Social Bench – Automating Social Distancing
During COVID-19, people ignored social distancing in public seating. This bench automatically adjusts using pressure sensors and moving panels, ensuring safe distancing without the need for signs or enforcement.
The Issue: Ignored Distancing Guidelines in Public Spaces
During COVID-19, people followed mask mandates but often ignored seating distance rules. Our field study in Beijing revealed three common behaviors:
Most people followed the 3-feet distancing rule.
Some ignored seat warning signs and sat too close.
A few areas lacked any distancing signs, leading to random seating.
Without a physical barrier, these rules were easy to break.
The Solution: A Bench That Enforces Distancing Automatically
Instead of relying on warning signs or human enforcement, the Social Bench automatically adjusts seating distance using pressure sensors and moving panels:
Person sits → Sensors detect weight.
Side panels extend → Forces the next person to sit at a safe distance.
Seating adjusts dynamically → No need for warnings or confrontation.
If someone takes a seat
The adjacent panels will extend to the other side to force people to face opposite directions
The Social Bench features a stainless steel base with acrylic seating for durability. A top steel plate prevents slipping. Pressure sensors detect occupancy, triggering steering gears that move acrylic panels to enforce distancing automatically.
the DESIGN
See It in Action
Watch how the Social Bench automatically adjusts to ensure safe seating—no signs, no confrontation, just smart design.