Introduction

Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are two technologies that have the potential to revolutionize the way businesses operate and engage with their customers. Both technologies have unique characteristics and capabilities that make them suitable for different enterprise applications. In this article, we will compare the use of AR and VR in the VIEWAR Ecosystem and explore their potential uses for enterprises.

What is Augmented Reality?

AR involves the overlay of digital content on the real world, while VR involves the creation of a completely immersive digital environment. As you will see from this post, there are different use cases for both technologies. AR can be experienced through devices such as smartphones and tablets, while VR requires specialized hardware such as headsets or gloves. 

With Industry 4.0 incorporating so many advanced technologies, a digital twin is core to avoiding information overload and keeping the innovative engine running. It is a 3D model of your manufacturing facility, mirroring every aspect of it and making it digitally available. But what is the use case for virtual reality, if augmented reality is currently the trend? Continue reading to find out more.

Augmented Reality or Virtual Reality?

One of the key differences between AR and VR is the level of immersion:

• Augmented Reality has a wide range of potential enterprise applications which is why it is our focus within the VIEWAR Ecosystem.. It can be used to provide real-time information and guidance to workers on the factory floor, or to improve process optimization of your workforce. VIEWAR allows users to interact with digital content while still being aware of their physical surroundings. This makes our software suitable for tasks that require a degree of interaction with the real world.  It can also be used to streamline maintenance and repair tasks by providing workers with visual instructions and real-time information.
  
• Virtual reality is often used for training and simulation purposes, as it allows users to practice tasks and procedures in a safe and controlled environment. Especially in high-risk-environments like pharmaceutical production facilities, you want to make it possible to train your workforce from anywhere. VIEWAR  can be used to create immersive experiences, such as virtual reality demonstrations or virtual tours of your production facility. VR fully immerses users in a digital environment, making it ideal for training complex tasks in simulation.

AR or VR – What should you choose?

With both technologies at your fingertips, you might want to choose the one that gives you the most benefits for your own use case. Augmented reality tends to be more accessible and affordable than virtual reality, but the cost of implementing AR or VR will depend on the specific requirements of the enterprise and the scale of deployment. With the VIEWAR Ecosystem, both AR and VR have the potential to revolutionize the way production facilities operate and engage with their customers. While AR is more suitable for tasks that require interaction with the real world, VR is ideal if you want to train your workforce from anywhere in the world. The choice between AR and VR will depend on the specific needs and goals of the enterprise.