This month at the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Nevada, Humanscale showcased connected solutions for the smart office and reinforced its role as a key innovator in the health & wellness space. Among more than 3,900 exhibitors, a record-breaking number, Humanscale demonstrated its expertise as the leading manufacturer for ergonomic tools that improve health, comfort and performance in the workplace. Creating a constant buzz in and around the booth, Humanscale’s immersive Gravity Room drew hundreds of attendees and, thanks to a fun camera trick, showcased how workspaces can and should move us. New product introductions on display reinforced this concept. Visitors had the opportunity to catch the first look at Humanscale’s ErgoIQ and OfficeIQ Insights and demo M/Connect 2 and QuickStand Eco.
Designed to digitize and streamline ergonomic evaluations, ErgoIQ promises to bring optimal health and comfort to more professionals. The new web-based program will evaluate workstations to identify ergonomic adjustments, allowing employers to complete ergonomic evaluations for the entire workforce in under 20 minutes. While ErgoIQ will offer companies a better picture of employee well-being, OfficeIQ Insights will provide a more accurate analysis of occupancy for facilities managers and human resource professionals. Using sensor technology, the program will measure desk, conference room and office utilization data.
Humanscale debuted their most advanced docking station to date, M/Connect 2, to enhance connectivity for work environments that practice hoteling, hot-desking or “bring your own device” policies. This updated dock offers USB-C charging and supports connection to higher-resolution monitors. M/Connect 2 maintains the product’s original dual-level design, allowing easy access to user ports while permanent cables remain hidden beneath the work surface. By consolidating and repositioning cables and cords, M/Connect 2 creates more efficient use of the work surface. It also boasts backwards compatibility, so users can connect regardless of their device’s make or model. M/Connect 2 works in tandem with any of Humanscale’s monitor arms.
Smart offices also need flexible workstations that support well-being. Easy-to-use and install with a sleek, modern aesthetic, QuickStand Eco is the newest addition to Humanscale’s award-winning line of sit/stand solutions. By utilizing fewer parts and only sustainable materials, QuickStand Eco is healthy for both users and the environment. Featuring a simple setup, small surface footprint, and portable design, it’s a great option for users new to sit/stand desks. QuickStand Eco’s retrofittable design is also an economical choice for both corporate and home offices, allowing users to transform existing desks into active workstations. Users will find that QuickStand Eco’s innovative counterbalance mechanism allows for instant, effortless movement and custom height adjustability.
To underscore the importance of movement throughout the day to maintain a healthy lifestyle, Humanscale announced new study results from University of Pittsburgh on the effect of alternating between sitting and standing on blood pressure at the show. CES attendees had the opportunity to learn more about the study results and Humanscale’s mission to bring activity to the office during The Fitness and Tech Summit panel, “Workplace Fitness: Whistle While You Workout.” Humanscale’s Product Director, Jim Kidd, shared insights on wellness in the workplace and the key role user experience plays in changing behavior. He noted, “If things are complicated, they’re never going to be used.” Kidd explained how Humanscale’s innovative sit/stand solutions utilize a patented counterbalance mechanism rather than an electric mechanism. The design allows the workstation to move with the user, rising or lowering as quickly as they change postures.