Sculptor Michael Candy’s Walking Chairs Usher in an Uncanny Era for Furniture
Brooklyn artist Michael Candy has pushed the boundaries of furniture design with his latest creation: a pair of robotic chairs that don’t just sit – they walk. These chairs, aptly named “Chair 2,” exhibit a remarkable ability to navigate their surroundings, avoiding obstacles and calmly “ambling” through space.
Each chair is a masterpiece of both art and engineering. With a contemporary design featuring sleek lines on its seat, backrest, and armrests, the chairs hide a sophisticated mechanism within. Thin, mechanized legs project downwards, mounted to the chair beneath the armrests and along the sides. These legs move individually, rhythmically “walking” the chair forward.
“The original sculpture was made on a limited budget with mostly found resources,” Candy told Dezeen. “Some 15 years later I took the challenge to see what a contemporary version of this early work might look like, given the resources, skills and experiences I’ve gained during this time.”
### How Do They Walk?
“Chair 2” is powered by a custom-built battery pack that provides up to six hours of autonomous operation. The battery, along with other components like sensors, mechanical parts, and electronics, are cleverly concealed within the seat and armrests of the chair.
Candy utilized 3D-printing for some components, while the chair’s frame is constructed from CNC-machined aluminium and stainless steel, carefully welded together. The walking mechanism itself is surprisingly simple, relying on a timing belt and a notched rubber loop.
Python scripting governs the chairs’ movements, allowing them to navigate their surroundings autonomously. Sensors constantly measure distances to objects, enabling the chairs to smoothly turn or reverse when encountering obstacles.
### A Blur Between Familiar and Strange
Candy explains that “Rather than sitting still, Chair 2 resists inertia and walks – an uncanny animation that blurs the porous boundary between the familiar and the strange, inviting a reimagining of the object’s everyday identity.”
Although designed for exhibition, the robust construction allows it to support a human. However, Candy notes that sitting in the chair would result in subtle wobbling due to the unique balance required for its four-legged walking mechanism.
Chair 2 originated during Candy’s residency at The Michigan Central x Newlab Art + Technology Residency.
