DT FAQ - How are VR & Augmented Reality (AR) related to DE?

How are Virtual Reality (VR) & Augmented Reality (AR) related to Digital Engineering?

FAQ Variant(s): How does Virtual Reality (VR) relate to Digital Twins?; How does Augmented Reality (AR) relate to Digital Twins?

In a Virtual Reality (VR) environment, the user's perception of reality is completely based upon digital ("virtual") information, rather than physical ("real") information. In an Augmented Reality (AR) environment, the user is provided with a physical information baseline, upon which is added a digital information layer that enhances their overall perception of reality. Stated otherwise, AR - VR = Physical Reality.

So how does VR in general, or AR in particular, relate to the architecting and designing of Digital Twins?

Virtual Reality (VR) & Augmented Reality (AR) technologies provide the simulation infrastructure for the massive simulations (Simulations-of-Simulations) required by Digital Twins to be indistinguishable from their Physical Twin counterparts. Since VR/AR technologies are rapidly transforming how we interact with Systems-of-Systems, they will play a critical role in the evolution of Digital Twin technology.