( CNN ) -- It 's like a chair that is n't there , but magically appears whenever you need it . It 's called the Chairless Chair and you wear it on your legs like an exoskeleton : when it 's not activated , you can walk normally or even run . And then , at the touch of a button , it locks into place and you can sit down on it . Like a chair that is now there . `` The idea came from wanting to sit anywhere and everywhere , and from working in a UK packaging factory when I was 17 , '' says Keith Gunura , the 29-year old CEO and co-founder of noonee , the Zurich-based startup behind the device , `` standing for hours on end causes a lot of distress to lower limbs , but most workers get very few breaks and chairs are rarely provided , because they take up too much space . So I thought that the best idea was to strap an unobtrusive chair directly to myself . '' The device never touches the ground , which makes it easier to wear : a belt secures it to the hips and it has straps that wrap around the thighs . A variable damper engages and supports the bodyweight , which is directed towards the heels of the shoes . These are specially designed and part of the mechanism , but an alternate version works with any footwear and touches the ground only when in a stationary position . The user just moves into the desired pose and then powers the device , which currently runs for about 24 hours on a single 6V battery . `` In addition to resting your leg muscles , it also provides optimal posture , '' adds noonee CTO and co-founder Bryan Anastisiades `` it keeps your back straight and can reduce the occurrence of bad postures for both healthy workers and those recovering from muscle related injuries . '' Sammy Margo , a chartered physiotherapist , told CNN : `` As physiotherapists we actively encourage people to move throughout the day . This device looks like a great compromise in that it allows the wearer to move as well as sit intermittently . I would n't encourage its use for long term sitting , however it is suitable for people who need to vary their tasks . '' The Chairless Chair is attracting interest and production line trials are set to start in Germany with BMW in September and with Audi later this year . While sitting down all day is so detrimental to health that it will shorten life expectancy , standing up in order to work is also a source of problems . Physical strain , repetitive movements and poor posture can lead to conditions called Musculoskeletal disorders ( MSDs ) , which are now one of the leading causes of lost workday injury and illness . In 2011 , MSDs accounted for 33 percent of all worker injuries and illnesses in the U.S. with over 378,000 cases , according to data from the United States Department of Labor . In Europe , over 40 million workers are affected by MSDs attributable to their job , according to a study entitled Fit For Work Europe and conducted across 23 European countries . The Chairless Chair represents an innovative approach to this problem , which is currently addressed mostly through ergonomics of the workplace . Although unique , it shares some similarities with the Swiss Milking Stool , a monopod used by farmers to milk cows , which dates back to the early 19th Century . It had straps that secured it to the wearer and required some practice to be used due to the single source of support . It was phased out by the rise of the milking parlor . An aluminium and carbon fibre frame keeps the overall weight of the Chairless Chair at just two kilograms , so it does n't burden the wearer with too much excess weight and only marginally impairs movement . And in the future , it could be fitted with smart motors able to infer the user 's intentions and offer the ideal posture without even the need to press a button . This could open up additional daily life applications , says Gunura : `` Imagine if you had one of these while you were riding on a crowded train : it would make for a much more comfortable commute . But we 're also thinking about people behind the counter in retail , farmers picking fruit and even surgeons in the operating room . A chair would be impractical , but the Chairless Chair would fit in nicely . '' Read more from Make , Create , Innovate : . British inventor claims world 's first flying bicycle . Spider lessons : How to mend your body with silk . The artificial leaf that could power the world .
Audi is an exoskeleton that locks into place when you sit down . It allows the user to rest their leg muscles and can improve posture , according to the U.S. startup behind the device . Audi and The Chairless Chair are set to conduct production line trials 17 .