A cafe in Tokyo will be installing vertical pods in which customers can take naps while standing upright.
Standing sleeping booth: The Nescafé Harajuku invites employees and students to take a power nap inside an 8.4-feet-high and four-feet-wide standing sleeping booth called Giraffenap. The pods were designed by the Hokkaido-based Koyoju Plywood Corporation to improve business and mental performance.
“There are probably many people who have been unable to get rid of their physical fatigue and stress and have endured sleepiness and continued to work,” the company told DailyMail. “Now, we are approaching an era where we break down such stereotypes. Take a nap while standing and recover your mind and body in a short time.”
Giraffenap’s features: According to the designers, Giraffenaps provide biomechanical assistance, such as pads and platforms, to help humans sleep upright. The designers say that it is possible to reach the pre-REM stage during their recommended 20-minute Giraffenap slumber.
The soundproof booths come in two designs: the futuristic “spacia” and the rustic “forest.” They are equipped with a smoke detector, ventilation fan and ceiling and floor LED lighting. However, the pods can only hold individuals who are no more than 6.5 feet tall and weigh no more than 220 pounds.
The company is also recommending the pods to wellness-minded offices or areas that lack bed or floor space. Giraffenaps will be installed at the Harajuku Nescafé from Aug. 22 to Sept. 17, and will reportedly be available for purchase in late December or early January.
