Talking Nerdy: Blockchain, Mixed Reality, & Web3 (Part 2)
Released: 2-12-2024
Released: 2-12-2024
TL;DR: Mixed Reality (MR) combines Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) to blend digital information with the physical world and create fully immersive environments. AR adds digital layers to our real-world experiences, enhancing our perceptions with additional information or virtual objects. VR, on the other hand, transports users to entirely virtual spaces for immersive experiences. These technologies are revolutionizing various sectors, including education, healthcare, design, manufacturing, and marketing, by offering innovative solutions for training, collaboration, marketing, and customer engagement. Mixed Reality is setting the stage for a future where digital and physical realities are seamlessly integrated, transforming how we interact with our surroundings and each other.
"My therapist warned me about spending too much time in mixed reality, but honestly, my virtual wife judges me way less than my real one."
Imagine a world where contracts execute themselves, supply chains whisper their secrets on a tamper-proof ledger, and every transaction is etched in digital stone. That's the beauty of blockchain. No more middlemen, no more blurry processes, just pure, transparent trust woven into the fabric of your business. This isn't just about cutting costs; it's about building unshakeable customer confidence. Think frictionless payments, automated logistics, and a supply chain so transparent, you could track an avocado from orchard to guacamole bowl.
Get ready to blur the lines between the real and the virtual. Mixed Reality – the harmonious marriage of Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality – is about superimposing digital information onto the physical world, or transporting us into whole new virtual universes. Imagine product demos conducted in your living room, training simulations so real you can smell the virtual oil, or collaborative meetings held anywhere in the world, rendered in stunning 3D. This is the future of work, learning, and even shopping – one where physical and digital seamlessly blend to create experiences as real as, well, reality itself.
While ushering in the age of the empowered user, Web3 is all about decentralization. With the power shifting from corporate giants to communities and individuals. This means owning your data, participating in open-source governance through blockchain, and even shaping the future of the internet itself through digital assets like NFTs. For businesses, this translates to deeper engagement, loyal communities built on shared ownership, and innovative revenue models beyond the control of centralized platforms.
The fundamental state of existence where we live and breath. According to Morpheus, this is the "Welcome to the real world" reality. It includes everything we can directly experience through our senses: the warmth of the sun, the sound of laughter, the taste of a delicious pizza, etc.
A layer of digital information seamlessly integrated into the real world, enriching it with additional details and experiences. Imagine seeing directions overlaid on your windshield, historical information popping up as you explore a landmark, or virtual furniture appearing in your living room when viewed through your phone. AR enhances and expands our perception of the physical world.
A completely immersive (75% or more), computer-generated environment that replaces our perception of the real world. VR transports you to new worlds, whether exploring the depths of the ocean, soaring through space, or battling dragons in a fantasy realm. It's a powerful tool for entertainment, education, and even training, where you can interact with and learn from simulated scenarios.
Let's put these on a visual scale and see how they stack up. You can see Augmented Reality is much closer to the Real World than Virtual Reality. It will make more sense when we discuss some examples of Augemented Reality and their types so let's do that real quick.
This classic approach uses physical markers (images, QR codes) that the AR system recognizes to trigger digital content. Examples include:
Product visualization apps where scanning a product code overlays 3D models on your device.
Educational AR experiences where scanning pictures in textbooks brings characters or animations to life.
This advanced approach doesn't need physical markers, relying on sensors and algorithms to understand the real world. Examples include:
Location-based AR games like Pokémon Go, where virtual creatures appear based on your GPS location.
Facial recognition AR filters that add funny elements or makeup virtually on your face like Snapchat.
This uses projectors to overlay digital content onto physical surfaces. Examples include:
Interactive museum exhibits where projections add animations or information to physical artifacts.
Retail displays where products come alive with augmented information when approached. This is starting to be used in airports to display your personal itinerary using Facial Recognition.
Now, on the other end of the spectrum is Virtual Reality. There are multiple types here as well but you can see they are based on the level of engagement in the virtual world vs the real world. The type of equipment that is used for each one also differs so we will go into that too.
This refers to experiences that involve computer-generated elements but don't fully immerse you. Think of your traditional video games or simulations on a computer screen. It differs from AR since someone interacts with a virtual world instead of a digital component on top of the real world.
This type offers a partial virtual experience, allowing you to see and interact with a virtual environment but still partially perceive the real world around you. Examples include 360° videos viewed through a headset or phone, and VR arcades/simulations with tracked controllers but open environments. Flight simulation, shown above, is huge here; same with semi-truck driving training or other heavy machinery.
This type completely replaces your perception of the real world with a virtual environment. You wear a headset that blocks out your surroundings and tracks your head movements, creating a convincing sense of presence in the virtual world. Examples include high-end gaming headsets and VR experiences designed for training or simulations. Some equipment used here is the Microsoft Halolens, Meta Quest, or the new Apple Vision Pro.
