What is the difference between VR and AR ?

The difference between Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality is in the way they influence the reality around us.

Virtual Reality creates a completely virtual world that replaces the real environment. You feel completely in a simulated reality, as if you are in a movie or game. You experience this with the help of VR glasses and controllers, which follow your movements and interactions. With VR glasses on you can no longer see anything of your own environment.

Augmented Reality augments environment by adding digital elements to a live image. Consider, for example, Snapchat lenses or the game Pokémon Go. So you still see the real world, but with extra virtual details. This often happens via the camera of your smartphone or tablet.

VR and AR techniques together are Extended Reality or XR.