “ Meta Quest Pro ,” which provided a more integrated and realistic augmented virtual reality experience.
Advantages and disadvantages:
Augmented reality is an amazing technological innovation that provides interactive experiences that combine real and virtual reality. However, like any other technology, it has its advantages and disadvantages.
One of the benefits of AR is that it enhances everyday experiences in new ways. For example, through AR applications, you can see how furniture is arranged in your home before you buy it, or receive instant information while visiting attractions. It also improves education and training, as it can be used to make lessons more interactive and engaging, making complex concepts easier to understand. In addition, it provides an enhanced shopping experience, as users can try on products before they buy, helping them make more informed and accurate purchasing decisions. In the field of training, it enhances safety by providing realistic training without the need for real-world conditions, which increases the safety of trainees.
However, there are some drawbacks associated with AR. It can lead to confusion and duality in perception, as users may find it difficult to distinguish between reality and virtuality, affecting their concentration. There are also privacy concerns, as the use of AR requires the collection of information about user behavior and location data, raising questions about how this data is used and stored. The high costs associated with developing and using AR technologies may be a barrier to widespread access. Also, over-reliance on technology may affect people’s ability to handle everyday tasks without technical support.
Augmented reality is a powerful tool that combines the real and virtual worlds, offering new and useful experiences. However, we must approach this technology with caution, taking into account its potential drawbacks. It is essential to understand how AR can serve our lives without negatively affecting our balance between reality and technology. Therefore, we must take advantage of the potential of AR, while paying attention to its challenges to ensure that we get the most out of this technology.
Supporters' Views
In 2017, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg expressed his enthusiasm for virtual reality at the F8 conference in San Jose, saying, “Virtual reality is the future. It’s not just a game. It’s a whole new way to communicate.” Zuckerberg was an early advocate of the technology, seeing it as a revolutionary way to change the way people communicate.
Steven Spielberg, the famous director, noted in 2018 during the screening of his film “ Ready Player One ” in Los Angeles that “virtual reality opens doors to new worlds that we could not have dreamed of.” The film was a celebration of the idea of virtual worlds and reflects Spielberg’s vision of the potential of this technology to create new experiences.
In 2019, Bill Gates, in an interview with CNN , considered that “augmented reality is going to be an amazing educational tool, and it will enable us to use it in the classroom to teach students in a more interactive way.” Gates has always been a supporter of technology in education, and he believes that augmented reality will contribute to improving learning methods.
Elon Musk, in an interview with Joe Rogan in 2020, said: “Virtual reality will be more than just entertainment, it will reach a point where it will be a way of life for some people.” Musk sees this technology as an essential part of our daily lives in the future.
In 2021, Oprah Winfrey expressed her enthusiasm for augmented reality on her TV show, saying, “Augmented reality gives us the opportunity to have new experiences without leaving our homes, and that’s amazing.” Oprah was excited about using the technology in entertainment and education.
Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon, said in 2021 during an Amazon conference in Seattle: “Virtual reality will open up new markets and new ways to interact with customers.” Bezos believes that this technology will be key to success in e-commerce.
LinkedIn co-founder Reidy Hoffman expressed his belief that “augmented reality will transform the way we work and interact with everyday technology.” Hoffman believed that this technology would dramatically change work environments.
Facebook CEO Sheryl Sandberg expressed her support for virtual reality at a technology conference in New York in 2022, saying, “Virtual reality gives us the opportunity to build deeper, more engaging relationships.” Sheryl has been a strong supporter of new social media technologies.
Neil deGrasse Tyson, a physicist, noted in a 2022 television interview that “augmented reality will allow us to better understand the universe by simulating cosmic phenomena that we can’t see directly.” DeGrasse Tyson saw the technology as a powerful scientific tool.
In 2023, Apple CEO Tim Cook said at WWDC in San Jose that “augmented reality is the future, and we’re going to see technology that merges the real world and the digital world in an amazing way.” Cook was excited about Apple’s progress in this area.
Marsha Collins, the acclaimed author, expressed her enthusiasm for virtual reality during a 2023 meeting in Los Angeles, saying, “Virtual reality gives writers the opportunity to tell new stories in a way that has never been done before.” Collins was excited about the use of virtual reality in literature.
Will Smith, the famous actor, in an interview with Vanity Fair in 2023, said: “Virtual reality is not just a game, it is a new way to explore and understand the world.” Smith was very impressed with the impact of this technology on the entertainment industry.
Film director Peter Jackson spoke at 2024 in New Zealand about the impact of virtual reality, saying: “Virtual reality opens up new dimensions for us in filmmaking.” Jackson believed that this technology would change the way films are made.
Shakira, the famous singer, expressed in an interview with MTV in 2024 about the use of augmented reality in musical performances, saying: "Augmented reality gives us new ways to interact with the audience during performances." Shakira was excited to apply this technology in the field of music.
Lady Gaga, speaking in 2024 with Rolling Stone , said: “Virtual reality is the future, and I see it changing everything in music and art.” Gaga was known for her love of new experiences, and this was one of them.
