performing tasks at a distance with teleoperation

"Teleoperation" and "Telerobotics" are similar terms for distance manipulation and interaction through the activation of a form of robotic machine. Teleoperation generally involves visual and haptic sensation from the distant robot/machine to the user and, going the other way, motion control and manipulation from the user to the distant robot/machine. Teleoperation is especially helpful for activities in dangerous environments such as outer space or under water. It can also help in increasing remote access to advanced talent without travel time. The page on Interaction and Information Design Resources delves into interesting topics.

When a human engages with a pure multi-dimensional, artificially-generated setting, this is definitely within the realm of Virtual Reality (VR). In any event, is it virtual reality when a human engages with an actual setting with the help of selected virtual components or implements? For instance, is it virtual reality if a pilot uses artificially-generated diagrams superimposed on the sky to navigate, a physician uses virtual pictures overlaid on the patient's skin to work, or an oil driller uses virtual pictures overlaid on the earth to direct oil exploration? These applications are examples of "Mixed Reality" (MR). Mixed reality is not totally enveloping and artificially-generated. These uses beg the question as to what percentage of computer generated components is the border between pure Virtual Reality and mixed reality ...25%?...50%? ...90%? Based on where you draw the line -- a modern real-world setting including cell phones, e-mail messages, car direction systems, palm tops and similar machines could be viewed, taken together, as a mixed reality setting. Also Virtual Tours Fontana, California discusses more regarding this topic.

Also, Virtual Robots covers interesting topics.