Ever wondered how traffic wardens manage to stand for hours? We can tell you right away that it is not a walk in the park and the pain accompanied from fatigue isn’t a joke you can laugh away. However, all this is about to change. An exoskeleton has been created by Swiss researchers to solve the problem and it works as a chair. The Chairless Chair, as it is called can be locked in place, allowing the user to sit comfortably even when they don’t have access to a chair.
The exoskeleton, when not in use, remains attached and does not hinder the user in walking or even running. That is exactly why the firm behind this device is boastful that it will result in making workers more productive over the course of day. The firm is called noonee and is based in Zurich and said; ‘Once activated, the Chairless Chair uses a lightweight portable variable damper to engage and hold the users’ bodyweight, and thereby relieves the stress on leg muscles and joints. By making the process of work more comfortable and by reducing the risk of exposure to muscle related disorders, employees will also work more efficiently and effectively. As a result, production levels will increase.’
The inventor of Chairless Chair, CEO and co-founder of noonee is a 29 year old Keith Gunura and he has come up with two designs; one that comes with its own boots hence removing the need for the exoskeleton to come in contact with the ground and the other one without the footwear where the exoskeleton does come in contact with the ground when it is locked down for purpose of sitting.
In words of Keith; ‘The idea came from wanting to sit anywhere and everywhere, and from working in a UK packaging factory when I was 17. Standing for hours on end causes a lot of distress to lower limbs, but most workers get very few breaks and chairs are rarely provided, because they take up too much space. So I thought that the best idea was to strap an unobtrusive chair directly to myself.’
Guess what’s the weight of this device? Whatever you guessed; the carbon fiber frame coupled with aluminum weighs in at 2 Kg only. Check out the video below for more