Interactions in a World of Intelligent Products - A Case Study of a Smart and Learning Office Chair

This paper presents challenges associated with developing Smart, Learning, and Physically Adapting products. Until now, smart products mainly collects user data and digitally adapts user interfaces and information feedback loops from the data-analysis. This paper is focused on the next stage of smart products, where products are additionally physically acting on detected user behaviour. It presents an applied case, where an office chair was equipped with pressure sensors. We demonstrate concrete examples of how users in the future could interact with what we see as a new generation of smart products. Additionally, we bring the theme to a general level by discussing the challenges for designers to consider when designing the next generation of smart products.