the boundaries of virtual reality

When a human interacts with a 100% enveloping, artificially-generated setting, this is definitely within the realm of Virtual Reality (VR). However, is it Virtual Reality when a human engages with the real world with the help of selected virtual things or tools? To be specific, is it virtual reality if a pilot uses computer-generated outlines superimposed on the skyspace to navigate, a surgeon uses virtual pictures shown on top of a patient's body to work, or an oil driller uses virtual images overlaid on the earth to direct oil drilling? These applications are cases of "Mixed Reality" (MR). Mixed reality is not totally three-dimensional and computer-generated. These uses beg the question as to what portion of computer generated objects is the boundary between pure Virtual Reality and mixed reality ...25%?...50%? ...90%? Based on where you make the cut-off -- a modern physical environment including cell phones, e-mail messages, car navigation systems, palm tops and similar devices may be seen, en masse, as a mixed reality setting. Also visit the site Alterlinks .

The most popular type of sound-based communication from humans to computers is speech interpretation. Voice recognition applied science has made considerable progress apart from virtual reality. Application of advance speech interpretation systems to virtual reality greatly improves the breadth and realism of the interaction between humans and computers. Further, Virtual Tours Grand Marais, Minnesota has information about this.

Further, Virtual Cars covers similar topics.