In the current digital era, there is a convergence and transformation occurring between the virtual and physical realms, reshaping various industries. Extended Reality (XR) is providing novel avenues for engaging with products and services, enhancing customer involvement and loyalty. It is widely acknowledged that technology has the capability to revolutionize our actions in the physical world. What was previously depicted as imaginative fiction in literature and film is now coming to fruition. The XR solutions being crafted hold the promise of delivering the same immersive encounters as those portrayed in beloved science fiction narratives.

What is Extended Reality (XR)?

Extended Reality, also known as XR, encompasses Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR) and Mixed Reality (MR). Essentially, Extended Reality involves the utilization of immersive technologies to blend physical and virtual environments, offering an extended experience beyond traditional reality boundaries.

• Virtual Reality immerses users in a completely different digital world, replacing the real world environment entirely. This experience can be accessed through VR-headsets or head-mounted displays, which offer a 360° view of the virtual world.
• AR technology seamlessly integrates digital elements into the user's physical surroundings, enriching the real-world experience with interactive elements like images, text, and animations. This cutting-edge technology is accessible through a variety of devices, including AR glasses, tablets, and smartphones.

• Mixed Reality seamlessly merges the digital and physical realms, allowing them to coexist and interact in real-time within a single environment. This immersive experience is made possible through the use of MR-headsets.

How XR is Revolutionizing Various Industries

• The retail industry has seen impressive results from incorporating XR technology. For example, Rolex, a renowned watch brand, has successfully utilized AR to allow customers to virtually try on watches before making a purchase. This innovative approach not only enhances the customer experience but also helps to attract new clients and reduce return rates in e-commerce.
• The healthcare industry offers numerous opportunities for the integration of XR technology. These tools can be utilized to help patients manage pain, develop training modules, and even aid in the diagnostic process. The greatest advantages of using XR solutions are seen in the Education & Training realm. NASA is currently engaged in trials with XR technology to educate its employees in the procedures of repairing and maintaining space stations. 
• The marketing industry is significantly impacted by XR technology. Cutting-edge immersive marketing strategies enable customers to experience products and services in a virtual setting.
• Real estate XR solutions enable agents to offer potential buyers virtual tours of properties, allowing them to explore homes without visiting in person. This technology allows individuals to tour multiple locations within a few hours and determine which ones warrant an in-person visit.

How does XR Work?

XR utilizes the device’s CPU, camera, and software to manipulate the viewer's perception of their surroundings. The software leverages the CPU to analyze images captured by the camera, producing a hybrid digital environment for user interaction blending elements from the real and virtual worlds.

Real-world data input

XR technology utilizes Inertial Measurement Units (IMU) consisting of accelerometers, gyroscope sensors, and an embedded magnetometer. The information gathered by these components is used to calculate the user's drift and movement. By incorporating optical detection with computer vision algorithms, XR solutions allow for Six degrees of freedom movement tracking.

Data Processing and Image Generation

High-performance CPUs are essential for swiftly processing data gathered from IMUs. In advanced setups, multiple core GPUs are utilized for both calculations and graphic tasks. The audio output for the immersive XR environment is based on spatialized audio and the ambisonics sound format, enhancing the overall realism of the experience.

Output

Once barrel distortion is corrected, it becomes feasible to display separate views to each of the eyes. Nevertheless, certain fields of view that are typically perceived by our eyes are absent. This deficiency can be rectified by utilizing lenses to implement the pincushion distortion effect. Subsequently, the interplay of barrel distortion/compression and pincushion distortion/decompression negates each other, resulting in a more authentic peripheral image. Ultimately, XR technology leverages Bluetooth for transmitting sensory tracking data to the processing system.

Challenges in XR Technology

• One common challenge in XR technology is the Screen Door Effect, which occurs when fine spaces between pixels are visible due to the large scale of the image. This issue can be tackled through advancements in both lenses and screens.
• Motion-to-photon latency refers to the delay from the user's head movement to the display of the XR device mimicking the movement in the virtual world.
• Safety considerations should be taken into account when using an XR controller in the app, as users may inadvertently collide with objects resulting in potential harm. Additionally, there is a risk of tripping over obstacles while moving around, leading to loss of balance.

Evolution of Extended Reality (XR)

The ability to envision advanced XR systems is now within reach. XR technology goes beyond just visuals and audio, now incorporating haptics as well. Haptics utilizes touch-based technologies to enhance the virtual reality experience. Examples of haptic devices include the Logitech Rumblepad game controller, which provides onboard haptic feedback during gameplay. Various haptic devices are currently on the market, such as haptic gloves, six degrees of freedom haptic controllers, haptic suits, locomotion controllers, and haptic boots. Magic Leap’s Vive Pro represents a significant advancement in XR hardware technology. One notable feature is its light field photonic capability, enabling virtual objects in XR to appear at varying depths within the user's field of view. The inclusion of eye-tracking technology allows the device to determine the user's focal point, resulting in higher resolution in that specific area compared to the surrounding visual space. Furthermore, the implementation of Fixed Foveated Rendering (FFR) has enhanced this visual experience even further. Additionally, XR headsets now support gesture recognition, which significantly improves the overall functionality of XR devices.

Breakthroughs in Extended Reality (XR) technology are revolutionizing consumer interactions. XR solutions are enhancing productivity across industries such as real estate, retail, eCommerce, education, training, entertainment, and beyond. It is conceivable that virtual interactions could potentially overshadow real-life experiences in the future.