Anti-loneliness hugging chair that’s always on hand for a cuddle is unveiled

A Japanese company has come up with a chair that’s always ready to give a comforting cuddle. The “tranquility chair” is built in the shape of a larger-than-life fabric doll with a friendly face and a fetching hat, but more importantly, it has long arms that wrap around the user in an affectionate embrace. Around a quarter of Japan’s population is currently over the age of 65, a figure expected to rise to 40 percent in the coming decades.

It makes you feel safe. Anyone can use it, but it is designed for older people.

UniCare spokesman

The chair is priced at 46,000 yen (£260) and there is also a version adapted for wheelchair users. It was presented at the International Home Care and Rehabilitation Exhibition in Tokyo by sellers UniCare. Alongside specialist vehicles, beds and toilets on display at the three-day show were a variety of unusual products designed to lift the spirits of older people, who increasingly live on their own. Also on display were baby seal robots known as “Paro” that have been making a splash in therapeutic treatment since 2004.

Odd News hugging chair