- A new form of "existence" born between virtual and reality -

"Connecting" has evolved into "being there."

- To reconstruct "existence" itself, beyond physical distance.

Towards an era where you can feel like you're there even when you're away from the workplace

We now live in an era where we are questioning our "way of existence" in every field.

Office meetings, tours of factories, customer service in showrooms and tourist guidance - these activities were once thought to be impossible to accomplish without being there, but advances in technology are beginning to bring about major changes.

The words "remote participation" and "online connection" have become commonplace.Have you ever felt that connections made through a screen are somehow unreliable and have a weak presence?

In this context,iPresenceproposed a new concept in 2020.

that is,Semi-Real.

This word is somewhere between being "really there" and being "completely virtual".A new way of “existence”Shows.

What is Semi-Real?Creating a presence that makes you feel like you're there even though you're not physically there.

It is not just an extension of information and communications.Redesigning the experience to make people feel like they are there sensorily, spatially, and psychologically

This approach offers great potential for any workplace where people work or interact in relation to space, such as offices, factories, and showrooms.

What is Semi-Real? - Definition and Components

Semi-Real is a term coined by iPresence in 2020.

This word is a combination of "semi" (half/partial) and "real" (reality).Not completely "real," but a clearly "close to real" experience or presenceRefers to.

However, this cannot be fully explained by a simple literal translation.

Semi-Real points out:
A new "layer of existence" that dissolves the boundary between the real and the virtual and bridges the two.

Definition of Semi-Real

A state in which others can feel as if they are there, even when they are not physically present, or an experience designed to make them feel that way.

For example, this could involve experiences such as a remote-controlled robot patrolling a factory or a virtual "walk-through" of a 3D scanned showroom.

Unlike simple video calls or surveillance footage,A sense of "actively existing" in spaceThe key point of Semi-Real is that it reproduces the above.

The four elements that make up Semi-Real

  1. Sharing Space:Can you get the sense that you have a place in that situation?

  2. Interaction:Can you actively participate rather than passively observe?

  3. Creating a sense of presence:Do the people around you naturally feel like, "That person is there?"

  4. Freedom from physical constraints:Can we overcome practical limitations such as distance and time?

When these elements come together, a semi-real state is achieved - a paradoxical and revolutionary experience of "being there, yet not being there."

How can Semi-Real be used in the field? Examples of use in offices, factories, and showrooms

Semi-Real is not just an abstract concept; it is alreadyIt has been implemented in many real-world situations and has produced good results.This is the approach.

Here we will introduce some specific examples of Semi-Real usage in the three main fields that iPresence focuses on: offices, factories, and showrooms.

■ Office: Recreate the presence of managers and key people remotely

On-site decision-making, consulting with subordinates, team management -- these activities are not simply about exchanging information; they require the person to have a presence that makes them feel like they are there.

By utilizing semi-real telepresence technology, you can communicate from a distance.Robots move around the office, communicate, and share the space

●Managers use robots to make "surprise visits" and talk to their subordinates
●Telecommuters “participate” in lunch meetings in the office
● "Spatial integration" of interactions between distant locations

Giving your team a sense of presence that can't be achieved through mere connectionThis is the true value of Semi-Real.

■ Factories: Remote on-site inspection and patrol

At manufacturing sites, many on-site responses are required every day, such as checking the progress of processes, ensuring safety, and inspecting equipment.

However, doing everything physically would require an enormous amount of time, manpower, and cost.

With a semi-realistic approach,Remotely patrol the factory using a robot and communicate with on-site staff in real timeIt will be possible to do so.

●Managers of multiple factories "go round" multiple locations in one day
●Technicians in distant locations can "see" the on-site situation with their own eyes and give advice
● Check the operations of overseas bases "as if you were there"

Semi-Real recreates the "on-site feeling" where vision, space, and conversation overlap.

■ Showrooms and tourist facilities: Remote customer service and creating "encounters"

Guidance and customer service in the physical space are directly linked to the experiential value.

However, due to labor shortages and travel restrictions, it is difficult to always maintain high-quality service.

In Semi-Real customer service,Staff in remote locations will communicate with visitors through the robot and guide them around the facility.

You can talk at eye level and move forward as if you are sharing the space.It is possible to provide a "memory of the encounter" rather than just a description

● Foreign language speaking staff are in charge of multiple facilities remotely
●Remotely tell the stories behind the exhibits
Even when no one is around, the robot moves around, creating the impression that someone is "there."

We are entering an era in which the quality of "presence" will determine the value of the experience, even in tourism and commercial spaces.

From "Connecting" to "Being" - The psychological impact of Semi-Real

Many of us have become accustomed to working remotely and staying connected through video calls. But at the same time, we've likely felt this way at some point.

I can hear the voice and see the image.

but--I don't feel like I'm "there."

This is something that cannot be compensated for by "connections" alone.Lack of psychological presence.

The reason why Semi-Real is attracting attention is not only because of its technological novelty,The point is that it allows you to reconstruct this "sense of being there."

The feeling of being there brings comfort and connection

Semi-Real does not just convey information,Providing an experience that makes you feel like you're "together" by sharing the space and sensesTo do.

When this sense of presence is created, the following positive psychological changes occur:

  • Increased sense of security and trust: Seeing each other face to face and sharing space creates a sense of security that you are being watched over.

  • Promoting teamwork and co-creation:The feeling that we are "creating a space together" creates a more proactive collaborative attitude.

  • Reduced feelings of isolation:The feeling that "someone is nearby" is a great help, especially for those working from home or with small staff at a base.

  • Reproducing hospitality in customer service and guidance:Increasing the feeling that customers are being served will improve customer satisfaction and your impression of the facility.

"Connecting" evolves into "being there"

This phrase succinctly expresses the essence of Semi-Real.

When the thin, unstable line of "connection" changes to a thick, solid sense of "being there," people can finally "be involved with confidence" in the truest sense of the word.

We believe that this feeling will be a determining factor in the quality of remote communication and hybrid work in the future.

The future created by Semi-Real and beyond

Semi-Real is not simply "convenient remote control" or "communication technology with a realistic feel."

That is, An attempt to redefine what it means for people to "be" there and what it means to "exist".

In the office, you'll feel like your remote managers are "right there" with you.

In factories, the ability to "visit" multiple work sites in real time.

At showrooms and tourist facilities, you can enjoy the joy of "meeting people" even from afar.

In all these situations, Semi-RealTechniques and ideas that restore and strengthen the connection between space and emotions, without being bound by physical constraints.

"Connecting" has evolved into "being there."

As this phrase symbolizes, the way we work and live will increasingly be driven by a restructuring of our "presence."

But,What iPresence is really aiming for is something that lies beyond that.

Going beyond just "being there" to an "existence experience"

Semi-Real makes it possible to feel like you are "there," regardless of physical distance.

However, there is even more to the future...A form of presence that makes you feel "certainly involved even when not there"should be required.

For example,

● A robot that autonomously interacts with the site even when not being operated by the user
An environment where physical and digital spaces merge to allow people to have equal influence in either space
● Remote communication that allows sharing of emotions and intentions

This next-generation experience of existence,iPresence aims to achieve this through technology and design that "delivers the atmosphere of the moment."

Semi-Real is the first step towards a future "way of existence."

そ し て,The questions we should be asking now are how to design it, how to use it, and how to establish it in society.

Summary

  • Semi-Realis a new concept of presence proposed by iPresence.A state in which you "feel" like you're there even if you're not physically thereRealize.

  • It's not just about "connecting"Security, trust, empathy, memoryBut it will be reconstructed by Semi-Real.

  • And iPresence,A way of being that goes beyond even "being there"We will continue to ask ourselves this question and give it shape.