If you work in an open plan office then headphones are an essential accessory for allowing you to maintain focus and be productive. But it's still possible to easily get distracted by movements in your peripheral vision. Don't worry, though, Panasonic solved that problem!
As The Japan Times reports, a team in Japan working at Panasonic Corp. created a new wearable device called the Wear Space. The name sounds silly, but the actual device makes you look, well, ridiculous.
The Wear Space combines wireless headphones and a U-shaped, fabric covered band that wraps around the back of your head to act as a pair of blinkers for your vision. The headphones are noise-canceling so you won't hear any background office noise. That may include lots of laughter as colleagues walk past your desk. The band limits your vision and is meant to create a personal space in which to work.
Kang Hwayoung, who was on the team that created Wear Space, explained, "When someone is wearing the Wear Space, you can clearly see that the wearer wants to focus. We think this is quite important." At the same time, the wearer clearly can't see anything other than what's directly in front of them.
Weighing only 330 grams it shouldn't be too much of a strain on your neck to wear this personal space all day. No research has been conducted to test whether Wear Space works to increase focus and concentration, so you could end up looking a bit silly at your desk for no real gain. That small detail hasn't stopped Panasonic seeking funding for Wear Space, though.
A crowdfunding campaign is being run which is limited to Japan. The goal is to raise around $130,000 and sell at least 500 Wear Space headsets for $245 each. That's quite expensive for what is effectively a piece of fabric attached to some wireless headphones. You could probably make your own Wear Space using some card, glue, and an old pair of headphones for just a few dollars.