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Lying Down on the Job
Even as laptops have replaced typewriters, today’s desks remain flat surfaces that often encourage slouching. Bay Area startup Altwork has plowed more than $10 million and 80,000 hours of research into about 15 prototypes and 10 patents for a workstation that CEO Che Voigt says acts as an extension of the body. It consists of a dentist’s-office-style reclining seat, with an attached computer monitor stand, laptop stand and magnetic desk surface, all of which adjust with the push of a button as the user stands, sits or lies down. The magnetic surface holds a magnetic keyboard and mouse so they don’t fall off. “If it’s not comfortable, you can’t do your best work,” says Mr. Voigt. Altwork offers two models priced at $4,650 and $7,650 and has shipped 1,000 units world-wide since 2016, he says. Mr. Voigt hopes future versions will be able to monitor stress levels and provide cooling and heating.