A Carbon Fiber "Second Leg"

Audi has announced that it will begin trial operations of its "Chairless Chair" research and development project at its own factory.

This device, dubbed the "chairless chair," is an exoskeleton made of carbon fiber (CFRP) weighing 2.4 kg. It is worn by placing a leather-covered seat against the user's buttocks and securing three points—the waist, knees, and ankles—with straps. The knee joints feature a joint and hydraulics to allow for optimal positioning according to the user's physique and posture.

By "sitting" with the Chairless Chair attached, the carbon fiber "legs" support body weight in an ergonomically optimal posture, making it an invisible chair – that's the secret behind its name. While the image of workers wearing it might suggest an uncomfortable semi-squatting position, focusing solely on the Chairless Chair reveals it to be a legless seat that conforms to the body.

This Chairless Chair was developed to support employees involved in the vehicle assembly process, enabling them to work while seated in any location. When seated on this device, it maintains a more ergonomically correct posture than simply standing, reducing strain on the legs and lower back. There is also anticipation that it could reduce absences due to physical reasons by lessening the physical burden on employees.

"Audi has been conducting cutting-edge ergonomics research for a long time. The Chairless Chair is one of many devices aimed at improving the working environment on the production line. Maintaining employee health, and furthermore, working in the most favorable posture based on ergonomics, contributes to improvements in productivity and quality," said an Audi executive.

At Audi's plant in Neckarsulm, Germany, three types of pilot test versions of the Chairless Chair have been introduced on the "A4" and "A6" lines starting this week. Testing is also scheduled to take place at the Ingolstadt plant from May. Audi intends to deploy this device across all production lines eventually.

This development is supported by an interdisciplinary team within the research division and is part of Audi's "workplace of the future" ergonomics strategy. This invisible chair is one outcome of Audi's efforts, which extend beyond vehicle lightweighting, Audi ultraanddiverse powertrains like "e-tron" and "g-tron", to encompass areas such as urban mobilityand working environments, Researching a Better Future for Society.