INDUSTRY FOCUS AUTOMOTIVE SUPPLY CHAIN
AUTONOMOUS DRIVING IN THE CAR SEAT OF THE FUTURE
In the car of the future, assistance systems will play an increasing role - turning the driver's seat into a comfortable control unit, according to automotive seating supplier, Johnson Controls
W
ith the move toward autonomous driving, the requirements for
vehicle interiors and seating will also radically change. As a global leader with decades of seating expertise and numerous innovative solutions, such as the first approved reclining rear seat structure, Johnson Controls is ready for such a change. “Autonomous driving is on its way. It is
not something that will happen overnight, though, but rather over a period of gradual development,” says Dr. Detlef Jürss, group vice president and generalmanager Product Group Seating Components at Johnson Controls. “Numerous driver assistance systems are already helping to make driving easier. In the future, the role of the person in the driver’s seat will shift from that of an ‘active driver’ to that of a ‘supervisor’ who must be able to intervene whenever necessary. The seat will become a multi- talented interior component that provides its strengths in safety, comfort, and entertainment.” According to Jürss, however, true autonomous driving, where the vehicle takes over all control functions and the driver simply assumes the role of passenger, is still a long way off. Numerous challenges must be overcome along the way, for example, details concerning the necessary investment- intensive infrastructure, liability and legal issues, ethical aspects (who do the safety systems protect?), technological feasibility and safety. Along with the changing roles of the
driver and vehicle, new and higher demands are being made of seating, which is in line with the very diverse challenges in individual mobility that
16 OCTOBER 2015 | AUTOMATION
The future role of the seat as a ‘comfortable control unit’ could also include the possibility of a crash-resistant resting position
global markets are facing. For example, in extreme cases, the highly congested conurbations and megacities in Asia are up against the classic long-distance routes in North America or Australia and a European mix of city and country roads. In these examples, demands for tailored seating concepts can be summarised under the terms ‘workplace,’ ‘communication and entertainment center,’ or ‘relaxation zone’, accordingly. “Johnson Controls has concerned itself
Relaxed single mode Conversation mode Single occupant mode
with the challenges that such mobility trends bring to our specialised field of car seating for many years now,” says Jürss. “Therefore, we see the shift from a purely driver's seat to an active safety system as a key starting point. The seat will become much more of an integral part of occupant protection, which will be linked with all active safety systems within the vehicle.” Additional features, such as a seat rotated in the opposite direction of travel to allow direct communication among passengers, or a seat in a resting position, must offer maximum safety in the event of a crash. Johnson Controls already offers high-strength mechanisms such as recliners and seat tracks. In the future, these components will be linked to the entire vehicle sensor technology and be capable of interaction. The company considers increasing
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comfort and well-being in the driver’s seat as the second key starting point. “The seat will become the driver’s partner for comfort and health,” adds Jürss. The main challenge for future seat applications lies in the intelligent interaction between seat sensors and actuators. The respective seat must be able to react ‘independently’ to sensor- based evidence of drowsiness or tension - for example with an automated alarm or position adjustments over longer distances. Various features, such as a massage function, armrests or pneumatic side bolsters, which enable the seat position to be adjusted ergonomically to
individual needs and long journeys, could also play an active role - an area in which Johnson Controls' Recaro Automotive Seating product group has decades of expertise. The internationally-recognised seal of approval awarded to Recaro by the German association for healthy backs (Aktion Gesunder Rücken e.V.) for its passenger and utility vehicle seats underlines this expertise. The future role of the seat as a
‘comfortable control unit’ could also include the possibility of a crash- resistant resting position. Johnson Controls remains true to its pioneering role as a technological leader here, too, by developing the first approved fold-flat rear seat structure for an automaker and bringing it to series production. Similar to a business class seat on an aircraft, the product meets the highest comfort requirements while complying with automotive safety regulations, thanks to sophisticated sensor technology that raises the seat to an upright position in the event of a crash. The third starting point for the seat of
the future, which supports all aspects of autonomous driving, is further development toward an entertainment and information forum: “The seats of the future must offer the occupant, as a passive driver, all possible options for work, entertainment, and communication while traveling,” says Jürss, citing the integration of tablet holders, reading lights and headphones as examples. “We can also envisage making the unused front passenger seat more flexible, turning it into an additional mobile office or living space when unoccupied, and offering non- slip compartments for personal items, drinks or electronic devices, which can also be charged wirelessly.”
Johnson Controls T: 0845 108 0001
www.johnsoncontrols.co.uk
/AUTOMATION
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