Extended reality (XR) is the umbrella term that covers virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), mixed reality (MR), and other immersive technologies to be developed. These are technologies that merge the physical and digital worlds. There are many practical applications for XR, and it's expected to grow exponentially in the next five years.

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What Is XR
Technology?
A Simple Explanation

2. © 2019 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
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Imagine what it might be like to live and work in our world in 2030 and beyond.
Perhaps, thanks to advancements in extended reality (XR), an umbrella term used to
describe immersive technologies that can merge the physical and virtual worlds, you
might be able to shop for a new home anywhere in the world as if you were actually on-
site or head to lunch in some faraway land. By 2022, the XR market is expected to reach
$209 billion, which is eight times what it is today. This tremendous growth could mean
the realities of our 2030 lives are beyond our imagination’s ability to grasp.
What Is Extended Reality Technology?
A Simple Explanation For Anyone

3. © 2019 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
What Is Extended Reality (XR)?
XR is an emerging umbrella term for all the immersive technologies.
The ones we already have today—augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and mixed
reality (MR) plus those that are still to be created. All immersive technologies extend the
reality we experience by either blending the virtual and “real” worlds or by creating a fully
immersive experience.
Recent research revealed that more than 60% of respondents believed XR will be
mainstream in the next five years.
To get a better picture of XR, let’s review each of the existing technologies that exist
today.

4. © 2019 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
What Is Extended Reality (XR)?
In augmented reality, virtual information and objects are overlaid on the
real world. This experience enhances the real world with digital details
such as images, text, and animation. You can access the experience
through AR glasses or via screens, tablets, and smartphones. This means
users are not isolated from the real world and can still interact and see
what’s going on in front of them. The most well-known examples of AR
are the Pokémon GO game that overlays digital creatures onto the real
world or Snapchat filters that put digital objects such as hats or glasses
onto your head.
Augmented Reality (AR)

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What Is Extended Reality (XR)?
In contrast to augmented reality, in a virtual reality experience, users are
fully immersed in a simulated digital environment. Individuals must put
on a VR headset or head-mounted display to get a 360 -degree view of
an artificial world that fools their brain into believing they are, e.g.,
walking on the moon, swimming under the ocean or stepped into
whatever new world the VR developers created. The gaming and
entertainment industry were early adopters of this technology; however,
companies in several industries such as healthcare, construction,
engineering, the military, and more are finding VR to be very useful.
Virtual Reality (VR)

6. © 2019 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
What Is Extended Reality (XR)?
In mixed reality, digital and real-world objects co-exist and can interact
with one another in real-time. This is the latest immersive technology and
is sometimes referred to as hybrid reality. It requires an MR headset and
a lot more processing power than VR or AR. Microsoft's HoloLens is a
great example that, e.g., allows you to place digital objects into the room
you are standing in and give you the ability to spin it around or interact
with the digital object in any way possible. Companies are exploring ways
they can put mixed reality to work to solve problems, support initiatives,
and make their businesses better.
Mixed Reality (MR)

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Extended Reality Applications for Business
There are many practical applications of XR. Here are a few:
• Retail: XR gives customers the ability to try before they buy. Watch manufacturer Rolex
has an AR app that allows you to try on watches on your actual wrist, and furniture
company IKEA gives customers the ability to place furniture items into their home via
their smartphone.
• Training: Especially in life-and-death circumstances, XR can provide training tools that
are hyper-realistic that will help soldiers, healthcare professionals, pilots/astronauts,
chemists, and more figure out solutions to problems or learn how to respond to
dangerous circumstances without putting their lives or anyone else's at risk.
• Remote Work: Workers can connect to the home office or with professionals located
around the world in a way that makes both sides feel like they are in the same room.

8. © 2019 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
Extended Reality Applications for Business
• Marketing: The possibilities to engage with prospective customers and consumers
through XR will have marketing professionals pondering all the potential of using XR to
their company’s advantage.
• Real Estate: Finding buyers or tenants might be easier if individuals can “walk through”
spaces to decide if they want it even when they are in some other location.
• Entertainment: As an early adopter, the entertainment industry will continue to find
new ways of utilizing immersive technologies.

9. © 2019 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
Challenges of XR
Those developing XR technologies are battling with some of the challenges to mainstream
adoption. First, XR technologies collect and process huge amounts of very detailed and
personal data about what you do, what you look at, and even your emotions at any given
time, which has to be protected.
In addition, the cost of implementing the technology needs to come down; otherwise,
many companies will be unable to invest in it. It is essential that the wearable devices that
allow a full XR experience are fashionable and comfortable as well as always connected,
intelligent, and immersive. There are significant technical and hardware issues to solve that
include but are not limited to the display, power and thermal, motion tracking,
connectivity and common illumination—where virtual objects in a real world are
indistinguishable from real objects especially as lighting shifts.
As each day passes, we are one step closer to solving these issues so that we will see many
more mainstream applications of all XR technologies over the coming years.

10. © 2017 Bernard Marr , Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
© 2018 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
Bernard Marr is an internationally best-selling author, popular keynote speaker, futurist, and a
strategic business & technology advisor to governments and companies. He helps
organisations improve their business performance, use data more intelligently, and
understand the implications of new technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data,
blockchains, and the Internet of Things.
LinkedIn has ranked Bernard as one of the world’s top 5 business influencers. He is a frequent
contributor to the World Economic Forum and writes a regular column for Forbes. Every day
Bernard actively engages his 1.5 million social media followers and shares content that
reaches millions of readers.
Visit The
Website
© 2017 Bernard Marr , Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
© 2019 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
Bernard Marr is an internationally best-selling author, popular keynote speaker, futurist, and a
strategic business & technology advisor to governments and companies. He helps
organisations improve their business performance, use data more intelligently, and
understand the implications of new technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data,
blockchains, and the Internet of Things.
LinkedIn has ranked Bernard as one of the world’s top 5 business influencers. He is a frequent
contributor to the World Economic Forum and writes a regular column for Forbes. Every day
Bernard actively engages his 1.5 million social media followers and shares content that
reaches millions of readers.
Visit The
Website

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