An earthquake-proof bed.
If it sounds like make-believe, then it is. Or, at least, it was, until Chinese inventor Wang Wenxi patented the idea five years ago in 2010, and recently released an update on her plans.
It goes without saying: earthquakes can be disastrous and devastating. In some places they’re no more than harmless tremors. In others, like China, they can cause thousands of deaths and millions in long-term property damage. In the last dozen years or so there have been numerous earthquakes with epic consequences, all leaving their mark on various cities. This is most likely why Wang Wenxi has been trying to address the problem with her earthquake-proof bed concept.
An updated video with more details about the earthquake-proof bed concept was released recently, but has oddly since been removed. No explanation has been given, but the video was uploaded by another YouTube user, Selin Komma, which you can view below. The video shows a variety of earthquake-proof bed models, all of which drop sleepers into fortified enclosures within the bed in case of emergency. In case this video is also removed, there’s a cool little gif above of how the bed works.
MetaFilter has a link to a video of an earlier earthquake-proof bed model from 2012, uploaded by YouTube channel Cao Pan, representing the Liyang Global Import & Export Trade Co., Ltd (overseas agents). This video, which you can view below, also gives details on why the project was created, and what the bed is being designed for.
The video states that beds would come with a sensor that would automatically activate when heavy tectonic movement is detected, dropping couples into enclosures within. Enough food can be stored to last between 10-20 days, below the mattress and in the frame. Most impressive is that the beds can withstand heavy slabs of concrete from five meters above, and users can exit through holes in the frame, provided the surrounding area is safe and secure.
There are quite a few questions left unanswered, but there’s no denying how interesting a concept an earthquake-proof bed is. Do you live in an earthquake-heavy region? Would you make use of these beds? Let us know in the comments below and stay tuned for more details.
Source: Gizmodo via IGN, YouTube via MetaFilter