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creating the illusion that you’re actually inside that virtual location. One drawback of VR is that the user is typically limited to a small area—only as far as the cords that attach to the headset can reach—but more advanced headsets allow users more mobility. Examples of virtual reality devices include Facebook’s Oculus Rift, HTC’s Vive, Sony’s PlayStation VR, Samsung’s Gear VR, and Google’s Cardboard.

NICELY SAID… “Virtual reality replaces reality, taking you somewhere else. Augmented reality adds to reality, projecting information on top of what you’re already seeing.”

Source: PC Magazine

AUGMENTED REALITY Augmented reality is a computer-generated system that combines a virtual environment that contains imaginary digital elements (video game characters, 3–D models, train schedules, facts about a historical site, etc.) with a real environment. These elements are introduced through the camera on a smartphone, headset, laptop, tablet, smart glasses or helmet, or other type of technology. The use of such technology allows users of AR much more mobility than VR users enjoy. You see both the real world and an imaginary one. For example, in the game Pokémon Go , images of Pokémon are projected on the screen, superimposed on whatever the camera is looking at (such as a park or a city street). In VR, you can see imaginary elements, but you cannot interact with them. Other examples of augmented reality technology include Snapchat Lenses, Google Glass, and Yelp’s Monocle feature.

14 COOL CAREERS IN SCIENCE: ALTERNATIVE REALITY DEVELOPERS