Volkswagen created a chair for trips around the office (video)
With lights and horn and hitch
Volkswagen tried its hand at developing an unusual type of transport – for office workers. VW’s new high-tech office chair comes complete with an electric motor, headlights, horn, entertainment system and even a hitch.
VW engineers explained that they had the task of transferring as much of the capabilities of their work vans as possible to the office chair. First of all, this thing actually drives around, thanks to an electric motor and some foot pedals. A range of 12 km and a maximum speed of 20 km/h should be enough for daily trips around the office.
To help with maneuvering, there is a rearview camera and 360-degree proximity sensors. When traveling a long distance, you can activate the multimedia system with a touch screen through the built-in speakers. And if there is a traffic jam near the coffee maker, you can lie down on the horn.
A pair of headlights are built into the armrests to help you navigate during overtime shifts. The chair is also equipped with several flashing RGB LEDs. To keep the user comfortable during a long working day, there is also built-in heated seats.
All this is done in the usual Volkswagen design motifs, such as metallic exterior paint, wheels with 4-inch solid aluminum rims and the company logo embroidered on the headrest.
Perhaps the cars’ strangest holdover is cargo capacity – there’s a small trunk in the back for documents and laptops, and even a hitch for larger loads.
This VW office chair is not actually for sale and is a great PR to advertise the company’s vans. However, the chair will be available for a test drive at selected dealerships.
Automakers are not the first to equip office chairs with the functionality of cars. For example, in 2016, Nissan taught office chairs to park themselves at the table.