Christopher Nolan, the famous film director, confirmed in an interview with The Guardian in 2024 that “virtual reality gives us the opportunity to tell stories in completely new ways, and this could change everything in cinema.” Nolan was always looking for new ways to amaze his audience.
Finally, Jennifer Aniston, in an interview with People Magazine in 2024, said: “Augmented reality gives us a new way to explore the world, and that’s amazing.” Aniston was very excited about the idea of using this technology in everyday life.
Opponents' Views
In 2019, renowned author and writer Niall Ferguson expressed his concern about augmented and virtual reality during a Davos conference, saying: “Augmented and virtual reality distance us from reality and force us to live in unreal bubbles, and this is dangerous for society.”
As for Stephen King, the writer known for his horror works, he expressed his opinion in a 2020 interview with the New York Times that “this technology is depriving people of real-life experiences, and I think we are running away from our problems instead of facing them.”
Alan Moore, the British author of graphic novels such as “ Watchmen ,” said in a 2020 interview with The Guardian : “Virtual reality creates fake and dangerous worlds because it forces people to hide from reality.”
Emma Watson, the actress and activist, told the BBC in 2021 that she feared that “this technology can be a way of isolating people from each other and from society, and I think it takes us away from real connection.”
George Clooney, actor and director, in a 2021 interview with Vanity Fair , said: “Virtual reality turns entertainment into something separate from reality, and that’s not healthy.”
In 2021, Canadian author Jay Dionne expressed his opinion in an interview with CBC that “technology is taking us away from normal life and isolating us from the real world.”
“Augmented and virtual reality are destroying our mental environment and distracting us from the real issues we need to confront,” said Naomi Klein, author and activist, at an environmental conference in New York in 2022.
Charlie Brooker, creator of the series " Black Mirror ", said in a 2022 interview with The Independent : "Virtual reality can turn into a nightmare, and turn it into something terrifying like what we see in the series."
Roger Waters, a member of the band " Pink Floyd ", said in a 2023 interview with Rolling Stone : "Virtual and augmented reality are killing the human spirit, and depriving us of real connection."
Neil Gaiman, the British writer and author, in 2023 during his interview with The Atlantic , said: “Virtual reality is just a trick that convinces us that it is an alternative life, but in reality, it does not provide what real reality provides.”
British actor Sean Bean said in a 2023 interview with The Hollywood Reporter .
Jodie Foster, actress and director, in 2023 during an interview with The New Yorker , said: “This technology is isolating individuals, and that poses a great danger to societies.”
Bill Murray, the comedian, in an interview with Esquire in 2024, said: “Virtual reality makes us forget our real reality and immerse ourselves in unreal worlds, and that does us more harm than good.”
“This technology is being used to enhance the economic power of big corporations and to distance people from the economic and social realities they must grapple with,” US Senator Elizabeth Warren said in Washington in 2024.
Paul McCartney, the famous musician, said in an interview with Q Magazine in 2024: “Virtual reality may be fun, but I think it dilutes the real human experience.”
Actress Rachel McAdams expressed concern in a 2024 interview with Glamour that “AR could become a way to avoid reality, rather than enhance it.”
Tim Berners-Lee, the creator of the web, told Wired in 2024: “Virtual reality could lead to the disintegration of societies and the widening of the digital divide.”
Finally, Dan Brown, the famous author of thrillers, said in a 2024 interview with Entertainment Weekly : “Virtual reality can be a gateway to amazing experiences, but at the same time it can be an escape from reality.”
Funny situations
In 2018, during a technology conference in San Francisco, Jonathan, an entrepreneur, was trying out a virtual reality game. Suddenly, he started running on the spot while wearing a VR headset, to the point that he fell on the stage. Everyone around him burst out laughing because his reaction was exaggerated, while he thought he was running away from a huge monster.
In 2019, in New York, a kid named Max was playing an augmented reality game, trying to catch a Pokémon character on the street. But in a moment of immersion in the game, he fell into a puddle, and everyone around him was laughing out loud.
Mark Zuckerberg, at the F8 2020 conference, decided to give a presentation using virtual reality, but a technical glitch occurred. Instead of appearing as a normal human, he appeared in the image as a strange creature with a huge head, which made the audience laugh out loud.
In 2020, in London, a group of friends were trying out a new virtual reality game at an arcade. Suddenly, Tom jumped in terror when a terrifying figure appeared in front of him. But he forgot that he was not on the edge of a mountain and fell on his friend who was next to him.
In 2021, in Los Angeles, Jennifer was an actress filming an augmented reality commercial. She was wearing high heels and when she started seeing things flying in the augmented reality, she started spinning around until she fell. The crew tried to hold back laughter.
In 2021, in Tokyo, Hiroshi was trying out a virtual reality headset for the first time. Suddenly, the headset started playing an inappropriate video that had been recorded before. He didn’t know how to turn it off, which made the people around him laugh at his shocked reaction.
