Mixed Reality: Definition, characteristics and examples.

First came central data processing systems, then personal computers, then smartphones. Now, we are at the beginning of the new wave of computer science: Mixed Reality Their goal? To make the most powerful computers fit in the temple of a pair of glasses and, what's more, screens are no longer needed - welcome to the new human-machine interaction! But where does this new wave of technology come from? The Mixed Reality is the immersive technology that seeks to combine in the same device the interaction of Virtual Reality with the visual power of Augmented Reality. That is to say, to unite the best of both technologies in one to merge the real world with the virtual world. Where user interaction with both worlds at the same time and in real time are the key points provided by this new technology. The concept of Mixed Reality first appeared in 1994 thanks to Paul Milgram and Fumio Kishino. Both defined Mixed Reality as a technology that allowed at the same time: introducing a real object\/person into the virtual world and introduce a virtual object\/person into the real world.

Mixed Reality is just one of the immersive solutions encompassed within the Extended Reality . A series of technologies to which Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality also belong. Their origins and software are different, but their objective is similar: eliminating the barriers between the real and the virtual . The Virtual Reality could be defined as the technology capable of immersing us in totally artificial 3D alternative worlds. In addition, the Virtual Reality has a thriving future . The Augmented Reality On the other hand, rather than transporting users to other virtual worlds, it allows "augmenting" the real world thanks to the superimposition of digital elements that complement and enrich it, visible to users through the screens of mobile devices. You may be interested in→ Differences between Augmented Reality vs. Virtual Reality Finally, the Mixed Reality is the result of the combination of the two previous technologies, where users can interact with these digital elements superimposed on the physical world - or physical elements superimposed on the virtual world. Discover our Mixed Reality service for companies .

Having seen what the differences are between the three 'realities' of Extended Reality, let's see in more detail some of the characteristics that make Mixed Reality unique.

• Fusión entre el mundo físico y el mundo virtual. Mientras que la Realidad Aumentada permite que elementos virtuales sean visibles en el mundo real, la Realidad Mixta va un paso más allá, permitiendo la interacción del usuario con estos elementos y también la interacción de estos objetos virtuales con el entorno. Donde ya no simplemente los ves, sino que sientes que los elementos virtuales forman parte del entorno real.
• Dispositivos. Como el resto de tecnologías inmersivas de la Realidad Extendida, la Realidad Mixta necesita un dispositivo para generar la interacción. En concreto, la Realidad Mixta necesita de un casco o set de gafas que permita ver el mundo real y virtual con el máximo nivel de detalle.
• En desarrollo. Sin duda, una característica que marca a la Realidad Mixta es que es una tecnología en desarrollo. De las tres tecnologías inmersivas de la Realidad Extendida, la Realidad Mixta es la más reciente de todas y sus experiencias, proyectos y dispositivos todavía no han llegado al gran público. No obstante, es la tecnología en la que cada vez más empresas están destinando sus recursos de desarrollo.

Among the main advantages that the Mixed Reality technology offers:

• Eliminar los límites físicos. La Realidad Mixta permite visualizar e interactuar con elementos virtuales, elementos del pasado, del futuro o de otros mundos, permitiéndonos soñar y ver cosas como nunca antes hemos visto.
• Polivalente. Aunque todavía está en vías de desarrollo y perfeccionamiento, se sabe que la Realidad Mixta podría impactar a un gran número de campos y sectores gracias a su versatilidad.
• Nuevos productos. El desarrollo de la Realidad Mixta impulsa el lanzamiento de nuevos productos comerciales y servicios, creando nuevos mercados y potenciando los existentes con nuevas propuestas de marketing o experiencias en sectores como la educación, el turismo o la salud.
• Facilita la información. La Realidad Mixta hace que el aprendizaje sea una tarea más llamativa, atractiva y entretenida al permitir al alumno sumergirse en la materia, teniendo libertad para explorar por sí mismo y potenciando el conocimiento tácito de “aprender haciendo”.

However, Mixed Reality technology is still in the early stages of development, so there are still a few disadvantages .

• Tecnología experimental. La Realidad Mixta está en fase de desarrollo. Cuenta con algunos experimentos y experiencias desarrolladas, no obstante su implementación todavía se da en pequeños círculos tecnológicos e industriales. Aunque se espera que en los próximos años llegue al gran público.
• Alto precio. Al estar en fase experimental, tanto la tecnología como los dispositivos que la hacen posible tienen un alto precio de venta. Una de sus principales líneas de acción es la reducción de los costes para hacer la tecnología más accesible.
• Requisitos técnicos. La fusión entre el mundo real y el virtual en el que se basa la Realidad Mixta requiere un hardware potente que reduzca errores y ralentizaciones, lo que supone un importante coste.
• Desconocimiento. No hay muchas personas ajenas al sector que conozcan esta tecnología y todas sus posibilidades. Es por ello que al desarrollar experiencias de Realidad Mixta es necesario explicar a los usuarios en qué consiste esta tecnología y qué experiencia van a vivir. Es decir, realizar una labor didáctica y de acercamiento de la Realidad Mixta.

Mixed Reality is a revolutionary technology that will shape the way we experience the digital world. Thanks to its ability to merge the real and virtual worlds, it gives us the possibility of new and exciting technological experiences. In this context, the Mixed Reality applications have emerged for a wide range of sectors and industries, offering amazing potential to enrich our lives and revolutionize the way businesses operate. We will now review some of the applications proposed, discovering how Mixed Reality is going to revolutionize the different sectors.

