Pixie Dust Technologies Collaborates with South Korea's Leading Office Furniture Company FURSYS

Pixie Dust Technologies Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; Chairman: Yoichi Ochiai; President: Taiichiro Murakami; hereinafter "PxDT") announces the launch of a collaboration with FURSYS Inc. (Headquarters: Seoul; CEO: Park Junghee; hereinafter "FURSYS"), the market leader in South Korea's office furniture sector, leveraging its proprietary acoustic metamaterial technology in the sound-absorbing material "iwasemi (Iwase-mi)." As the first initiative of this collaboration, a permanent exhibition of the sound-absorbing panel "iwasemi (Iwase-mi)," utilizing PxDT's unique acoustic control technology, will begin at FURSYS's headquarters showroom in Seoul. FURSYS has decided to adopt iwasemi after rigorously evaluating sound absorption solutions from around the world. Notably, this marks the first time that iwasemi has been permanently exhibited in an official showroom of a foreign furniture brand globally. FURSYS, which has led South Korea's office furniture market for 43 years since its founding and operates a global dealer network across 70 countries and 111 locations, has selected PxDT's technology after thorough evaluation of sound absorption technologies worldwide. This partnership demonstrates that PxDT's superior acoustic control technology and design excellence, cultivated in Japan, have received top-tier recognition transcending language and borders. Building on this initiative, both companies aim to establish "sound design" as a new benchmark for next-generation offices across Asia. ■ Background: Core Challenges of the Next-Generation Office With the normalization of hybrid work, the limitations of open offices, and the full-scale advancement of ESG and well-being management, the fundamentals of work environments are being redefined globally. The next frontier for office spaces is shifting toward "sound." While open offices have promoted collaboration and communication, they have also introduced new burdens such as "impaired concentration," "conversation leakage," and "tension caused by excessive silence"—collectively known as "acoustic stress." Although visual design and ergonomic design (e.g., office chairs) have been extensively discussed, auditory environment design has remained confined to architecture, with little serious attention given at the level of furniture—the element closest to people. In South Korea, protecting workplace mental health has emerged as a top priority in both policy and business management. In Japan, the revised Industrial Safety and Health Act will take effect in 2025, expanding the scope of mandatory stress checks, further accelerating demand for solutions to "acoustic stress" in offices. Improving sound environments has now become a critical management issue shared by Japan and South Korea. ■ FURSYS's Evaluation of iwasemi's Technical Advantages: Two Core Values 1. Breaking Conventional Wisdom: "Slim Profile" and "Targeted Frequency Control" Traditional sound-absorbing materials, such as glass wool, typically rely on thick, porous structures to convert sound energy into heat, making thickness and weight essential for high performance. In contrast, iwasemi employs PxDT's proprietary acoustic metamaterial structure to precisely control and absorb specific frequency bands—including the mid-range frequencies of human speech—at just a few centimeters in thickness. This breakthrough in slim design and targeted absorption performance is made possible by PxDT's unique expertise in computational science and wave control technology. 2. Transforming Sound Absorbers from "Hidden" to "Visible Architectural Design Elements" Historically, sound-absorbing materials were designed to be concealed—placed in ceilings or behind walls—to avoid compromising aesthetic appeal. iwasemi redefines this concept by offering high design value, enabling it to function as an integral part of furniture and architectural design. Its product design seamlessly integrates into spaces as an aesthetic accent without restricting the creative expression of office designers and architects. FURSYS has highly evaluated iwasemi's ability to harmonize "exceptional sound absorption performance" with "design compatibility," leading to the decision for permanent exhibition in its own showroom. ■ Future Outlook: Evolving Office Furniture into Tools for Acoustic Environment Design The furniture industry has long faced a dilemma: "We can partition visually, but not acoustically." While partitions, focus booths, and storage units have evolved to visually segment spaces, sound has consistently passed through them unchecked. Within the limits of conventional materials and structures, solving the "sound" problem within the furniture domain has been nearly impossible. PxDT's acoustic metamaterial technology provides a groundbreaking solution to this challenge. By integrating FURSYS's refined furniture design with PxDT's advanced sound absorption technology, the companies aim to transform office furniture from mere "space dividers" into active tools for "designing the acoustic environment of spaces." ■ Exhibition Overview - Location: "Business Hub Gangnam" Address: 18F, Ajoo Building, 201 Teheran-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul - Format: Permanent exhibition - Start Date: May 2026 ■ About iwasemi Sound-Absorbing Panels The iwasemi sound-absorbing panels combine specialized sound absorption in the speech frequency range with high aesthetic value, creating optimal acoustic environments for conversation. By reducing reverberation and enhancing speech clarity, they improve comfort and efficiency. 1. Enhances meeting efficiency with clear acoustics 2. Combines functionality with design excellence 3. Sound absorption optimized for human speech 4. Sustainable design with environmental consideration Product page: https://iwasemi.com/ ■ About FURSYS Inc. Founded in 1983, FURSYS has maintained an overwhelming No.1 market share in South Korea's office furniture market for over 40 years, making it the country's largest office furniture specialist manufacturer. Guided by the mission of "creating better spaces for people at work," FURSYS excels in advanced ergonomic product design and proprietary production lines. Its quality and design have earned international acclaim, and it currently delivers innovative office solutions to workplaces worldwide through a global dealer network spanning 70 countries and 111 locations. - Company Name: FURSYS Inc. - CEO: Park Junghee - Headquarters: Pasu Building, 311 Ogum-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul - Founded: 1983 ■ About Pixie Dust Technologies Co., Ltd. Pixie Dust Technologies aims to realize "Digital Nature"—a future where computers and non-computers are inseparable—by fusing computer science with proprietary wave control technologies that manipulate sound and light. The company is currently applying its wave control technology to healthcare (e.g., mechanobiology, sensory intervention) and to materials (metamaterials) and environments (offices, construction sites).