DavidHugh Ltd creates Elysium, possibly the most advanced chair in the world
Elysium is a chair like no other. It is the result of years of scientific research, meticulous design and medical expertise, all of which combine to make it the most technologically advanced, supportive and luxurious chair ever created. The chair’s patented design means it is also the only chair in the world where body position can be controlled by hand movements, allowing the user to experience a feeling akin to weightlessness.
The technology that controls the movement of the innovative Elysium chair is derived from a mathematical model written by its creator – inventor, designer and founder of DavidHugh Ltd, Dr David Wickett.
DavidHugh Ltd was established in 2013, but the first concept for Elysium dates back to 2002, when it was created as a central part of David’s postgraduate studies in furniture design.
David then took the knowledge gained from the project into the professional arena, where he worked with a medical seating company. He was also a member of a bioengineering research group where he continued his work on the Elysium project. That research transferred to a PhD in science, where it formed a fundamental part of his doctoral thesis.
The user can treat the chair like an extension of their body, and manipulate it into the ideal position by subtly shifting their weight in the same manner as a rider might gently alter the path of a motorcycle. This is made possible by the fact that only six roller bearings and one linear bearing connect the user with the environment, resulting in frictionless continuous balance.
The chair places the user in a state of equilibrium that cannot be achieved anywhere else. Blood circulation improves, less demand is placed on the heart, unique support to the pelvis aligns joints in the lower spine, back muscle activity reduces, and the intervertebral discs rehydrate and open the spine. The experience is one of an altered state of consciousness with the potential for pain relief.
DavidHugh Ltd, the company behind the chair, partnered with Bang & Olufsen to launch Elysium to the public in a celebration of world leading design and innovation.
There will be a launch edition of 20 Elysium chairs made available to the world, making them unique future collector’s items. Each launch edition chair will feature a numbered, engraved gold panel, reading “DavidHugh Launch Edition”. David Wickett, the chair’s designer and creator, will personally deliver the 20 launch edition versions of Elysium.
David Wickett says: “Bang & Olufsen offers the perfect synergy with Elysium, as it too combines uncompromising design with incredible performance. Bang & Olufsen and Elysium speak the same visual language that is great to see together. The Knightsbridge Bang & Olufsen showroom is a modern, evocative yet relaxing space where each individual can find their own unique experience of Elysium.”
DavidHugh Ltd is based in Cambridge, England, where each chair is individually assembled by hand, using high-quality suppliers from the local area. Every surface of the chair, from every angle, gets the same precise attention to detail, from the carbon fibre skeleton at the chair’s core, to the milled aluminium mechanisms and stitched leather work.
The Elysium Chair – Where and how
Elysium will be on display at the high-end audio-visual technology experts’ flagship showroom in Knightsbridge, West London. Once there, it will be launched to the press and public, where they will be able to experience the chair’s potential for aiding relaxation and aiding pain relief.
Elysium is priced at £20,000 and is available to buy through DavidHughLtd.
Contact 01223 811198 or visit davidhugh.com for more information.
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