What mechanisms can I use to instantly materialize an object?

In a far-distant future Pascal enters the bridge of his intelligent space ship.

He's a lazy bloke who can't be bothered to sit or stand, so he flicks his fingers and in a moment of Clarkian magic a pillar, an object, a force appears.¹

He leans against the pillar and proclaims: "I am the promise, which shattered in the most possible and well meaning way."² As Pascal shifts his weight, the pillar instantly adjusts to provide for his comfort.³

Question: What "future" mechanisms could be used to create the pillar/object/force I've described? I've considered things like condensing air molecules and superfast nanorobots, but I am hoping with your expertise you could help me with additional insight.

Condition #1: This is an intelligent ship. It knows and understands Pascal and its own capabilities. It has the ability to analyze the situation and use the resources available to it to solve the problem.

Condition #2:  The effect should be "instantaneous" in that between the the moment Pascal "flicks" his fingers and the moment he begins to lean the problem has been solved and the solution implemented such that the pillar/object/force is there when his body expects to feel resistance.

 

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¹ I prefer the pillar to be invisible, but I'm more interested in the mechanics of the solution.

²  Or some nonsense like that…

³  As long as it's activated. While on, it would even shift to recapture his balance, should he lose it. Whether or not it should come on automatically (without the "flick" of his fingers) is an issue outside the scope of this question.