Solution for Standing All Day Jobs

Innovation for work strikes again—this time an innovative company in Switzerland, Noonee, has come up the “Chairless Chair”.  The company describes the Chairless Chair as a lightweight, power efficient mechatronic device that is worn on the legs. It allows the wearer/user to walk or run when it is not activated. However, 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. The user just needs to move into the desired pose, activate the Chairless Chair and profit from the provided posture support.”

The frame of the device is relatively light weight, just over 2 lbs for each leg.  The wearer directs his/her bodyweight to the heels of his/her shoes, which is wear the Chairless Chair is attached, to engage the device.  There sitting height of the device can be adjusted.  The device uses a 6 volt battery which is used when it is in the seated position.  The device doesn’t interfere with walking nor does it provide any muscle strength to the user so it does not effect.  It appears to be a little bulky but since it’s still in beta testing one assumes that it will become smaller and sleeker. 

I can see many possible applications for the Chairless chair.  It can be used for any tasks that require prolonged standing and those that involve in between postures, i.e. where standing is too high but regular sitting is too low.  The advantage for employers would be increased productivity since the need for microbreaks, job rotation or other compensatory practices could be virtually eliminated and improved health and wellness of the workers who wear it.  It may be an option for certain return to work cases as well as for rehabilitation purposes.