After talking about [Virtual Reality](/blog/what-is-virtual-reality "Virtual Reality") and [Augmented Reality](/blog/what-is-augmented-reality "Augmented Reality"), today is the turn to talk bout Mixed Reality. We will answer the following questions: **what is Mixed Reality?**, **how does Mixed Reality differ from Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality?**, **what is Augmented Virtuality?** and **how can Mixed Reality benefit businesses?** Keep reading and find out how Mixed Reality can help you to **#ONEUPYOURBUSINESS**.

## WHAT IS MIXED REALITY?

Mixed Reality, frequently abbreviated as MR, is the blend of the physical and virtual worlds, allowing the end user to interact with them in real time by providing constant environment information. This connection of both worlds is technically known as the *virtuality continuum*.

One example of Mixed Reality could be a retail shop in which the customer has access to physical inventory as well as virtual products placed as holograms, both of them seamlessly integrated with each other, and the customer being able to try on either of them.

## HOW DOES MIXED REALITY DIFFER FROM VIRTUAL REALITY AND AUGMENTED REALITY?

Mixed Reality is the merging of Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality into a single experience.

The differentiating factor of Mixed Reality is the constant feedback from the real environment that creates the virtuality continuum; without it, the experience would be more similar to Augmented Reality or Virtual Reality, depending on the type of headset that is being used. One of the main downsides of using head-mounted displays, like the [Oculus](https://www.oculus.com "Oculus"), is that they block the user’s perception of the real world, limiting the Mixed Reality experience. The ideal headset would be a headset more similar to the [Google Glass](https://www.google.com/glass/start/ "Google Glass").

As it stands today, there is not a single device that works across the whole virtuality continuum, but we are expecting this to change in the very near future.

## WHAT IS AUGMENTED VIRTUALITY?

Augmented Virtuality, also written as AV, is the placement of real people and objects in a virtual environment in real time, with the interaction happening in the computer-generated world. This represents a middle ground in the virtuality continuum and is achieved by using specialist equipment like 3D scanners or video streaming.

The difference with Augmented Reality is that in Augmented Virtuality the interaction happens in the virtual environment, whilst in Augmented Reality the interaction occurs in the real world.

## HOW CAN MIXED REALITY BENEFIT BUSINESSES?

By providing an enhanced and richer experience of your products and premises to your clients and customers, you will allow them to interact with your business in new ways that will maximise your sales and reduce your need to have physical inventory.

Mixed Reality is also specially useful in the Construction and Property sector, giving extra functionality to the [Digital Twins](/blog/what-is-a-digital-twin "Digital Twins') and providing your managers and employees with a powerful tool to conduct inspections in a much safer and more efficient manner.

We tell you what is Mixed Reality, what is the difference with VR and AR, how can your business benefit from implementing it and what Mixed Reality solutions we offer.

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