The latest thing in ergonomics is a chair that communicates with users…literally.
German inventor Risto Kõiva, an expert in computer modeling and robotics, has developed a new chair perfectly suited to any environment or task that involves a great deal of sitting. Along with his associates at Bielefeld University, Kõiva has come up with the Intelli Chair—a chair that emits sounds from seatbacks and cushions to suggest when users should make posture adjustments or take breaks from sitting.
“Four touch-sensitive sensors in the seat of the chair and another four in the back of the chair detect how the user is sitting,” Kõiva said in a statement.”The data they collect is sent to a computer via a bluetooth module.”
If the chair detects that its occupant is sitting in the wrong position or has remained seated for too long, it makes a noise to tell the user it is time to change position.
Physicist and computer scientist Thomas Hermann said the Intelli Chair was mainly intended for use in a home office, but could be useful elsewhere.
“It could be used in school classrooms, or in big offices to optimize workflows by determining when employees need to take a break,” the 40-year-old said. Experts agree the chair is perhaps the most important component of a healthy working environment.
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