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Shiftwave is demonstrating its Arc reclining chair and Active Regulation software at Eudemonia in West Palm Beach from Nov. 6-8. The $20,000 system combines pulsed pressure waves, guided breathwork and audio, while the company’s early field studies report self-reported benefits but lack control groups.
Shiftwave is demonstrating its Arc wellness chair and accompanying Active Regulation software at Eudemonia in West Palm Beach, Florida, from Nov. 6-8. The $20,000 chair combines pulsed pressure waves, guided breathwork and audio experiences; the company says the system is intended to help users manage stress, support recovery and prepare for performance.
The Arc is a reclining chair designed by Copenhagen-based industrial designer Jakob Wagner, whose previous work includes headphones for Bang & Olufsen, according to the source report. Shiftwave says the device pairs its hardware with software that recommends sessions based on a user’s reported state, goals and available time. The company describes this combined system as its Active Regulation platform.
The software includes a library of more than 100 protocols developed with trainers, psychologists, sports performance coaches and researchers. Some sessions use Shiftwave’s patented BioDrive technology, which measures a user’s pulse through a chair sensor and adjusts vibration patterns during a session. Users can track sessions using four company-defined measures—Engagement, Resilience, Renewal and Inner Form—and connect wearable devices.
The platform is available through an iPhone and iPad app, with Android support planned. Shiftwave’s existing Pro chair is also compatible. The company expects the first Arc deliveries in mid-February; the supplied report does not specify a year for that delivery date.
A High-Cost Bet on Guided Regulation
The launch brings together a dedicated piece of hardware and software intended to tailor sessions, rather than presenting the chair as a standalone relaxation product. That could matter to sports and performance programs already using Shiftwave equipment, as well as to individual buyers considering a chair priced at $20,000. The platform’s session recommendations, biometric adjustments and tracking metrics are central to the company’s case for a broader system.
However, the price and the early evidence warrant careful distinction. Shiftwave’s research overview reports positive changes after sessions, but those findings do not establish that the technology caused the changes or performs better than rest or expectation. The chair is being marketed for stress, recovery and performance support; the cited material does not establish clinical efficacy.
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What Shiftwave’s Research Shows
Shiftwave says its technology uses vibration and guided breathing with the aim of influencing the autonomic nervous system, which governs involuntary functions such as heart rate and aspects of the stress response. The company describes its sessions as alternating stimulation and calming, with users seeking to move between alertness and relaxation. These are descriptions of the product’s intended use, not proof that a particular outcome will occur for each user.
In an October 2026 research overview, the company said 11 completed field studies involving 362 participants found improvements in self-reported stress, anxiety, pain and relaxation after Shiftwave sessions. One pilot involved 22 NCAA Division I athletes at UC Santa Barbara, who reported improved mental readiness and reduced stress following sessions over two weeks. The company also says research has involved firefighters, police officers and military personnel.
The report notes a key limitation: completed field studies did not include control groups. The findings therefore cannot determine whether changes were due to the sessions rather than rest, expectations or other factors. Shiftwave says eight controlled trials are in progress or awaiting approval, including work involving military personnel and researchers at Ohio State University and Appalachian State University.
“We saw in the lab that gentle wasn’t enough to get people unstuck, so we kept adding power until we could reliably create a shift.”
— Mike North, Shiftwave co-founder and CEO
Evidence and Availability Still Developing
Controlled evidence remains limited in the information provided. The 11 completed studies were field studies without control groups, and the reported outcomes were self-reported. The source material does not provide study designs, publication details, effect sizes or independent evaluations that would allow readers to judge the strength of the findings.
It is also unclear when the eight controlled trials will begin or report results, which users will be eligible for them, and whether findings will be published in peer-reviewed journals. Shiftwave says Android support is planned but gives no release date. The stated mid-February delivery estimate also lacks a year in the supplied report.
Eudemonia Demo and Delivery Plans
Shiftwave is scheduled to demonstrate the Arc and Active Regulation software at Eudemonia from Nov. 6-8 in West Palm Beach. The next commercial milestone cited is the expected start of first deliveries in mid-February, though the year is not identified in the source material. Readers evaluating the product will be able to look for further details on delivery timing, app availability and how the company reports results from its controlled trials.
The company’s research program is also a key development to watch. Results from controlled studies could provide a stronger basis for assessing whether the sessions offer benefits beyond rest or expectation, but no trial results or publication dates are supplied in the report.
Key Questions
What did Shiftwave announce at Eudemonia?
Shiftwave is demonstrating its Arc reclining chair and Active Regulation software platform at the event. The system combines pulsed pressure waves, guided breathwork and audio experiences.
How much does the Shiftwave Arc cost?
The source report lists the Arc’s retail price as $20,000.
What evidence does Shiftwave cite for the technology?
The company’s October 2026 overview says 11 field studies involving 362 participants found improvements in self-reported stress, anxiety, pain and relaxation after sessions. The studies lacked control groups, so they cannot establish whether the technology caused the reported changes.
When will the Arc be available?
Shiftwave expects first deliveries in mid-February. The supplied report does not identify the year for that estimate.
Does the software work on Android?
The platform is available through an iPhone and iPad app. Shiftwave says Android support is planned, but no launch date is provided.
Source: athletechnews.com
