Augmented reality is when digital elements such as instructions, graphics, and graphs are displayed alongside or over what you see in the physical world. Viewing googles usually are not needed for AR. For example, when you point your phone at your car engine, an AR graphic could be used to show you where the oil filler cap is located. Augmented reality is not the same as virtual reality. VR is usually an immersive experience that blocks out the physical world.