I'm sure you're wondering how these applications are developed; well look no further. Luckily there are software packages that assist with creation and rendering to a finished product. I'll name a few to get you started, but there are plenty more if you want to go down the rabbit hole:
ARKit (iOS): Apple's framework for building AR experiences on iOS devices. Offers robust tracking and features like face and object recognition.
ARCore (Android): Google's equivalent for Android devices, featuring similar capabilities to ARKit.
Unity: A popular game engine with extensive AR/VR development tools and a large community. Supports ARKit, ARCore, and other platforms.
Unreal Engine: Another powerful game engine offering support for AR/VR development and integration with AR platforms like ARKit and ARCore.
Blender: While primarily a 3D modeling software, Blender offers VR sculpting and scene creation tools, useful for artistic and interactive VR experiences.
Now for the good stuff!!! How can businesses use these solutions? Let's check out a few use cases.
Training and Support:
Interactive training manuals: Overlaying step-by-step instructions on real equipment helps technicians learn and troubleshoot faster. Technical schools, Universities, and companies can all accelerate training and onboarding using this method.
Remote expert assistance: AR allows experts to guide on-site personnel through complex tasks in real-time, even if they're miles away. This is currently done with a camera which gives a limited view to the remote party, but now they can have access to a virtual clone of the issue right in front of them enabling the assistance to be much more efficient.
Safety simulations: Employees can safely experience risky scenarios in AR and VR, practicing responses and improving preparedness. Think how effective this is with military, law enforcement, or first responder type scenarios.
Design and Manufacturing:
3D product visualization: Designers can see and test prototypes virtually before physical production, saving time and money. If you've seen "Iron Man", then that is a great example of how this could be used in the real or virtual world.
Remote collaboration: Teams can collaborate on complex designs in real-time, regardless of location, using shared AR models. What started as shared document collaboration is now shared 3D models like they are in front of you.
Quality control: Overlaying inspection checklists on products ensures thorough and efficient quality checks. If you've read my AI and Blockchain chronicles and trainings, imagine the combination of capabilities here.
Maintenance and Repair:
Augmented schematics: Technicians can view equipment manuals and instructions overlaid on the actual machinery for faster repairs. Volkswagen is using this technology to assist technicians while engine troubleshooting.
Predictive maintenance: AR-powered sensors can identify potential issues in equipment before they occur, preventing downtime. Simple use case of the combination of IoT data and AR. Imagine looking at a piece of machinery and having AR pinpoint exactly where the issue is and troubleshooting steps automatically.
Remote diagnostics: Experts can troubleshoot issues remotely by guiding technicians through augmented schematics on-site. If you've ever remotely troubleshooted a technical issue with a parent, you know this pain.
Marketing and Sales:
Virtual product try-on: Customers can see how clothes, furniture, or other products would look in their own environment before buying. The nextgen try before you buy, if you will.
Interactive marketing campaigns: AR experiences can engage customers and showcase products in new and exciting ways. The further the immersion, the better chance of sale.
Enhanced product information: Overlaying data and specifications on physical products creates a more informative and interactive experience.
Logistics and Supply Chain:
Warehouse navigation: AR guides workers to items within the warehouse, improving picking and inventory management. This interactive map solution is also being used in malls, hospitals, universities, and other large campus environments.
Package tracking and visualization: Augmented information on packages can improve delivery efficiency and transparency.
Remote inspections and audits: AR-enabled inspections can save time and resources compared to traditional methods.
In conclusion, the integration of Mixed Reality, encompassing both Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR), represents a transformative shift in how we interact with the world around us. By blending digital enhancements with our physical environment, AR enriches our sensory experiences, making information more accessible and interactions more engaging. From historical insights overlaid on landmarks to virtual furniture in our living rooms, AR applications are expanding our realities in subtle but profound ways. On the other hand, VR offers a complete immersion into alternate universes, providing experiences and training opportunities that were previously unimaginable or highly invasive. Whether it's exploring the ocean depths, soaring through space, or experiencing high-stakes simulations, VR transports us beyond the constraints of physical reality.
These technologies are not just reshaping entertainment and personal experiences; they're revolutionizing industries. In fields like education, healthcare, design, manufacturing, and logistics, AR and VR are enhancing training, collaboration, and operational efficiencies. Interactive training manuals, remote expert assistance, and predictive maintenance are just a few examples of how mixed reality solutions are being deployed to solve real-world problems, streamline processes, and enhance decision-making. Moreover, the marketing and sales sectors are leveraging these technologies to create more immersive and personalized customer experiences, from virtual product try-ons to interactive campaigns.
As we continue to explore and innovate within these virtual landscapes, the boundaries between the digital and physical worlds will become increasingly blurred. The future of mixed reality promises not only more immersive and engaging experiences but also practical applications that could revolutionize how we live, work, and play. The potential of mixed reality is vast, offering a new dimension of interaction and understanding in our increasingly digital world.