The Evolution of Automotive Seating

Mark Sutton, VP Engineering - APAC, Adient [NYSE: ADNT]

Automotive seating has progressed over the years from its very humble beginnings. Initially, there must have been pure and simple joy starting with the Benz Motorwagen, which allowed the great opportunity to be able to get from here to there without walking in a relatively comfortable and safe manner as well as connecting people and places in a shorter time.

As technology and automobiles progressed, there came further joy and pride in ownership, with more vehicle and seating customization, allowing an improved driving experience and freedom of movement.

Now, as we move to the next generation of vehicles, first through EVs and then into truly autonomous transportation options, there is great excitement about an enhanced ability to make better use of the space and time spent in a vehicle that must provide a safe, comfortable, and connected environment.

At Adient, a global automotive seating leader, understanding where we have been and where we are going is important. 

Specifically, looking at the present and future of EVs, we believe we are off to a fast start. Working with both established global OEMs and new EV entrants specifically in China, we are collaboratively generating creative and competitive seating systems in a very compressed timeframe. These seating solutions are winning both customer and market recognition. We are intensely focused on innovative products and processes in five key areas that we believe support the continued evolution of automotive seating.

• Scenario-based configuration – As vehicles evolve, the space available and the use scenarios for that space change. Using the space to its fullest and providing solutions that give both basic functionality and features that surprise and delight customers is essential and expected.

“The transition to EVs and then into truly autonomous transportation holds a great potential for the ability to make better use of the space and time spent in a vehicle that must provide a safe, comfortable, and connected environment.”

• Connectivity – How seats “talk” with the vehicle environment and how they interface with users is changing. Providing expertise in electrical interface with vehicle development teams and understanding user needs is a new norm.

• Comprehensive comfort – There is a renewed and intense focus on making seats incredibly comfortable in their individual and unique vehicle environments. From changing adjustment features in terms of size and position to new and unique features and the tactile materials being used, no stone is left unturned.

• Smart safety – Continuing to improve and stretch the bounds of safety in a vehicle is essential. One issue is too many when it comes to safety.

• Sustainability – Being good stewards of the resources that we use is of the utmost importance. We continue to proactively and collaboratively engage in efforts to industrialize sustainable materials using optimized processes to minimize carbon footprint.

The engagement and support of customers in the above activities, as well as the continued execution of award-winning products, is reassuring. However, beyond the excitement surrounding EVs, there are also truly autonomous modes of transportation on the horizon. How far away that horizon is can be debated, but it is coming. This horizon will drive yet another leap in seating system requirements and technology. There is still much study and effort needed here specifically around configuration management and occupant safety. It will no longer be acceptable to say that seating is relatively agnostic to the vehicle environment. There will be new consumer expectations, legal requirements and vehicle formats that will require next-generation thinking and solutions.

At the end of the day, our means of transportation will continue to evolve and at Adient we will continue to invest in innovative and collaborative ways to provide products that exceed our customers and end users ever-increasing expectations.