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GAO-22-105541 1 (2022-01-26)

handle is hein.gao/gaomrg0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Science, Technology Assessment, and Analytics SCIENCE & TECH SPOTLIGHT: EXTENDED REALITY TECHNOLOGIES What is it? Extended reality (XR) is the overarching term for a spectrum of technologies that link or integrate the digital world and the real world. These include augmented reality (AR), mixed reality (MR), and virtual reality (VR) technologies, all of which provide different degrees of sensory immersion and interaction between the real world and digital content. AR overlays digital content onto representations of the real environment, using smartphones, tablets, or AR glasses. In MR, a dedicated headset recognizes its environment and enables the interaction between digital content and the real world in multiple dimensions. VR completely obscures the real world, immersing users in digital environments using head-mounted displays (see fig. 1). XR technologies can be used for workplace collaboration, training, education, therapeutic treatments, and data exploration and analysis. XR also enables the creation of online universes, or metaverses, where users can interact with each other. XR (Extended Reality) Collective term applied to immersive experiences incorporating varying degrees of digital and real information (Auglmentd Reaility) (Mixed Reality) .(Virtual Reality) N 20 In medicine, XR is emerging as a tool to help train surgeons by enabling interaction with three-dimensional images of anatomical structures (see fig 2). In addition, specialists may be able to virtually examine organs or body systems in three dimensions using XR, rather than the more limited evaluations allowed by flat screens. Realistic XR renderings could help providers better understand the complexity of each patient, making medical procedures safer and more effective. Source: GAO. I GAO-22-105541 User views static digital information or visual elements integrated into the real environment Source: GAO. I GAO-22-10554' User interacts with responsive virtual elements integrated into the real environment User is immersed in an interactive, digitally-generated environment How does it work? XR devices send digital information, which can be accessed and contained locally, or shared and transferred over a network, to the human senses. They can also use sensors to gather information and accept commands. These devices create customized experiences by enabling real-time responses to virtual stimuli. Each requires supporting technologies, which vary by type of experience and real-world application. For example, appliance technicians might wear a holographic display headset configured with video cameras and distance and positioning sensors. The XR-enabled headset could then help guide them through an inspection or repair. Another promising health care application is VR-based psychotherapy for addiction disorders, in which therapists work with patients in a digital world. For example, therapists could monitor patients' heart rates and other responses to simulated situations, without exposing patients to an actual event in an uncontrolled environment. This could provide information to therapists and patients to tailor treatment. In workplace collaboration and training, XR may help workers become more efficient and skilled at lower cost and with less risk. For example, XR systems are currently used to train workers virtually before they actually operate complex systems, such as nuclear power plants. In the construction industry, architects, engineers, and project managers can collaborate in a virtual environment to plan and oversee projects. XR systems could also be used to help K-12 administrators improve security procedures and better protect the physical and operational security of their schools and students. How mature is it? Widespread use of XR has been limited, although it has been around for decades. As of January 2022, multiple XR hardware systems and software development platforms are available in the market, and the market is expanding rapidly. For instance, one global market GAO-22-105541 Extended Reality Technologies

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