It could finally let people who work on their feet sit down on the job.

Swiss researchers have unveiled an almost invisible 'chairless chair'.

The exoskeleton can be locked in place, allowing the wearer to sit comfortably.

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The gadget attaches using a belt, and can be locked in place when the user wants to 'sit'

HOW IT WORKS A belt secures the chairless chair to the hips, and straps wrap around the thighs. A variable damper engages and supports the bodyweight, which is directed towards the heels of the shoes. An alternate version works with any footwear and touches the ground only when in a stationary position. The user just moves into the desired pose and then powers the device using a control button. It currently runs for about 24 hours on a single 6V battery. Advertisement

When not in use, the chair remains attached and the wearer can walk and even run normally.

The firm behind the invention says it could make workers who currently stand all day more productive.

'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 firm behind it, Zurich-based noonee, said. .

'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.'

Called the Chairless Chair, it was invented by Keith Gunura, the 29-year old CEO and co-founder of noonee, the Zurich-based startup behind the device.

The user moves into the desired pose and then powers the device using a control button.

One version of the Chairless Chair features boots that are connected to the device, preventing the need for the frame to ever touch the ground.

Another version doesn't require any special footwear, but the frame does touch the ground when the stiffening mechanism is engaged.

A variable damper engages and supports the bodyweight, which is directed towards the heels of the shoes.

'The idea came from wanting to sit anywhere and everywhere, and from working in a UK packaging factory when I was 17, Gunara told CNN.

'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.

An aluminium and carbon fibre frame keeps the overall weight of the Chairless Chair at just two kilograms.



