Real-Life Cyborg Challenges Reality With Technology Footsore visitors to the Austin Museum of Art in Texas may have been tempted by a recent installation called SeatSale, a plain wooden chair with a scrolling electronic sign and a credit card reader. But the chair has something else special: at the spot where a cushion normally goes are dozens of sharp metal spikes.

"Weary travelers no longer need to stand for hours on end," a sign says. "Use your government-issued photo ID card to download a free seating license."

Sliding a credit card through the slot makes the spikes retract, but it also commits the user to certain terms and conditions. "If you don't agree to these terms and conditions, remain standing," the device says.