Hermit nap station provides peace and quiet for bloggers on the move (video)

As many a nomadic modern road warrior knows all too well, while you can get Internet access, juice for your laptop, and phone service on-the-go, privacy is at a premium. Thankfully, an Australian Design Science student named Kerry Jia Yi Lin has developed a little something called Hermit -- an "experimental interactive shell" that uses RFID tags to know when you've crossed your arms and set your head down for a nap. Once you've assumed the position, the felt shell closes above you, providing "a personal refuge in a communal environment." Sounds nice and peaceful, no? If you'd like to see it in action, we've got a video for you after the break. If you prefer a low-tech version, we suppose you could just throw a coat over your head.

[Eugene Action Posted Jan 25th 2010 4:12PM]

LOL !!!

[Steve2000 Posted Jan 25th 2010 4:23PM]

@Eugene Action

We have officially run out of ideas.

[Average White Boy Posted Jan 25th 2010 4:34PM]

@Eugene Action

I always used my coat as a protective cocoon. Since it had a lining it muffled outside sounds and kept me cozy. I loved catching zzzz's at lunchtime. My problem was co-workers playing pranks, like banging on my desk while I'm happily dreaming. All employers should have sleep capsules for a brief reality escape.

I almost did turn into a butterfly because I came out refreshed and ready for the rest of the day while my co-workers were ready to crash.

[PeterJames Posted Jan 25th 2010 5:18PM]

This is a joke.... on the entire human race.

[MR Posted Jan 25th 2010 5:51PM]

@Eugene Action Does it come with RFID tags for your luggage, so you know when someone is walking away with them?!

[nitewulf Posted Jan 25th 2010 9:52PM]

@PeterJames you need to be chinese to understand that ... :D in other words, needs to be chinese to invent something like this

[DaveBach Posted Jan 25th 2010 10:47PM]

@Eugene Action

Reminds me of one of those pill bugs that rolls up into a ball when you touch them...or a piece of trash that needs to go to the dump.

[DaveBach Posted Jan 25th 2010 10:50PM]

@DaveBach

I totally fell asleep at the keyboard while typing that last comment and when I awoke I felt strangely underprotected.

[Rapt0r Posted Jan 25th 2010 11:34PM]

@Eugene Action

Makes me proud to be an Australian
PS: Happy Australia Day

[Average White Boy Posted Jan 26th 2010 12:34AM]

@Steve2000

Seems like overkill. I'd just use a simple blanket with a "Do Not Disturb" sign sewn on.

[Tegdagne Posted Jan 26th 2010 6:07AM]

@(Unverified)

What's race got to do with it ?

[Kid Red Posted Jan 26th 2010 10:31AM]

@Eugene Action

So now those isolated, anti-social hermits who live on their blogs can live amongst the rest of civilization publicly. Only inside a head tent.

[zedsded Posted Jan 25th 2010 4:14PM]

Holy hell, that's creepy.

[ljm Posted Jan 25th 2010 4:22PM]

@zedsded
And a great way to make sure you never get laid...

[Wwhat Posted Jan 25th 2010 5:20PM]

@ljm
You don't know women.

[DougieBear Posted Jan 25th 2010 6:09PM]

@ljm

Can't guarantee you won't get robbed though, when you come to your senses and try to escape the thing while chasing the thief down the road.

[ljm Posted Jan 25th 2010 6:15PM]

@Wwhat
How dare you...I know woman, I chat with them all day long from the confines of my servo laden, cloth covered hermit dungeon of a man cave.

[Wwhat Posted Jan 25th 2010 7:35PM]

@ljm
I stand corrected, my bad.

[Jeff Posted Jan 25th 2010 4:16PM]

Crapgadget 2010?

[Dking7 Posted Jan 25th 2010 4:25PM]

@Jeff who knows maybe there will be another creation...

[Jeff Posted Jan 25th 2010 5:50PM]

@Dking7

No, I'm pretty sure this takes the cake.

[Please forgive me Posted Jan 25th 2010 9:22PM]

@Jeff

Hey, you stole my line ;) . I was just going to say CRAPGADGET?

[Jeff Posted Jan 25th 2010 9:58PM]

@Please forgive me

Please forgive me

[cosmicinglewood Posted Jan 25th 2010 4:16PM]

^^ it needs to block the light better and some kind of active sound dampening.

[sarahdg Posted Jan 25th 2010 4:17PM]

i think you do get the privacy because a lot of people will stay away because it is creepy.

[GMT365 Posted Jan 25th 2010 4:19PM]

@sarahdg

totally agree

[Inf Posted Jan 25th 2010 4:30PM]

@sarahdg lol, 100% agree

[Swordrune10 Posted Jan 25th 2010 4:56PM]

i thinks we're teachin the robots how to eat us! o_O

[Wwhat Posted Jan 25th 2010 5:23PM]

@Swordrune10
Yeah on the video it looks like the desk is taking a bite of human.

[onlymyrailgun Posted Jan 25th 2010 4:17PM]

I've seen portable toilet bags sold in stores. I think I sh*t my pants.

[Slaarg Posted Jan 25th 2010 4:17PM]

Om nom nom nom

[HardToBelieve Posted Jan 25th 2010 5:38PM]

@Slaarg

That made the nerd in me laugh. Since I'm 99% nerd it took me a while to stop. The other one percent wants to tell you that this gadget is really creepy.

[fourblades Posted Jan 25th 2010 6:01PM]

@Slaarg hahaha I was about to say:
Om nom nom nom says the table.

[GMT365 Posted Jan 25th 2010 4:18PM]

Who would be willing to carry this thing around just to take a nap?

[theswiss Posted Jan 25th 2010 4:19PM]

cool, no more embarrassing pictures while taking a nap at the university library ...

[jlgrobe Posted Jan 25th 2010 7:08PM]

@theswiss
instead, you will get embarrasing videos

[N900 Posted Jan 25th 2010 4:19PM]

It's revolutionary!

Now if you excuse me I'm gonna go take a nap in my cornucopia.

[AstonishNick Posted Jan 25th 2010 4:20PM]

Rumor has it the second version will allow you to emerge as a butterfly when done napping.

[TIMMAH Posted Jan 25th 2010 4:22PM]

Couldn't you just put in a bed under your desk?

[notbuttershift1 Posted Jan 25th 2010 4:22PM]

throw some ambient noises in and i'm sold.

i need some "gentle waterfall" while i sleep in class

[onlymyrailgun Posted Jan 25th 2010 4:39PM]

@notbuttershift1
Using this in class is an instant win! Then you turn up the ambient noise to very loud...

[Spiny Norman Posted Jan 25th 2010 4:42PM]

@notbuttershift1

I almost guarantee you that the first time you use this one of your friends will walk over and pour a bottle of water over your head. You'll have your gentle waterfall effect alright...

[MoonWalkerCTE Posted Jan 25th 2010 4:24PM]

Engadget you should sue them for using your color.

[kopis Posted Jan 25th 2010 4:26PM]

ROFL do they realy expect to sell any of these ? IMO this is a mugging waiting to happen if used in public

[Andir Posted Jan 25th 2010 5:53PM]

@kopis Quick, while he's caught under that thing... grab his wallet and run!

[kopis Posted Jan 25th 2010 6:10PM]

@Andir Haha mugged twice over 1 item firstly mugged @ perchace then when they use it. I'd love to see some nab in one of these things out on the street id just have to wip out a pair of sissors and cut the cables :0

[kopis Posted Jan 25th 2010 6:20PM]

@Andir BTW I did have to check a few times check and it took me a good hour but I do beleve thats a girl HAHAHA ;)

[Andir Posted Jan 26th 2010 9:53AM]

@kopis Yeah, I think it's a girl in the picture, but I don't know many girls that keep their wallets in their back pocket easily snatched if they hide under this thing.

[Plazmic Flame Posted Jan 25th 2010 4:26PM]

I can see the youtube videos now, someone getting smacked in the head with a blunt object while inside one of these things, lol

[locknroll Posted Jan 25th 2010 4:27PM]

Isn't this just some part of a nefarious plan to steal your wallet?