What are the differences between Augmented Reality and Mediated Reality?

[quantumadmin]

Augmented Reality (AR) and Mediated Reality are related concepts that involve the integration of digital information and the real world. However, they have distinct characteristics and purposes. Here's a breakdown of the differences between the two:

Augmented Reality (AR):

Definition: AR refers to the technology that overlays digital content, such as images, videos, or 3D objects, onto the real-world environment in real-time. The goal of AR is to enhance or augment the user's perception of the physical world by adding digital elements.

Interaction: In AR, users interact with both the real world and the digital elements. The digital content is typically anchored to specific objects, markers, or locations in the real world, and users can interact with and manipulate these digital objects.

Example: A common example of AR is the use of smartphone apps to display virtual objects or information on top of the camera feed. For instance, pointing your smartphone camera at a printed advertisement and seeing an animated character pop up on the screen is an AR experience.

Main Focus: The main focus of AR is to enhance the real world with digital information, often improving understanding, entertainment, navigation, or interaction.

Mediated Reality:

Definition: Mediated Reality is a broader concept that encompasses both the real-world environment and digital content, but it emphasizes the dynamic relationship between the two. Mediated Reality aims to alter or mediate the user's perception of reality by actively modifying the sensory input.

Interaction: Unlike AR, where digital content is overlaid on the real world, Mediated Reality involves more complex manipulation of sensory information. It may include altering the perception of the environment through sensory filters, enhancements, or modifications.

Example: A simple example of Mediated Reality is wearing tinted glasses that change the color of your surroundings. More advanced examples might involve changing the lighting or ambiance of a room using digital technology to evoke a specific mood or atmosphere.

Main Focus: The main focus of Mediated Reality is to manipulate the user's sensory input in a way that alters their perception of reality, often with artistic, expressive, or experimental intentions.

In summary, Augmented Reality specifically involves the overlay of digital content onto the real world to enhance user experiences, while Mediated Reality is a broader concept that encompasses altering sensory perception to modify the user's experience of reality. Augmented Reality is a subset of Mediated Reality, with the key distinction being the extent to which digital content is integrated with the real world and the level of user interaction with that content.