new products

This work pod built for two could be the new way to have face-to-face meetings in Japan

10 Comments
By Casey Baseel, SoraNews24

Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, spoken business communication has largely shifted to video conferences. However, holding a conversation over the Internet comes with a variety of potential problems. Technical glitches can make it hard to hear one another, and the effects of non-verbal communication are greatly diminished when they have to come through a monitor, with nuance and personality being lost along the way.

Japanese office supply company Kokuyo has a solution, though. After seeing the increased demand these days for enclosed one-person work pods, Kokuyo’s designers asked why not a work booth built for two, and the result is its new 1-on-1-Type Work Pod.

Much like other work pods, there’s a seat and desk, plus power outlets and USB ports. However, in front of you there’s a glass partition, and on the other side is a space for another person, accessed by its own door. This gives you and your counterpart your own separate, closed-off environment, in order to minimize the chance of viral transmission.

WP-3.jpg

Fresh air is cycled into each compartment every 30 seconds, so you won’t need to worry about running out of oxygen. You won’t need to learn sign language before your meeting either, as the work pod has speakers and microphones so that you can talk to each other from opposite sides of the glass. Speaking of which, the partition can also be lowered if you’re going to be using the pod all by yourself and want a little more space.

Kokuyo particularly recommends the booth for meetings where the topic matter is one where discretion is called for, and the participants might be uneasy discussing sensitive business matters over the Internet for security reasons.

Pricing is yet to be announced, but Kokuyo plans to start selling the 1-on-1-Type Work Pod this January.

Read more stories from SoraNews24.

-- The ultimate pajamas for lazy otaku girls are now on sale in Japan 【Photos】

-- Japan’s All-Alone Tents see skyrocketing demand during coronavirus pandemic

-- One-person seclusion tents from Japan let you turn part of your home into your private kingdom

© SoraNews24

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

10 Comments
Login to comment

Yes, same like @Oxy... said , this is not new, you can find it in prison complexes when lawyers or family members have their time limited talking with the delinquent.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Japan never embraced office cubicles, which have been so prevalent in the US and elsewhere, and now perhaps it will, 30 years later.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Looks like a confessional box in a church but a modern one if you ask me . I’ve seen people using them so I don’t have a problem with them . Let’s see in a year or two if they are still being used .

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Sorry, this gives me the same mental image of prison visitation rooms?

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Make sure HAL isn’t lip reading.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Why wouldn't you just wear masks and sit a little apart from each other in a your regular meeting room?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

My first impression as well, Oxycodin. Looks like a prison visit without room for the guard.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

This is getting a bit extreme. Looks like the American penitentiary where the family shows up to speak to the convict. lol

7 ( +7 / -0 )

Of it might be possible to find a large room to have that top secret meeting in for 10 minutes or so....

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites