Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. has caught international attention with the release of its promotional video for the “Intelligent Parking Chair.” The smart chair allows lazy employees to tidy up conference rooms and office spaces with a mere clap of the hands.
After a conference, or when most office employees have left for the day, the last person in the room need only clap their hands once, and the Intelligent Parking Chairs will return to the designated parking spots. Each chair uses Wi-Fi technology, four cameras and 360-degree rollers to maneuver into tight spots under tables or desks. It’s no coincidence the same technology is used in Nissan’s automotive Parking Assist technology.
(images via Nissan)
The company’s Parking Assist technology is at least a year and a half old by now, but it’s still one of the reasons consumers are going crazy for the Qashqai and X-Trail SUV models. When a driver puts their car into reverse, something called Around View Monitor technology allows the driver to see his or her car from above, or from a bird’s overhead point of view, by using four cameras placed strategically along the car’s exterior. A live rearview camera feed also turns on, allowing the driver to see the rear of the vehicle in real time, without turning around or depending solely upon the rearview mirror.
Once the driver approaches a parking spot, the Parking Assist technology calculates the best position by which the car can successfully enter the spot, and the driver’s wheel automatically turns to make it happen. All the driver needs to do is control the accelerator and brakes to ease into the parking spot. And while it’s particularly appealing for those who struggle with parallel parking or reversing into parking spots, it’s one less thing to worry about on the road.
Since the Intelligent Parking Chair promo video was intended to draw attention to the company’s automobile technology, it is unlikely the smart chairs will hit market. While this is unfortunate for our fellow lazy office chums, the chair technology could inspire motorized mobility for those with disabilities. Imagine if paraplegics or those with paralysis could return to a designated spot by simply clapping their hands, pressing a button, saying a magic word, or even thinking a thought. Now that would be something worth celebrating.
Have a story tip? Message me at: