perceptionssemimmersive

Perceptionssemimmersive is a term used in media psychology and human-computer interaction to describe experiences that combine semi-immersive sensory cues with interactive elements, yielding a perceptual state that sits between fully non-immersive media and fully immersive virtual reality. The term emphasizes how perception is shaped by partial immersion rather than by complete sensory saturation.

Core characteristics include partial sensory immersion across visual, auditory, and sometimes haptic channels; flexible user agency through navigation or manipulation of the environment; variable levels of realism and abstraction; and reliance on diverse display technologies such as large-format screens, projection systems, augmented reality overlays, or room-scale installations.

Origins and usage: The concept arose in the early to mid-2010s as researchers explored a continuum of immersion beyond traditional screens and standard VR. It is used in discussions of museums, educational installations, architectural visualization, virtual tours, and collaborative design tools where full VR is impractical but some sense of presence is desirable.

Applications and benefits: Perceptionssemimmersive approaches aim to balance accessibility and presence. They can reduce cost and equipment requirements, lower motion sickness risk, support collaborative exploration and remote guidance, and allow rapid iteration of environments.

Limitations and challenges: The term lacks a single, universally accepted definition, leading to overlap with semi-immersive, augmented reality, and mixed reality. Measuring presence and perceptual fidelity is complex, and design guidelines are still developing. Critics argue that the label may obscure differences in technology and user goals.

See also: immersion, presence, semi-immersive displays, augmented reality, virtual reality, mixed reality.