The Mind Chair is the creation of London designers Peter Marigold and Beta Tank and is an amazing chair that utilizes sensory substitution technology developed in the 1960s to send and display high-definition moving imagery into the mind of the person seated in it. The design uses a standard plastic chair with a special electronic device attached to the back of it.
This devise makes use of science attributed to Dr Paul Bach-y-Rita and looks like something you would find on the back of your TV or DVD player, but it is this device that transmits via the seated persons skin, the high definition video imagery. In reality the seated person will mentally 'see' the transmission sent by the Mind Chair in all its Technicolor glory. The Mind Reading Chair cannot be far off...
The simplistic design masks the thought-provoking abilities of the Mind Chair and for a closer look at the chair it will be exhibited at the forthcoming Design and the Elastic Mind exhibition at MoMA in New York. What can or will the Mind Chair be used for?
Furniture Can Change Your Thoughts
Mind Chair
Trend Themes
1. Sensory Substitution Technology - Innovative technology that sends and displays high-definition moving imagery into the mind of the person using it, creating a new market for entertainment experiences and healthcare applications.
2. Mind-reading Technology - Recent scientific advancements in mind-reading technology that can have disruptive innovations in the areas of mental health, education, and communication.
3. Design for Wellbeing - A focus on designing products and spaces that promote physical and mental wellbeing, leading to new opportunities in interior design, architecture, and furniture industries.
Industry Implications
1. Entertainment - The use of sensory substitution technology can create new and immersive entertainment experiences, leading to disruptive innovations in the gaming, film, and theme park industries.
2. Healthcare - Sensory substitution technology can have disruptive innovations in the healthcare industry, specifically in aiding people with visual and hearing impairments, as well as helping individuals cope with mental health disorders.
3. Interior Design - The focus on designing for wellbeing can lead to new opportunities in the interior design industry, such as creating furniture and spaces that prioritize mental and physical health of occupants.