Experiments in workspace postural variations

MultiModal is a design experiment to improve the form and function of a desk. My own frustrations drive my curiosity in this space. Despite efforts to reduce stresses caused by extended sitting, current ergonomic and sit to stand desks only target a small handful of postural variations. MultiModal explores how a desk performs when a wide range of positions is available to the user. On one end, lowering the potential tabletop height affords a range of kneeling and squatting positions, creating a rich set of postures. Adding height to the top end makes it easy to incorporate with other movement devices. Those devices include walking treadmills, balance boards, and stationary bikes. Movable desk and monitor modules (fig. 1) allow for an infinite arrangement of postures. When used with a split keyboard (fig. 2), a curved desk encourages exterior lateral rotation, placing the shoulders in a supported posture. Motion sensors register time spent in various positions and a LED light strip offers gentle behavioral nudges. In future versions, a depth-sensing camera could detect postural imbalances. With that data, it could suggest positions, exercises, and stretches to restore muscle balance.