Adient, Autoliv Team Up on Self-Driving Car Interiors

Adient plc and Autoliv Inc. are collaborating on seating and other interior systems for autonomous vehicles.

The partners initially will focus on integrating Autoliv's safety components into the new seating arrangements being designed for vehicles with automated driving systems. This includes traditional seat-mounted airbags and center airbags due to be introduced in about three years in Europe to prevent passengers from colliding with each other.

The companies aim to launch such systems for commercial applications in the second half of 2018. Adient and Autoliv also plan to co-develop other interior components to enhance the safety, comfort and convenience of future vehicles, as well as investigate the potential for working together on non-automotive transportation-related applications.

Earlier this year Autoliv launched joint venture with Volvo Car Corp. to develop autonomous driving and advanced driver assist systems. Dubbed Zenuity, the new company is expected to launch its first products in 2019.

Adient, the renamed seating business spun off by Johnson Controls Inc. last year, in July showed a concept interior that can be customized for different uses when a vehicle is operating in autonomous driving mode. By reconfiguring the seats, infotainment systems and other components, passengers can optimize space, comfort and communications, Adient says.