增强现实与虚拟现实，区别何在？

Augmented Reality vs. Virtual Reality – What’s the Difference?

增强现实与虚拟现实，区别何在？

By Carolyn Nicander Mohr

作者：Carolyn Nicander Mohr
10 May, 2017

2017年5月10日

Tech(nology) can change the way you look at the world.

技术可以改变你看世界的方式。

Augmented reality and virtual reality are two of the ways that tech can change the way you look at the world. The terms can be confusing. Sometimes people think AR and VR are the same thing.

增强现实和虚拟现实是这些方式中的两种。这两个术语容易混淆，有时候人们认为增强现实和虚拟现实是同一个东西。

Augmented reality and virtual reality are increasingly used in technology, so knowing the difference is important.

This picture helps explain the difference between the two.

增强现实和虚拟现实渐渐在技术中使用，明白其差异是重要的。

这幅图有助于解释二者之间的差异。

Augmented Reality

Augmented reality is defined as "an enhanced version of reality created by the use of technology to add digital information on an image of something."

增强现实被定义为 “通过使用技术在图像上加入数字信息而创造出的增强版的现实”。

AR is used in apps for smartphones and tablets. AR apps use your phone's camera to show you a view of the real world in front of you, then put a layer of information, including text and/or images, on top of that view.

增强现实被用于智能手机和平板的应用。AR应用使用你的手机的摄像机在你面前显示一个真实的世界的场景，然后在场景上放置一层信息，包括文字和（或）图片。

Apps can use AR for fun, such as the game Pokémon GO, or for information, such as the app Layar.

一些应用可以使用增强现实而变得有趣，如游戏Pokémon GO，或者给出信息，如应用Layar。

The Layar app can show you interesting information about places you visit, using augmented reality. Open the app when you are visiting a site and read information that appears in a layer over your view.

Layar应用使用增强现实能为你显示有关你所到访之处的有趣的信息，打开app

You can also find money machines, see real estate for sale, find restaurants, and more using the AR feature of the app. You may even discover new sites you did not know existed.

你同样可以找到取款机，看到待售的房地产，找到餐馆，以及应用的更多增强现实特征。甚至你可能发现你之前不知道其存在的新的场所。

This video shows you how augmented reality works with the Layar app.

这个视频为你显示增强现实是如何与Layar应用一起工作的。

Layar is available free for Android on Google Play and iPhone and iPad at the iTunes App Store.

Layar是可通过谷歌市场（安卓）和iTunes应用商店（iPhone和iPad）免费获取的。

Virtual Reality

Virtual Reality is defined as "the use of computer technology to create a simulated environment."

虚拟现实被定义为“使用计算机技术创造一个仿真的环境”。

When you view VR, you are viewing a completely different reality than the one in front of you.

当你看VR的时候，你看到的是与你面前完全不同的现实。

Virtual reality may be artificial, such as an animated scene, or an actual place that has been photographed and included in a virtual reality app.

虚拟现实可以人工的，比如动画场景，也可以是实际场地，经过拍摄后包含在虚拟现实应用中。

With virtual reality, you can move around and look in every direction -- up, down, sideways and behind you, as if you were physically there.

有了虚拟现实，你就可以四处走动，察看每个方向 -- 上下，前后，仿佛身临其境。

You can view virtual reality through a special VR viewer, such as the Oculus Rift. Other virtual reality viewers use your phone and VR apps, such as Google Cardboard or Daydream View.

你能够通过一个特别的VR观看装置如虚拟现实眼镜，观看虚拟现实。其他的虚拟现实观看装置使用你的手机和VR应用如Google Cardboard or Daydream View。

With virtual reality apps, you can explore places you have never been, such as the surface of Mars, the top of Mt. Everest, or areas deep under the sea. The New York Times has a virtual reality app that lets you experience virtual environments on Earth and other planets.

有了虚拟现实应用，你能够探索你从未到过的地方，如火星表面，珠峰顶，深海区域。纽约时报有一个虚拟现实应用可以让你体验地球和其他行星上的虚拟环境。

Google Earth also has a virtual reality app.

谷歌地球也有一个虚拟现实应用。

Check out this video to see how it works.

下载这个视频看看它是如何工作的。