AR / VR development tools comparison

Volumetric 6DoF video captures subjects in three dimensions, allowing viewers to experience content with six degrees of freedom (6DoF)—meaning they can move freely in all directions (forward/backward, up/down, left/right) and rotate their viewpoint (pitch, yaw, roll). This is unlike traditional video or even 360-degree video, which only allows rotation but not true movement within the scene[1][4][5].

Gaussian splatting is an advanced rendering technique that uses mathematical models to efficiently represent and display 3D data as a collection of overlapping, semi-transparent 'splats' or blobs. This approach significantly enhances rendering speed and efficiency, making it possible to stream and interact with high-quality volumetric 6DoF video content in real time on various VR headsets, even over the web[1][5].

The 'critical tipping point' refers to a significant shift in the AR/VR headset market where traditional pure VR and AR devices are expected to decline, while mixed reality (MR) and extended reality (ER) headsets gain strong traction. This transition is driven by new entrants like Apple and the adoption of platforms such as Google's Android XR, which are expanding the market and diversifying the types of immersive experiences available.

The growth is propelled by advancements in mixed reality (MR) and extended reality (ER) technologies, increased demand for versatile immersive experiences, and the introduction of new platforms like Google's Android XR. Despite a forecasted shipment decline in 2025 due to delayed product launches, the market is expected to rebound strongly in 2026 and grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 38.6% from 2025 to 2029.

ALVR is a tool that allows users to stream VR games from their PC to their headset via Wi-Fi. It enhances VR gaming on the Apple Vision Pro by enabling access to a vast library of SteamVR content, including support for various controllers like the PlayStation VR2 Sense controllers, which improves the overall gaming experience.

The support for PlayStation VR2 Sense controllers in ALVR allows users to access a broader range of VR content with enhanced controller capabilities, improving the precision and immersion of SteamVR gaming on the Apple Vision Pro.

The Apple Vision Pro will support features such as 6DoF positional tracking, capacitive finger touch detection, and vibration support from the PlayStation VR2 Sense controllers. However, it is unclear if precision haptics or the unique resistive triggers will be supported.

The integration of PlayStation VR2 controllers will significantly enhance Apple Vision Pro's gaming capabilities by allowing developers to create VR-first apps and games that utilize advanced tracking and interaction features. This could attract more developers and potentially increase the appeal of the Apple Vision Pro in the VR gaming market.

Stanford researchers have highlighted VR's potential for training and immersive experiences, particularly in areas like reducing anxiety and pain in medical settings. For example, VR-guided meditation has been shown to reduce anxiety in parents of hospitalized children, and customized VR experiences can decrease patients' anxiety and perception of pain during medical procedures[1][5].

Stanford researchers caution against unnecessary VR use for everyday tasks, emphasizing the need for thoughtful integration of VR technology into mainstream life. This suggests that while VR has significant benefits in specific contexts, it should be used judiciously to avoid over-reliance or misuse[2].

The Android XR SDK Developer Preview 2 includes updates such as new features in Jetpack XR, Jetpack Compose, Material Design, ARCore, and an updated Android XR Emulator. These updates aim to enhance the development of immersive experiences with familiar Android APIs and tools.

The Android XR SDK supports the development of XR-native applications by providing developers with tools like the Android XR Emulator, which allows them to test and optimize their apps for upcoming headsets. Additionally, the SDK includes features like ARCore for enhanced AR capabilities.

Project Aura is significant because it is only the second device to run Google's Android XR operating system, following Samsung's Project Moohan. This marks a key step in expanding the Android XR ecosystem, encouraging developers to create innovative applications and immersive experiences for this emerging platform. The partnership between Google, Xreal, and Qualcomm highlights a strategic effort to compete with other XR platforms like Meta and Apple by offering lightweight, tethered smart glasses optimized for spatial computing.

Project Aura features optical see-through (OST) lenses and is powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon XR chips, which are specifically designed for XR hardware. It supports six degrees of freedom (6DoF) viewing enabled by three cameras, allowing for more immersive spatial experiences compared to devices with only three degrees of freedom (3DoF). The glasses are lightweight and tethered, focusing on portability and connection to other hardware for processing, contrasting with bulkier standalone headsets like Apple's Vision Pro.

Varjo's documentary showcases eight innovative non-consumer use cases of VR and mixed reality, including automotive design by Honda, maritime training by FORCE Technology, medical training by Blueroom Simulations for the Royal Australian Airforce, architectural design by Kohn Pedersen Fox, and advanced XR analytics by Open BCI. These applications emphasize enterprise and military uses where VR and mixed reality improve safety, efficiency, and operational effectiveness.

Varjo's XR-4 series headsets are ultra-high-end tethered PC devices featuring very high central angular VR resolution and advanced passthrough mixed reality capabilities. Launched at the end of 2023, these headsets are designed primarily for enterprise and government users, enabling highly realistic and immersive experiences critical for training, design, and simulation in demanding professional environments.

Extended reality (XR) is an umbrella term that encompasses virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR). XR integrates these technologies to create immersive digital experiences that blend or replace the physical world. VR fully immerses users in a virtual environment, AR overlays digital content onto the real world, and MR allows interaction between real and virtual objects. XR’s broader scope enables its application across various industries beyond gaming, such as healthcare, automotive design, and real estate.

In 2024, XR technology is revolutionizing industries by enhancing operations and customer experiences. In healthcare, XR improves diagnostic accuracy with 3D medical imaging and enables immersive surgical training. In automotive and design sectors, XR allows professionals to visualize and interact with 3D models at full scale, improving creativity and reducing costly revisions. Real estate uses XR for virtual property tours and design visualization, speeding up decision-making. The tourism and hospitality industries employ XR to offer virtual destination previews, increasing customer engagement. Overall, XR fosters innovation, efficiency, and remote collaboration across multiple sectors.

To add VR support to a Universal Render Pipeline (URP) project, you need to install key packages such as XR Plug-in Management and the XR Interaction Toolkit (XRI Toolkit). These packages help streamline VR development across multiple platforms by managing VR device integration and providing interaction components.

First, create a Universal Render Pipeline Asset in your project by right-clicking in the Project window and selecting Create > Rendering > Universal Render Pipeline > Pipeline Asset. Then, assign this asset in the Project Settings under Graphics in the Scriptable Render Pipeline Settings field. This ensures the project uses URP instead of the built-in render pipeline. After this, install and configure the XR Plug-in Management and XR Interaction Toolkit packages to enable VR support.