At IFA 2026, Arbrest introduced COVE, a dynamic ergonomic chair designed specifically around women’s body proportions and working postures. COVE also won an IFA Innovation Award 2026 in the Best in Design category. I met with the Arbrest team at IFA and briefly tried the prototype shown on the show floor.
Left: the Cove Dynamic Ergonomic Chair for Women – Top right: remote control to operate the motorized lumbar support located behind the chair in a small box; see photo bottom right
Exactly as medical research has historically focused on male health, ergonomic chairs have largely been designed around the male body. COVE takes the opposite approach, using women’s proportions as the starting point rather than adapting an existing chair afterward. At the IFA Innovation Awards ceremony, I explained on stage that our judging panel saw this unique design approach as one of COVE’s key innovations.
Arbrest says it spent eight months studying women’s physical characteristics, sitting habits, and working postures. Its 7-Point Fit Calibration addresses seat height, width and depth, lumbar position, armrests, headrest, and footrest, targeting users approximately 150 to 175 cm (4’11” to 5’9″) tall. The design also includes a headrest with space for ponytails and wide controls that are easier to operate with long nails.
The chair is also designed to move with the body. A 12-zone backrest responds to movements across the shoulders, back, and lumbar area, while five synchronized support points connect the headrest, armrests, backrest, seat, and footrest. COVE supports a 16-degree forward tilt, along with 105-, 120-, and 135-degree reclining positions.
Another interesting feature is Active Stretch. Using a small handheld remote — shown in my photo — one touch activates the motorized lumbar support. As the chair reclines, the lumbar section extends forward while the dual-tier footrest supports the legs, creating a stretch through the lower back and hips.
The COVE shown at IFA was still a prototype, and the company plans further improvements before its planned crowdfunding launch on Kickstarter later in Q4 2026.
Filed in . Read more about Chair, Design, IFA and IFA 2026.