DETROIT, Jan. 15, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Adient (NYSE:
ADNT), the largest global automotive seating supplier, will
demonstrate how new forms of mobility affect vehicle interiors with
its AI18 concept vehicle at the 2018 North American International
Auto Show (NAIAS).
The innovative new concept was developed based on the findings
of Adient's proprietary studies of automotive customers' seating
needs in 2030 and beyond. The company focused in particular on new
mobility alternatives such as ride sharing in urban
environments.
"In the future, urban vehicles need to offer transforming
seating solutions that can be easily modified to suit almost any
situation throughout a typical day. Shared economy mobility will
become the common way of life in big cities," said Richard Chung, vice president of innovation at
Adient.
The AI18 concept's seating system is highly flexible yet compact
for use in urban vehicles and its numerous lightweight construction
options make it ideal for electric mobility vehicles. The products
shown in the concept can be assembled individually so manufacturers
can use them in a wide range of vehicles for urban use -- from
micro-cars and mini-vans to mini-buses.
Flexibility for many uses
Adient demonstrates just how flexible level 3 and 4 autonomous
vehicle seating can be with the AI18's usage scenarios. These
provide passengers with the appropriate seating configurations,
space and convenience for comfortable and safe mobility in each
situation:
- Lounge mode provides a high level of comfort and
relaxation. The front seats have an "anthropometric" pivot that
ensures the seat can recline and still provide support if the angle
is beyond the normal range. The concept's head support, integrated
arm rests and special leg support are synchronized to move
seamlessly with an occupant's body. To provide optimal safety, the
seatbelts in the front row are integrated into the seat structure
-- not in the B-column of the vehicle as is the norm today.
Adient's improved design ensures the belt withstands the modified
loads and movements required of new seating positions in autonomous
vehicles.
- In communication mode, the vehicle becomes a mobile
meeting space. The front passenger may turn 180 degrees so the
driver and passenger can talk facing each other. To enable this,
Adient is developing a new form of kinematics for the seating
platform that lifts slightly so it can turn in a compact interior
space. For the first time, this movement works when a person is
already seated. All seating functions and vehicle settings are
controlled via an operating panel integrated into the driver's seat
so the seat increasingly becomes the "command center," regardless
of the seating position of the passengers.
- In cargo mode, the AI18 reveals its convenient space
options. The two seats in the first row provide a familiar level of
comfort while the seat cushion in the back row retracts into the
cargo area using an electric mechanism similar to a drawer. This
provides additional space behind the front seats for easier access
during short trips.
- The AI18's family mode is closest to the interior of a
conventional vehicle. The front two seats face the direction of
travel; the rear seats are fully deployed. The new and particularly
light headrests are synchronized with the seats and extend
alongside them from the back bench seat. As a result of this
innovative design, the headrests contain significantly fewer
components and weigh around 20 percent less than comparable
headrests on the market.
- The baby plus mode addresses the needs of parents with
babies and small children. Seats turn 180 degrees opposite the
driving direction so parents can interact with their children while
traveling safely. The integrated ISOFIX restraint system securely
connects the child's seat to the vehicle. In addition, one of the
rear seats can be extended so both parents can turn toward their
children during a trip.
Smart solutions offer more safety, comfort and simple
operation
Adient has integrated numerous "smart" solutions into the AI18.
For example, seat-setting preferences can be stored in an app and
restored automatically when getting into the car. Consoles
integrated into the driver's seat provide additional settings using
gesture control.
Invisible to occupants, the AI18's vehicle seats hide sensors
that make the seats into intelligent comfort assistants. For
example, they can assess body position and pressure points to
optimize comfort in each seating situation even on longer trips.
Meanwhile, integrated health monitoring measures occupants'
breathing and pulse rate to provide feedback on their physical
condition, enabling time-saving tele-health services while
traveling.
"Society is becoming more focused on how to convert idle time,
such as time traveling in a vehicle, into more meaningful, valuable
time. It won't be just about doing something productive in the
vehicle but also being able to feel comfortable and relaxed," Chung
said. "Because not every user requires the same range of comfort,
this especially enables providers of ride-sharing services to
customize their offerings in the form of modules. We call this
trend "luxury on demand" and provide it in the AI18."
Adient will present all of the AI18's innovative usage scenarios
at its NAIAS exhibit, which is open to the media and invited guests
in Cobo Center's Room 310B
Jan. 15-18.
Adient – which became an independent company in 2016 after a
successful spinoff from Johnson Controls – is a NAIAS event sponsor
and exhibitor. NAIAS, one of the world's premier automotive
exhibitions, opens to the media and industry officials on
Jan. 15. It will open to the public
on Jan. 20. For more information,
visit www.naias.com.
About Adient:
Adient is a global leader in automotive seating. With 85,000
employees operating 238 manufacturing/assembly plants in 34
countries worldwide, we produce and deliver automotive seating for
all vehicle classes and all major OEMs. From complete seating
systems to individual components, our expertise spans every step of
the automotive seat making process. Our integrated, in-house skills
allow us to take our products from research and design all the way
to engineering and manufacturing – and into more than 25 million
vehicles every year. For more information on Adient, please visit
adient.com.
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SOURCE Adient