Photo= Juichi Yamagiwa, President of Kyoto University, lies on the "Human Evolution Bed." He rated it highly, saying, "I feel perfectly relaxed, with my head and feet raised up." (Kyoto University Museum, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto)

Inspired by chimpanzees' beds, the "Jinrui Shinka Bed" or "Human Evolution Bed," which aims for the ultimate level of comfortable sleeping, has been developed by a group formed by Kyoto University and a bedding manufacturer. It's said that a pleasant "swinging" and a "hollow" that embraces one's body contribute to optimal sleep. They plan to make the bed available commercially. It is on display at the "Sleep Culture Exhibition" at Kyoto University Museum, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, which started on April 6.

The bed is a 1.6 meters by 1.2 meters oval and 45 centimeters in height. The bed frame is made from wood fibers of an engineered wood called "MDF," or medium-density fibreboard, and the central net is made of "paper cords" which are produced from paper thread containing resin. The bed rocks in all directions like a cradle. A special mattress has been also developed.

As they move around in search of fruit in season, chimpanzees fold tree branches to make dish-shaped beds with a hollow at their centers every day. Koichiro Zamma, a Kyoto University researcher who researches chimpanzees in Africa, said that when he laid down on a bed that was left behind, it was "the most comfortable ever." Believing that "this can be applied to human beds," he launched a bed development project in cooperation with Shinichi Ishikawa, a designer, and Arichika Iwata, president of the bedding manufacturer Iwata Inc., in Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto.

After trying the finished bed, Zamma said, "The bed reproduces well the comfortable feeling of chimpanzees' beds, and is suitable for any sleeping position." The "Sleep Culture Exhibition" will continue until June 26. The museum is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, as well as June 18. There is an admission fee.