The vehicle seat of the future must meet numerous requirements simultaneously: comfort, flexibility, and connectivity are just as important as sustainability, safety, and cost efficiency. OEMs and suppliers are faced with complex and conflicting objectives. As one of the world’s leading providers of automotive seating systems, Adient addresses these challenges head through its product development, presenting significant space gains in the vehicle interior through integrated and tailored solutions.
Pure Ergonomics: Market innovation for enhanced space, comfort and efficiency
Adient’s new “Pure Ergonomics” seating concept sets new standards for comfort, functionality, and resource efficiency for vehicles in the mid-range to lower-price segments. The revised seat design combines a slim, resource-efficient construction with significantly enhanced ergonomics. Up to 60 mm of additional legroom is created for passengers in the second row, providing a sense of spaciousness that is usually only associated with higher vehicle classes.
The seat adjustment system features a complete redesign that aligns with actual occupant biomechanics. This innovative design ensures that every adjustment intuitively supports and reflects the unique anatomy of each user, setting a new standard for personalized comfort.
At the same time, the “Pure Ergonomics” concept provides clear cost and weight advantages:
The streamlined functional design specifically reduces material usage in metal, foam, and trim components without compromising comfort or functionality. This has been made possible through close collaboration between the development teams and Adient’s system knowledge as a full-service provider with comprehensive expertise in all seating components. “Pure Ergonomics” is now available for customer-specific development.
The idea is a constant progression of the “Autonomous Elegance” concept, which was a resounding success in the premium segment in 2023.
Autonomous Elegance: Redefining ergonomics
This concept has also been updated to reflect current trends in the automotive sector. The interior of the vehicle is increasingly seen as a personal living space – with high expectations regarding comfort, individuality, and functionality. These expectations continue to grow in importance – particularly in light of increasing digitalization and advanced driver assistance systems.
To meet this trend, Adient created a new adjustment feature designed for improved comfort and ergonomics. The seat adjusts to the desired position through an anatomically designed tilt mechanism that replicates and supports natural hip motion. This was accomplished by reconfiguring the adjustment mechanisms and refining the kinematics of the seat structure.
At the same time, the concept meets the highest standards of flexibility and functionality, offering a versatile space for driving, working, or relaxing. Electronic components such as sensors and control units, as well as safety solutions like airbag and belt systems (Belt-in-Seat, BiS), have been integrated directly into the seat structure. The seat has been designed in a way to let drivers and passengers benefit from these functions in any position without restriction.
A further advantage: The integration significantly simplifies assembly in the vehicle interior and several OEMs have already expressed interest in the “Autonomous Elegance” concept.
Safety redefined: Co-development with Autoliv
With a view to future forms of mobility, Adient is continually working to evolve its seating solutions. An innovative concept has been developed for driving scenarios where the front or rear passenger can sit in a relaxed “zero-gravity position”. As well as enhanced ergonomics, the focus is on occupant safety: The strategic use of seat belt pretensioners, additional airbags and innovative restraint systems improves occupant protection to an even greater extent.
A recent collaboration with Autoliv, the world’s largest automotive safety supplier, is a significant milestone in this area. Adient integrated Autoliv’s safety solution for reclining seats, called “Omni Safety™”, into their new “Z-Guard” seating concept. Together, the companies have achieved a breakthrough in occupant protection in the zero-gravity positions, significantly reducing the potential impact of a crash on the neck, upper body, head, and spine. Additional side airbags also provide increased protection in the event of a side collision. This advanced safety system offers various performance levels that meet and exceed regulations and leading industry standards.
Adient uses cutting-edge technologies to further enhance occupant safety: Special sensors detect impending collisions in advance and automatically adjust the seat to an upright position. These developments directly address the requirements of modern vehicle architectures – particularly with regard to software-defined vehicles (SDV) and the integration of safety-critical functions into the interior.
From end-of-life to start of production
Awareness of sustainability, and of the need for a circular economy in the automotive sector in particular, has increased once again in anticipation of the implementation of the revised End-of-Life Vehicles Regulation (ELVR). Adient is working on various projects with customers, partners, and universities, primarily aiming to gradually increase the proportion of recycled plastic in its products and, where possible, to use end-of-life materials instead of new plastics. Compared to programs with SOP (Start of Production) in the 2020s, the share of recycled components can be increased from zero to up to 50 percent.
Adient supports vehicle manufacturers in complying with their extended producer responsibility. This includes using the required minimum proportions of recycled plastic in new products and maximizing the recyclability of seating systems. For example, a pilot project is underway with JLR and plastics manufacturer Dow Chemicals, in which they have succeeded in integrating 20 percent end-of-life polyurethane (PU) foam into car seat production for the first time, effectively closing the loop. The project partners are currently working on respective demonstrators and have already been recognized for their efforts at the American Chemistry Council’s (ACC) Sustainability Leadership Awards 2025.
Seating solutions for tomorrow’s mobility
With a clear focus on market requirements, Adient is driving the consistent development of modern seating systems. “Pure Ergonomics”, “Autonomous Elegance”, strategic partnerships and concrete progress in the circular economy are just some of the ways in which this is being achieved. Adient also works with various automobile manufacturers on customer-specific seating concepts and demonstrators that are individually tailored to their respective requirements. Many of these projects are still in the confidential development phase, illustrating the close, strategic collaboration with OEMs.
Adient’s holistic approach positions the company as a leading provider of seating solutions across all vehicle segments, working in close cooperation with automobile manufacturers, industry partners, and research institutions.
SOURCE: Adient
