Lear Readies "Smart" Seat Technology

Lear Corp. is developing a self-adjusting seat—featuring biometric sensors similar to those on the latest wearable devices—that measures and automatically adapts itself to an occupant’s size.

The new seat will go into production in 2018 for an unnamed carmaker, Lear officials tell Automotive News. Another carmaker also is expressing strong interest in the technology, according to the report.

Lear's goal is to eventually eliminate traditional buttons, levers and other control systems for seats. In addition to adapting a seat to best fit its occupant, the sensors also could be used to monitor an occupant’s health and help transition between autonomous and human-controlled driving.

Other seat makers such as Faurecia, Johnson Controls and Magna are developing similar “smart” seating systems, AN notes. At the same time, there will be competition from wearable devices such as smartphones and navigation systems as they are integrated into next-generation vehicles, analysts point out.