Core77

Do Sleep On This One: Kawamura-Ganjavian's "Ostrich" Now on Kickstarter

By Ray Hu - September 19, 2012

in Kickstarter

Yesterday, we had a look at a couple stories about the far reaches of medical innovation, and although Kawamura-Ganjavian's "Ostrich Pillow" isn't a prosthetic by any stretch of the imagination, its therapeutic intent has a certain health-related resonance. The architecture and design studio is launching the product, best described as a combination of a hood and a pillow, through sister company Studio Banana Things on Kickstarter.OSTRICH PILLOW is a revolutionary new product [designed] to enable easy powernaps anytime, everywhere, [offering] a micro environment in which to take a cosy and comfortable power nap at ease. OSTRICH PILLOW has been designed to allow you to create a little private space within a public one, to relax and unwind. Its soothing soft interior shelters and isolates your head and hands (mind and body) for a short break, without needing to leave your desk, chair, bench or wherever you may be.

Of course, we first saw the enclosed pillow over a year ago, and the Kickstarter pitch notes that the positive response was a factor in Kawamura-Ganjavian's decision to move forward with the product. (While we were among the first blogs to post the "Ostrich," we were snubbed in the video... I guess no good deed goes unpunished.)

In any case, they've spent the past year perfecting the harbinger of the "new working-resting paradigm": the one-size-fits-all pillow is stuffed with synthetic microbeads and has an opening for one's mouth and nose, something like a padded balaclava with a cranial kangaroo pocket.

Besides napping, the "Ostrich" might make for a passable costume for an extraterrestrial in a B-movie.

Nearly half of the 300 early bird specials (get it?) were claimed as of press time, so backers can still preorder the "Ostrich Pillow" for 20% off the $75 regular price. (If you're on the fence, the FAQ is also chock full of useful facts, including both NASA and NBA players' co-sign on power naps.)

o

Favorite This
Q
6

Comment

Comments

VoiceOfReason

12 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

Riiiiight, so they suggest putting a hood over your head, and putting your hands in there as well... in public... and sleeping.... So not only can you not see anything, you can't really hear anything (especially if like the rest of society, you listen to an mp3 player), you can't readily defend yourself because your hands are inside??!! Great idea, friends. This is an invitation to be robbed or raped or murdered. Sleeping in public in general is already risky, but add this contraption into the mix and yeah... not a good idea. Duh.
!Report as spam
GChua

12 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

Hmm... wont want to be caught dead in it!!
!Report as spam
Eric

12 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

LOL, really, not even Admiral Ackbar would wear that! You have got to be kidding me, I am going to say it, Hideous!
!Report as spam
M4RK

12 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

Okay, so it let's me nap anywhere, but how am I supposed to get it there? I mean how many people can lug such a thing around? Especially at an airport where you already have so many things to carry and keep an eye on.

Might be good as an office comfort though. Just not travel worthy.
!Report as spam
Shireen

12 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

I love napping and this looks so cozy. In an urban/public environment I would only be concerned that this looks like an invitation to steal all my stuff.
!Report as spam
Jono

12 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

do one for kids
!Report as spam