The Kehai experience: A preliminary study on the human ability to sense another person’s presence nearby

Humans can often feel the presence of another human being close to them even without any clear sensory inputs. This concept is commonly called the Kehai (気配, /ˈkeːhaɪ/) experience in Japan. Understanding this concept is important for the advancement of next-generation information and communication technologies and construction of human-oriented service designs. However, the mechanisms and characteristics of Kehai experience are still unclear. This study aimed to quantitatively measure Kehai experience using the paradigms of experimental psychology. Here, based on previous findings and the present results, we will discuss Kehai experience from the viewpoint of advancing service design.