Virtual, Augmented and Mixed Reality: Essence of Concepts and Specificity of Relevant Computer Systems

The purpose of the article is to reveal the essence of the concepts of “virtual reality”, “augmented reality”, “mixed reality”, as well as to find out the typological differences of the relevant computer systems. The research methodology is based on the application of the dialectical method, which allows us to reveal the special features of virtual / augmented / mixed realities through the prism of the dialectic of interaction between technology and man. The scientific novelty of the findings is a clear distinction between the concepts of “virtual reality”, “augmented reality”, “mixed reality” — the key concepts of immersive information technology, the inappropriate use of which as synonyms leads to the unjustified use of special vocabulary. In addition, the article reveals the essence and main differences between computer VR-, AR-, XR-systems, which is extremely important in the framework of Ukrainian cultural studies, a science that is now actively involved in the study of unprecedented social changes under the influence of the latest information and communication technologies. Conclusions. The diversity of views of scientists and practitioners on the typology of virtual reality, as well as the concepts of “virtual reality”, “augmented reality”, “mixed reality”, is explained by the inappropriate identification of virtual reality technologies of the late 1990s and modern developments in this area; the lack of clear typology criteria and appropriate methodological approaches, which complicates the process of classification of types of virtual reality; the rapid development of VR-technologies, which provokes a significant gap between theory and practice. Meanwhile, the field of virtual reality research continues to expand steadily, and the integration of VR with various spheres of human life is ongoing. VR and AR technologies are gaining popularity in cultural, educational, gaming, business environments, etc. It is possible that in the near future, virtual reality will become an integral part of our lives and give humanity many new opportunities. The issue under discussion is just beginning to be studied in Ukrainian culturology, which encourages deeper penetration into the essence of the processes occurring in culture under the influence of the latest information and communication developments, and therefore, clarification of the possibilities of using the latter in the implementation of numerous cultural projects, developing mechanisms and methods for their use by cultural institutions, etc