Extended reality

Not to be confused with Computer-mediated reality.

Extended reality (XR) is an umbrella term to refer to augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR).^[1][2] The technology is intended to combine or mirror the physical world with a "digital twin world" able to interact with it,^[3][4] giving users an immersive experience by being in a virtual or augmented environment.

Types of extended reality

From top to bottom: Augmented reality through a handheld device, augmented reality through a headset, and virtual reality

The first usage of the term "extended reality" was in reference to the use of technology to extrapolate (extend) beyond typical human perception, e.g. allowing us to see sound waves, radio waves, and otherwise invisible phenomena.^[5]

XR is rapidly growing beyond an academic discipline, and is now having real-world impact in medicine,^[6][7] architecture,^[8] education,^[9] industry,^[10] and is being applied in a wide range of areas such as entertainment, cinema, marketing, real estate, manufacturing,^[11] education, maintenance^[12] and remote work.^[13] Extended reality has the ability to be used for joint effort in the workplace, training, educational purposes, therapeutic treatments, and data exploration and analysis.

Extended reality works by using visual data acquisition that is either accessed locally or shared and transfers over a network and to the human senses. By enabling real-time responses in a virtual stimulus these devices create customized experiences.

Extended Reality can be applied not only to humans as a subject, but also to technology as a subject, where the subject (whether human or technology) can have its sensory capacity extended by placing it in a closed feedback loop. This form of Extended Intelligence is called veillametrics.^[14][15]

In 2018 the BBC launched a research project to capture and document the barriers present in extended reality environments.^[16]

The International Institute of MetaNumismatics (INIMEN) studies the applications of extended reality technologies in numismatic research, with a dedicated department.^[17]

See also

• Computer-mediated reality – Ability to manipulate one's perception of reality through the use of a computer
• Head-mounted display – Type of display device
• Immersion (virtual reality) – Perception of being physically present in a non-physical world
• Metaverse – Collective three-dimensional virtual shared space
• OpenXR – Standard for access to virtual reality and augmented reality platforms and devices
• Reality–virtuality continuum – Mixed reality and virtual relatity
• Smartglasses – Wearable computer glasses
• Spatial computing – Computing paradigm emphasizing 3D spatial interaction with technology
• Wearable computer – Small computing device worn on the body
• WebXR – Experimental JavaScript API for augmented/virtual reality devices