Sensing chair measures respiratory rates, heart rates and stress levels

THK Co. Ltd recently presented three Smart Sensing Chair prototypes at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair 2017. The prototypes integrate a smart sensing system that can analyze a person’s health or the condition of the surrounding environment. The sensors built into the chair can measure respiratory rates, heart rates, stress levels and conditions of the surrounding air, for example. This information is then displayed on a monitor. The prototypes featured a simple design consisting of transparent acrylic with a blue seat. The seat is equipped with sensors to measure body movement and take readings of the surrounding environment. The company’s model FBL56H+305LS slide rails are built into the seat, enabling sensor installation. Each of the three chairs exhibited at the fair featured different functions: one chair analyzes a person’s health, one conveys information, and one takes measurements of the surrounding environment. The slide rails are built into the seat of the chair, and can be used to pull the seat back to load or remove a microcomputer. Various health statistics about the person sitting on the chair (respiratory rate, heart rate, and stress level) can be seen on a monitor. A body motion sensor installed in the chair measures one’s heart rate, respiratory rate, and stress levels. What’s more, data can be saved and reviewed with a cloud environment.