Sensoorika

Sensoorika is a term used in discussions of sensory augmentation and multimodal perception to denote a hypothetical system that translates environmental data into new perceptual channels beyond ordinary senses, enabling augmented perception. It appears in academic papers, design fiction, and conversations about neuroprosthetics, though it is not a standardized or widely adopted term.

Etymology and scope: The coinage blends the root sense with a suffix that evokes technique and play. In most sources, sensoorika is used as a conceptual placeholder rather than a concrete technology, and its meaning varies across disciplines.

Concept and design: Proposed implementations include wearable sensors that collect signals such as temperature, air quality, heart rate, or neural activity and convert them into perceptual cues—tactile patterns, auditory cues, or visual submodulations. Proposals emphasize user training and careful calibration to avoid cognitive overload.

Applications: Potential uses include improved accessibility for people with sensory impairments, complex data visualization for scientists, and immersive media experiences. In education and research, sensoorika serves as a framework for exploring how new perceptual channels change interpretation.

Reception and limitations: Critics point to ethical and safety questions, risks of sensory overload, and questions about consent and manipulation. Technical hurdles include latency, reliability, user comfort, and the challenge of mapping data to meaningful percepts.

See also: sensory substitution; sensory augmentation; neuroprosthetics; augmented reality; multimodal perception; human-computer interaction.