Gizmo Geek: The Massage Chair of the Future

The future may be uncertain, but here’s one thing we can promise you, it’s looking to be very comfortable. If you can afford it, of course. A luxury massage chair inspired by a sports car—that’s what the South Korean wellness company Bodyfriend showcased at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this January. A chair so high-tech that it can scan your body and figure out what sort of massage you need. Now, isn’t that something we’d all like to sink into after a hard day’s work?

Called the Aventar, this luxury massage chair does have the sleek, stylish looks of a sports car. The models on display at the CES were a shiny red and silver, at first impression a futuristic seat that wouldn’t seem out of place on the bridge of the USS Enterprise. However, a closer examination reveals that it is a gadget made for relaxation rather than a high-octane adventure, be it zipping around a racetrack or saving the galaxy from irate aliens. Designed to wrap your whole body in what is basically a high-tech hug, the Aventar massages your entire body, from your head and neck, through the shoulders, down your back, and let’s not forget the arms and legs, hands and feet.

By measuring your weight and height, leg length, shoulder width and so on, the chair can customise a massage for you, though there is a connected app through which you can fashion your own massages or choose one of the 25 presets available. In addition, there are Bluetooth speakers to hook up to your sound system or TV for the ultimate relaxation. It can also plug into your VR gaming system, with complementary vibrating and tilting options, for a more realistic experience. There is even a zero-gravity recline option to simulate floating on air. The chair also comes what is called a Zero Wall function, wherein, on reclining, the seating area automatically slides forward on its frame, thus preventing it from scraping the wall.

Bodyfriend position their massage chairs as health devices as well, with the Aventar having the capability to scan your body for stress levels and keep an eye on your weight, suggesting diet programmes if it sees the latter going up. Various patented technologies come into play to give you the most optimal relaxation and rejuvenation experience, including a heated massage and a shiatsu-like movement that massages pressure points in the same manner as in acupuncture therapy.

The Aventar is expected to enter the market in 2018. Pricing is not available yet, but as a flagship product, it is likely to be around the $10,000 mark. As a benchmark, Bodyfriend’s Rex-L introductory massage chair model rings the till at an impressive $8,000. Unfortunately, availability will be limited. Bodyfriend products are available in South Korea and soon launching in the US and China. In fact, the first US store is opening on 15 May in Los Angeles—which is where one should head if one wants to try out one of these luxury massage chairs without breaking the bank.