This post will make some of you say, wha!? For others, awe. German designer Stefan Ulrich created a shape-changing object, not a pillow, using artificial muscle technology. The concept? To help relieve loneliness...awe.
Okay, it took a few reads to understand this. In extreme layman’s terms, the Funktionide changes shape and texture when an electric current is passed through it, creating movement. Are you following me? The Funktionide simulates a living, breathing being.
Seems futuristic for sure, but part of me wants to snuggle up with the Funktionide. And maybe make it dinner.
No word on pricing as it's still in conceptual stages. Watch a video of how the object simulates breathing here.





Comments (37)
Seems like a pet would be cheaper and better at relieving loneliness, seeing as it is an actual living, breathing companion that you don't need to run an electrical current into. I guess if you don't like animals or real people this might be the product for you?
even with the shape shifter that guys still looks sad.
This seemed like a cool idea till I saw the creepy ass video.
O_O
They will need to revamp their marketing of this product. More comforting, less frightening.
gross gross gross gross
wait you said "relive" loneliness; can I assume you meant "relieve"?
There's something a little creepy about this to me. It's a giant pulsating blob! It sort of makes me think of a bad science fiction movie. However, I guess it's not too different in concept from those stuffed animals with a simulated heartbeat that people sometimes give to puppies to ease the transition to their new home.
I see we are one step closer to sex robots.
okaayyy--can understand the need for interaction but as littlebrownbird writes, why not a pet? this seems to be an exercise in narcissism at its highest level. the fact that the person is also writing a research project about & filming his experience (objectifying himself to the nth degree!) places this whole experience firmly in the realm of the creepy & slightly repugnant. on the plus side, i really like this guy's minimalist space. maybe this whole thing is a joke? if so, seems to be too contrived & not that funny.
Actually, I said "relieving" and that is what I meant. :)
I think it's more conceptual art than actual product! I don't expect to see it on late night TV any time soon.
ok...i'm simultaneously creeped out and interested.
Okay, that's absolutely terrifying. The part where it slithers into bed? Holy crap, going to have nightmares about blob monsters coming to eat me now!
They should attach a fleece blanket to it and call it the snugtionide.
Why is Depressed-Dude humping a blind and finless Beluga Whale -
- does Greenpeace know about this?
"Why is Depressed-Dude humping a blind and finless Beluga Whale -
- does Greenpeace know about this?"
holy shit that was funny.
littlebrownbird: The issue with pets is lifestyle. I would personally love to have a pet, but my schedule is erratic and my living space small. While I know people in my situation with pets I personally would feel irresponsible having one because it honestly wouldn't get cared for appropriately.
Ongoing regular relationships are a bitch for the same reason, but at least another human is fully capable of protesting their treatment if they find it unfair. If you get a dog the poor thing just ends up trapped and takes it out on your couch.
Ick.
I want a room full of those!
hummm.... that could be a far better performance piece than most of the stuff at SFMoMa.
Uhm... that video is creepy... the way it crawls into bed with him. And the bad photoshop to simulate movement.
Ok. Just looking at the pictures, it looks like a soft cloud and I kinda really want to snuggle with it.
But then I watched the video, and I am so creeped out. The whole the with it climbing in bed and him petting it. Um no.
It is a provocative idea, especially in its relation to human loneliness.
In the pictures, it reminds me of a futuristic, body pillow type of thing. The idea of loneliness is so pervasive in the pics.
Now off to watch the video to see if those funny comments live up my expectations!...
uuuummm, I'm glad that I wasn't the only one creeped out by the video. I like the unusual and weird but this is just a little disturbing if you ask me.
Okaaaaaay....
LOVE IT... the couch, I mean.
Why is he sleeping in the crack between 2 twin mattresses? Yeah the blob creeping into bed is pretty disturbing. This guy is definitely serial killer material.
It's a giant, expressionless bean. Weird.
This isn't a prototype or product - it's a theory, really, about where we seem to be headed. And anyone who has ever been in a room with someone who prefers their Blackberry to actual people knows that in some ways, we are already there. The white blob is merely a device to communicate the idea. It is in no way a suggested product.
When I read the little introduction, what I pictured was not the white blob moving pillow. It was shelves of moisturizer and shaving cream, dish soap and laundry detergent all gyrating, moving, slinking, beckoning to be purchased. Like puppies in a pet shop begging to be taken home.
Seriously genius.
shiver. that video is like what i imagine robot porn to be.
He's cute... I'll cuddle with him. Just get rid of that CREEPY, CREEPY THING!
Lemme think about that... I don't know if I could get into someone who would create that monstrosity. Hmmmm, have some things to think about...
it's a schmoo!!!!
I love everyone's comments and take on this. One of my favorite post!
LoriSF, that was funny! Ewww!
"It creeps and leaps and slides and glides across the floor."
I loved The Blob, but never wanted to sleep with it.
uhhhh, I'm with Kate (NC). It's cool and all, but I wouldn't want to spoon with it. And I feel sorry for the guy in the video; he needs antidepressants, or a girlfriend. Come to think of it, this reminds me of some antidepressant medication commercial I've seen on television.
ps- my boyfriend just watched the vid, and asked "but where are the holes?"
... and I'm thinking that feature will be available on the Breathing Body Pillow 2.0
I'm sorry but this looks like a huge, flaccid, throbbing d**k. Anyone that's been there (i know there are quite a few of us on this blog) knows it's pointless and boring.
Not even as conceptual art... this guy needs help...
Bob looks like a comfy body or floor pillow. Id prefer not to have one that breathes, though.
The couch, however, is excellent- more info?