In 2022, in Paris, George, an elderly man, was trying to use an augmented reality app to see the stars from his balcony. Instead of going up, he slipped and fell on his neighbor who was standing below his house. Despite the pain, the situation was filled with laughter.
In 2022, in Dubai, Laila, a child, was playing an augmented reality game in a mall. She started running around trying to catch the character in the game, but she crashed into a glass door, and everyone in the mall was laughing out loud.
In 2023, in Miami, Carlos, a young man, was using a virtual reality headset in his home. Suddenly, he jumped in terror and kicked the wall with his foot, causing it to break. He kept laughing and apologizing to his family for what he did.
In 2023, in Berlin, at a tech event, Michael was testing out a new augmented reality cooking app. When he saw a pot about to boil in the game, he quickly rushed to pick it up from the heat, but he was working on a computer and spilled a cup of coffee on him instead.
In 2023, in Singapore, Kayla, a little girl, was playing an augmented reality game with her grandmother. When she saw a virtual dog, she started chasing it around the house so much that she bumped into a table. Her grandmother was laughing so hard.
In 2024, in Sydney, a group of teenagers were trying out a virtual reality game in a shopping mall. Suddenly, Liam started moving in a strange way, thinking he was flying in the air, but instead he was spinning around and fell to the ground.
In 2024, in New York, during a party to launch a new game, Ethan, a child, was trying out an augmented reality game. When a giant character appeared in the game, he started screaming and running away, and when he got out of the game, he kept laughing after realizing that it was all an act.
In 2024, in Melbourne, Bruce was trying out a virtual reality headset for the first time. He thought he was climbing a mountain, but he was standing on a table and fell off while trying to “hold on” to the edge.
In 2024, in Las Vegas, during a major technology event, Martha was trying on augmented reality glasses. She expected to see beautiful landscapes, but was surprised by funny cartoon images, making everyone around her laugh at her facial expression.
In 2024, in Hong Kong, Ken was playing a virtual reality game that involved escaping from zombies. When he saw the first zombie, he started screaming and running around, eventually crashing into a TV screen that was being shown in the venue, making everyone laugh.
In 2024, in Rome, during an augmented reality experience for a group of tourists, Luca was watching a historical scene at the Colosseum. But he got so immersed in the experience that he started talking loudly as if he were in the middle of a battle, causing the tour guide to laugh at his exaggerated enthusiasm.
In 2024, in Toronto, during a virtual reality demonstration at a school, Jack was playing a game and thought he could fly. He started flapping his arms and jumping off a chair, but he fell to the ground, and all his classmates were laughing.
In 2024, in Cape Town, Alex was trying out a new virtual reality experience that involved swimming with sharks. When the first shark appeared, he started screaming loudly and quickly took off his goggles, laughing to himself as he realized it was just an illusion.
Finally, in 2024, in Rio de Janeiro, a group of friends were trying out a virtual reality game. Roberto thought he was in a car race, and started doing strange movements as if he was driving seriously, which made him go out of the game and fall on his friend who was sitting next to him.
Usage recommendations
If you’re using VR for the first time, try starting with simple games and apps to get familiar with the technology before moving on to more complex experiences. Make sure your surroundings are clear of any obstacles that could cause you to fall or get injured, as having a clear space will help you move around safely. Prolonged use of VR can also cause eye strain and dizziness, so try to take regular breaks to avoid these symptoms.
Check the condition of your VR glasses or any device you are using, and make sure it is not broken or damaged before using it. Augmented and virtual reality are not just for entertainment; you can use educational apps to learn new things in innovative ways. The VR experience will be much better if you use high-quality headphones that provide clear and rich surround sound.
If you are using a portable VR device, make sure the battery is fully charged to avoid the experience being interrupted suddenly. Experiencing VR games with friends makes the experience more enjoyable. Clean the lenses of your VR headset regularly to ensure the image is clear and free of blur.
Only use apps from trusted sources to protect your device and data from potential risks. You can use VR to explore new cultures and visit historical sites without having to travel. Avoid wearing VR headsets for too long to keep your eyes healthy. In brightly lit areas, try to dim the lighting for a more realistic experience and less strain on your eyes.
Augmented reality gives you the opportunity to see art in new ways, try visiting digital art galleries. Make sure you are far enough away from your surroundings when playing VR games that require movement. If you feel dizzy or tired from movement in VR, try to reduce movement or choose games that rely on static experiences.
If you plan to use VR for extended periods of time, invest in a high-quality device to enhance your experience. There are augmented reality apps that help with exercise and yoga, try them out to stay fit in innovative ways. As with any new technology, it’s important to balance your VR usage and avoid letting the technology take over your life.
Conclusion
Augmented reality is a powerful tool that combines the real and virtual worlds, offering new and useful experiences. However, we must approach this technology with caution, taking into account its potential drawbacks. It is essential to understand how AR can serve our lives without negatively affecting our balance between reality and technology. Therefore, we must take advantage of the potential of AR, while paying attention to its challenges to ensure that we get the most out of this technology.