"OpenSeed, the startup behind the Iris Pod, launched in 2018 after founder Jonathan Marcoschamer attended a 10-day silent meditation course. He wanted to keep meditating during the day, but was working in an open plan office. "I couldn't find anywhere to meditate," he says. He also wanted to help make meditation more accessible for other people. So he started work on a prototype of a pod that could sit in a larger space."
"The panels, with wood sandwiched between two layers of felt fabric, help isolate sound so you don't hear coworkers when you're inside. On a tablet, you choose a program-a meditation to help boost energy, for example, or to calm you down after a stressful meeting. Music helps guide your breath, synchronized with the lighting. The floor and seat gently vibrate. Lavender and other essential oils offer aromatherapy. The sessions are designed to last around 10 minutes."
OpenSeed launched the Iris Pod in 2018 after Jonathan Marcoschamer attended a 10-day silent meditation course and sought a private place to meditate in open-plan offices. Early prototypes were installed at firms including Deloitte and Morgan Stanley, where pods see up to 16 uses per day. The current version, developed with Fuseproject and Tuux, enters production for delivery in early 2026. The pod uses wood and wool felt panels to dampen sound, synchronized lighting and music to guide breath, floor and seat vibrations, and aromatherapy. Sessions are offered via a tablet and typically last about 10 minutes.
Read at Fast Company
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