Application in the education sector

Mixed Reality makes that, more than ever, let's put into practice the learning by doing (learning by doing) turning the way we are used to learning upside down. The immersion offered by this technology opens up a whole new range of educational experiences that facilitate knowledge retention and increase students' interest. Instead of viewing photographs on the projectors, three-dimensional models of outer space, parts of the body, historical moments or even the seabed can be shown as if they were in the classroom itself. All this without losing touch with reality This technology also breaks the barriers of distance. This technology also breaks the barriers of distance, being able to attend in first person to trainings anywhere in the world through the Mixed Reality glasses, sharing the classroom with students from all over the world.

Application in Marketing and Advertising

Mixed Reality, with its fusion of the real world with the virtual world, is becoming a new showcase and interaction channel for companies . All thanks to its immediacy, personalization and ability to excite and surprise the audience. All of these features open up a new range of possibilities for the engagement and brand positioning, by creating new interactive and gamified experiences within the Interactive Product Content Management (IPCM) A new concept that has already emerged in the world of marketing and advertising, with Mixed Reality as one of its main exponents.

Retail and e-commerce application

In the retail and e-commerce sector, these immersive technologies offer the possibility of generating more innovative and interconnected in both the digital world and the real world. Through Mixed Reality, physical stores are being transformed with new and surprising phygita experiences l which comprise virtual elements such as additional information or model passes in real time and from the physical store itself. On the other hand, Mixed Reality gives the opportunity for e-commerce to take the shopping experience beyond the screens. Allowing users to interact with the products as if they were already in their possession. For example, remodeling their rooms with 3D versions of the furniture, being able to change the color and rotate them to adapt them to their own space. This is a real innovation and improvement in the shopping experience.

Application in the Industry 4.0 sector.

The inclusion of Mixed Reality within industrial companies represents a revolution in control, training, error correction and decision making with 3D simulations and prototypes developed with the highest level of detail. Thanks to the union of this immersive technology with the latest innovations of the I nternet of Things (IoT), the ultimate communication human-machine The real-time, accurate and precise display is a reality by superimposing notifications, texts, diagrams and videos on top of the machinery. Freeing up the hands of professionals and allowing them, through the Mixed Reality glasses, always have at their disposal updated information in real time. It is also an essential technology for the training of industrial professionals with much more advanced training and simulators. accurate and realistic. Another advantage is the ability of the Mixed Reality to eliminating barriers between the digital and the real, reducing the need for physical presence in offices. Creating experiences between physical and virtual where to socialize and work together both in crowded events and private meetings. All in first person and in multi-user format, without losing the presence in the real world.

Applications in the health sector

Technology and medicine have never been more interrelated. Now, technological advances applied to the healthcare sector are focused on Mixed Reality, which represents a new revolution for different healthcare fields. Highlights the training of health professionals The development of three-dimensional simulations in which to practice that do not affect the real world. Or the possibility of studying 3D models of human anatomy more easily and accurately. A precision that can also be transferred to surgical operations, with the possibility of obtain instant information while the patient is being operated on by connecting all the devices in the room to the Mixed Reality glasses.

Application in the entertainment sector

Mixed Reality, applied to cinema, big shows, theme parks, sporting events and video games, takes the immersion of the audience to its maximum expression. From being mere spectators to being part of the action. Moving from storytelling to storyliving . Mixed Reality changes the way we view in-person events and shows, by accessing new angles and viewing additional overlay information . Enjoying a complete sensory experience by having special effects and animations to develop live shows. Theme parks will also feature Mixed Reality technology to immerse attendees in more elaborate and fantastical worlds. And even the animated characters will cross the digital border interacting with the real world as if they were part of it.

One of the first studies on Mixed Reality was born 10 years ago at the University of Illinois (USA). A group of scientists led by Alfred Hubli combined two different realities in two pendulums: one from the real world and the other from the virtual world. To each of them they sent information about the motor that was moving the other pendulum in the other reality. The result? Both pendulums recognized each other and, more importantly, synchronized their movements. More recent examples can be found in the experiences that have arisen through the Microsoft's Mixed Reality glasses, the well-known Hololens. Although its implementation has been mostly in the industrial area, Hololens glasses are the most recognizable Mixed Reality glasses. With these glasses you can see virtual models in a physical space, make immersive video calls showing the same plans and other elements to all users, hold classes with students from all over the world as if they were in the same classroom... The experiences of Mixed Reality that these glasses offer transform and will transform in the future from Industry 4.0 to marketing to education. Also based on this same technology are the Apple Vision Pro where, rather than Mixed Reality, Apple calls spatial computing the ability to merge the real world with the virtual world. The company proposes this technology as the next step in computers, where screens would no longer be needed and all the power, performance, memory and capacity of the device would be in a single device. same element: the glasses . Its approaches bring Vision Pro closer to its implementation within the audiovisual and entertainment world and the business world, but above all, to the users themselves to enjoy their leisure and free time.

Mixed Reality projects are going to play an increasingly important role in our society and in the engagement with the companies, revolutionizing the way we interact with the digital world and opening up a range of creative and innovative possibilities. In short, since Imascono we know that the experiences of Mixed Reality are a window to a world of infinite possibilities. Merging the real world with the virtual world, these experiences defy the limits of imagination transforming various fields, sectors and campaigns to enhance the relationship between the brand and the users. Discover n ur Mixed Reality service . ¡ Contact us at !