Scope: IoT Sensor Integration, Concept Development, UX/UI Design & Ergonomic Technology
The Brody WorkPod was designed to solve a critical challenge in the modern open-office and educational landscape: the lack of "deep work" spaces. As a Senior Designer, I led the efforts to transform the Brody from a high-performance ergonomic chair into a "smart" micro-environment.
By integrating sensing technology and digital interfaces, we created a piece of furniture that not only supports the body in a state of "flow" but also communicates with the broader building ecosystem to optimize space utilization.
Role & Contribution
The Problem: In open environments, workers are interrupted every 11 minutes on average. My goal was to create a "cocoon" that physically and digitally shielded the user.
Strategic Vision: I worked on the concept of the "Smart Connected Brody," moving beyond mere furniture to create a workstation that recognizes the user, tracks occupancy, and signals availability to the rest of the office.
Occupancy & Presence Detection: I led the integration of sensors within the seat and work surface to detect real-time presence. This allowed the Brody to "check itself in" when a user sat down, solving the issue of manual room/desk booking.
Ergonomic Feedback: Worked on embedding sensors that could monitor posture and duration of use, providing data that helps users maintain healthy habits during long focus sessions.
System Architecture: Collaborated with engineering to ensure the hardware was discrete and didn't compromise the "LiveLumbar" support or the aesthetic of the privacy screens.
