LAS VEGAS — The largest display of consumer electronics on the planet, CES, kicked off here on Monday (Jan. 6). Among the nearly 20,000 gizmos on display are a huge assortment of technologies designed with health and wellness in mind. As expected, visitors to this year’s CES will see an abundance of fitness trackers for athletes of many different sports, from marathon runners to snowboarders. But attendees will also see gadgets and devices that monitor your health when you aren’t wearing workout clothes, such as an arm chair said to help you get fit while you watch TV, and a Bluetooth-enabled pacifier that lets parents know when baby is running a fever. Live Science scoured CES in search of the most novel technology for the health-minded set. Here are our favorite finds so far: At last year’s CES, fitness company TAO Wellness unveiled its Wellshell, a cellphone-size fitness tracker that also works as a tiny piece of exercise equipment. The company says that users can hold the device against their bodies to strengthen their muscles (a technique known as isometric exercise).
The device connects to an app on your phone, which monitors your progress and teaches you new exercises. The novelty of this product is that it can be used anywhere, at any time, allowing you to sneak in a quick workout no matter your schedule. But this year, TAO has taken that idea of working out anywhere to another level. The TAO Chair is a piece of exercise equipment that seconds as an actual chair for your office or living room. The device lets whoever is sitting in it work out different muscle groups. That’s right, you can tone up those biceps while you binge-watch your favorite shows or shoot off emails. The TAO Chair likely won’t be available until the end of 2015, and the company isn’t giving up details on what the device will cost just yet. In fact, the Wellshell of last year is still in the testing phase, and the company is also releasing no details yet about how much that item might cost.Since our launch in October 2015, Altwork’s objective continues to be to redefine how your computer and workstation work with you, to support you in being more productive, comfortable, and healthy.
Our launch and Pre-Order Campaign have been extraordinary, exciting, and gratifying—in both early adopter orders placed and major international press coverage. Now, after more than five years of engineering and over $3M of founder and angel investment, we are poised to begin delivering the very first Altwork Stations in September 2016—the world’s first workstation designed for high-intensity computer users. We invite you to experience the new way to work by purchasing your Altwork Station. Discover hundreds of color and finish options, a host of cool accessories, and a dynamic and revolutionary new way to spend time at your computer. Time to create, to grow, to inspire, and to contribute. Four Key Positions Imagine your dream workspace. You would want to sit, stand, recline into a focus position for tackling your toughest work challenges, or even work in a zero gravity position—all while maintaining ergonomic integrity and being comfortable so you can be more productive. As engineers, designers, and technologists we believe your work can flow more freely when your computer moves with you throughout your work day.
Get in and get it done. Traditional desks and chairs treat you like an old typewriter. Everything in the modern workspace has evolved except for how you interface with your computer. Desks and chairs are essentially what they’ve always been, you conform to them, instead of them working with you. We’ve designed a better way. Sit down or stand up. The Altwork Station features integrated pushbutton controls that deliver seamless, smooth interaction between your body and your computer. Studies show that changing positions throughout the day is better for us. Sit, stand, collaborate, or focus/recline—your choice. Call a meeting at your Station. Whether sitting, standing, or collaborating with your team by swinging the screen so everyone can see, presentations are a breeze. It’s more than a desk, a chair, or a cubicle. It’s unlike any other workstation. Glide in to reclined focus. The Altwork Station supports your body and your work by seamlessly conforming your keyboard, desk, mouse, and monitor to your body.
This allows you to create a massive selection of working positions with your computer so you can work the right way for the right task. Our unique focus position allows high intensity computer users to eliminate the discomfort of standard tables and chairs so they can focus longer on complex tasks. It’s time to move beyond outmoded furniture and create a new way to work for digital professionals. From gentle recline to zero gravity. Altwork Station in the News Engineers. Altwork is the new way to work. Altwork is a team of experienced technology professionals, long-time friends, and family who’ve worked on everything from building the world’s fastest recumbent bicycle, to security software used by the US Government, to Burning Man art cars. We’ve created and built successful companies, applying for and winning multiple patents in the process. Basically, we like tough challenges with a side-order of fun and family. I love my Altwork station. It has prevented many headaches, backaches, and I find it works well to minimize distractibility.
It is my work vehicle. I’m enjoying my Altwork Station. They exceeded my expectations and I’m more comfortable doing my work now. We work at tables and sit on chairs just as we have for hundreds of years. not much else has. In our new digital world, sitting, standing, working and the relationship to our computers and the innovative process needs reimagining. Our bodies and minds need a new connection that allows us to work the long hours it takes to create the future. Working differently will allow us to think differently. Altwork is taking us there. After trying out the $5,900 Altwork Station, one thought immediately comes to mind: boycott work until you're issued one of these babies. I have never seen anything like this except when I was 7 and watching StarTrek. This is really cool.Office StuffsOffice DecoreOffice GadgetsGadgets MwaaaaaOffice GizmosViva OfficeOffice GeekWorkplace OfficeHome OfficeForwardThe VIVA Office Executive and Managerial Chair reclines fully and has an extended foot rest for the ultimate in office comfort.