Nissan Debuts “Zero Gravity” Seating

Nissan Motor Co. says the front seats in the 2013 Altima sedan reduce fatigue by keeping their occupants' spines in the relaxed position they would assume in zero gravity.

The company tells SAE Vehicle Engineering its developers were inspired by research data from NASA about how to minimize muscular loading to a person's pelvis, back and torso. Nissan developed a seat simulator that measured the natural position and loads on an occupant from pelvis to upper back.

The resulting patented seat design provides varying levels of support to an occupant's lumbar, midback and shoulder regions, according to the company. It says previous designs aimed to equalize loading across those areas. The company tells Vehicle Engineering it aims to adopt similar zero-gravity seats in all Nissan models.

Nissan says the new seats incorporate features developed by Faurecia and NHK through their FNK Spring Co. venture. The seats are being produced in the U.S. by Faurecia and Johnson Controls.