# Symmetrical Reality: Toward a Unified Framework for Physical and Virtual Reality

**Authors:** Zhenliang Zhang, Cong Wang, Dongdong Weng, Yue Liu, Yongtian Wang  
**arXiv:** [1903.02723](https://arxiv.org/abs/1903.02723)  
**Date:** 2019-03-07  
**Summary page:** https://www.summarizepaper.com/en/paper/1903.02723v1/

## Key points

- Authors propose the concept of symmetrical reality as a unified framework for physical and virtual reality
- Traditional forms of virtual reality can be interpreted using symmetrical reality
- Symmetrical reality allows for analysis from both physical and virtual observation locations
- All other forms of physical and virtual realities can be treated as special cases within the symmetrical reality framework
- The paper offers valuable insights into the relationship between physical and virtual realities
- Provides a foundation for understanding and interpreting mixed realities
- Has implications for computer science, human-computer interaction, and immersive technologies.

## Summary

In their paper titled "Symmetrical Reality: Toward a Unified Framework for Physical and Virtual Reality," authors Zhenliang Zhang, Cong Wang, Dongdong Weng, Yue Liu, and Yongtian Wang provide an in-depth review of the background of physical reality and virtual reality as well as various mixed forms of these concepts. They propose a novel concept called symmetrical reality that seeks to describe the physical and virtual world from a unified perspective. The authors argue that under the framework of symmetrical reality, traditional forms of virtual reality such as augmented reality, inverse virtual reality and inverse augmented reality can be interpreted using a single presentation. By analyzing the characteristics of symmetrical reality from two different observation locations (i.e., from the physical world and from the virtual world), they demonstrate how all other forms of physical and virtual realities can be treated as special cases within this framework. This paper offers valuable insights into the relationship between physical and virtual realities by introducing the concept of symmetrical reality. The authors' comprehensive analysis provides a foundation for understanding and interpreting various forms of mixed realities. This research has significant implications for fields such as computer science, human-computer interaction and immersive technologies.