The virtual future: Creating new realities with virtual and augmented reality; [Die zukunft virtuell: Erschaffung neuer realitäten mit virtual und augmented reality]

Abstract

This article discusses the development of new realities through virtual and augmented reality and considers their growing importance for geospatial applications. Virtual reality can create immersive digital environments, while augmented reality adds digital information to the user's view of the physical world. Both approaches can make spatial information more interactive and easier to explore. The article considers how these technologies can be combined with geodata to create applications for planning, visualization, navigation, communication, and other location-based tasks. Three-dimensional geographic information provides the spatial foundation for creating realistic digital environments and positioning virtual objects in relation to the real world. Augmented reality can help users understand information directly at the location where it is relevant, while virtual reality can provide an environment for exploring places and scenarios that may be difficult to access physically. The article also recognizes practical challenges such as data quality, hardware requirements, positioning accuracy, processing capacity, and user interaction. Successful applications depend on both technological performance and the quality of the underlying geospatial information. The discussion highlights the potential of virtual and augmented reality to change how people interact with spatial data and presents these technologies as important elements of the continuing digital development of geoinformation services.