Explanation
A device that presents visual information directly in front of the user's eyes.
Real-world example
A VR headset, AR glasses, or a fighter pilot's heads-up display.
Practical applications
- Hands-free display: viewing information without looking at an external screen
- Contextual information: data overlaid onto the work environment
- Navigation and guidance: directions displayed directly in front of the eyes
- Technical assistance: procedures, diagrams, and alerts in real time
Types of HMD (Head-Mounted Display)
VR headsets (opaque)
- Full immersion, complete virtual world
- Screens in front of the eyes, isolation from the real world
- Quest, Pico, Valve Index
Example: Immersive training, simulation
AR glasses (transparent)
- See the real world plus overlaid information
- Form factor close to regular eyeglasses
- HoloLens, Magic Leap
Example: Technical assistance on a factory floor
MR headsets (passthrough)
- VR headset with a view of the real world via cameras
- Versatile: pure VR or MR depending on the need
- Quest 3, Vision Pro
Example: Switching from VR to MR with a single tap
VR scenario
A fighter pilot wears a helmet with a built-in HUD. Flight information (speed, altitude, target) is displayed directly in front of their eyes, overlaid on their view of the sky. They never need to look down at the instrument panel.
Why it matters in professional VR
- HMD is the umbrella category for all head-worn display devices
- Choose the right type based on the use case: VR (immersion), AR (real-world context), MR (hybrid)
- The evolution toward lighter and more discreet form factors is well underway