Cyberpunk Meets Sustainability: Upcycling to Create a Futuristic Looking Chairless Chair

For my upcycling project, I will create a cyberpunk-inspired “chairless chair” using only freely available materials. A chairless chair is an exoskeleton-like device that straps to the user’s lower body, allowing them to sit anywhere. When not in use, it remains attached to the waist, enabling free movement.

The concept of a chairless chair was first developed by Keith Gunura at ETH Zurich’s NCCR Robotics lab. Gunura later co-founded Noonee, a startup focused on manufacturing these devices. Chairless chairs are designed to assist factory workers, warehouse employees, surgeons, and others who must stand for extended periods where a traditional chair would be impractical. Noonee has an informative video demonstrating their product, which can be found here.

One drawback of these devices is their aesthetics. As seen in figure 1, early iterations featured 80/20 extrusions and exposed metal dampers, prioritizing function over form. The raw, industrial look suggests minimal input from industrial designers or artists.

Figure 1. Noonee’s chairless chair 1.0

Noonee has since iterated this design creating the chairless chair 2.0 which can be seen in figure 2. This design follows a minimalist aesthetic using highly engineered materials like carbon fiber and high performance plastics. Additionally, various manufacturers on Amazon have produced simplified versions, as shown in figure 3, which feature raw injection-molded components and a similarly minimalist design.

Figure 2. Noonee’s chairless chair 2.0

Figure 3. A generic chairless chair being sold on Amazon.com

To set my project apart from previous designs, I will create a chairless chair inspired by a cyberpunk aesthetic. A key influence for this design is the character Cyborg from Teen Titans, shown in figure 4. My goal is to make the device resemble futuristic technology seamlessly integrated with the body.

Figure 4. Cyborg from Teen Titans 2003 animated cartoon

To construct the chairless chair, I will use PVC pipes as the primary structural components for the legs. The PVC pipes will be connected using a 3D printed hinge joint that allows the user to stand but will lock out when the user moves into a seated position. Instead of a damper system like those used in current models, my design will rely on the hinge’s geometry to prevent the chair from sinking too low.

To achieve the cyberpunk aesthetic, I will build a cardboard facade to fully conceal the structural elements. The exterior will be decorated with scrap wires, PCBs, and pipes sourced from fabrication spaces around campus, creating a look similar to the AI-generated image shown in figure 5. The exterior facade will follow the color scheme of my two inspiration images, featuring steel gray as the primary color with blue accents. I will use ribbon cables for the straps that attach the device to the user’s waist and legs, further emphasizing the fusion of man and machine. This detail enhances the cyberpunk aesthetic by integrating electronic elements directly into the wearable structure. By blending a modern invention with a futuristic aesthetic, the design will highlight the incredible potential of engineering. It aims to demonstrate that concepts from science fiction are becoming reality while inspiring curiosity about the possibilities of the future. 

Figure 5. An AI generated image of a cyberpunk exoskeleton

References
  1. A. Chowdhry, “The Chairless Chair Lets You Sit Anywhere,” Forbes, Aug. 24, 2014. Available: https://www.forbes.com/sites/amitchowdhry/2014/08/24/the-chairless-chair-lets-you-sit-anywhere/
Images
  1. Noonee Chairless chair 1.0, Accessed January 29th, 2024, https://shop.noonee.com/
  2. Noonee Chairless chair 2.0, Accessed January 29th, 2024, https://shop.noonee.com/
  3. Generic chairless chair, Accessed January 29th, 2024, https://www.amazon.com/Invisible-Adjustable-Ergonomics-Lightweight-Exoskeleton/dp/B0DFYF6B8F
  4. Cyborg from Teen Titans, Accessed January 29th, 2024, (2003) https://hero.fandom.com/wiki/Cyborg_(Teen_Titans)
  5. AI generated exoskeleton man posted by yuthanaran on Freepik.com, Accessed January 29th, 2024, https://www.freepik.com/premium-ai-image/old-man-is-equipped-with-cyberpunk-exoskeleton-kit_245826013.htm

1 Comment. Leave new

  • I love this idea for a project. I like the functionality of the chairless-chair, because as you said, it could help workers who have to stand for extended periods of time. I like the cyberpunk aesthetic you are going for as well. This aesthetic fits this product because it almost highlights its functionality.

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