World's first robot leg-powered chair

Juniper Foo | Nov 11, 2008

(Credit: Oki and Okamura)

Japan has recently been making great strides with robotic harnesses that help the elderly and physically handicapped walk again. Now, robotic technology has been given another leg up--a robot leg, that is. Oki, applying its jumping Robot Leg technology, has teamed up with furniture maker Okamura to debut an "embrace and wrap" office chair.

The hot seat here is the Leopard, a Transformer-like recliner which follows the movement of the sitter's body, from seating to reclining, through to standing. When the user sits down, the chair will sink approximately 25 degrees to make the person feel as if the seat is wrapped around from the back.

The Leopard will go commercial in May 2009, though both Japanese companies are trying out stronger materials that can handle weight-challenged users. Let's hope by then, we won't have to pay an arm and a leg in exchange.

Via Tech-On

Filed under: Future Tech, Gadgets
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