Adient and Autoliv have jointly developed new safety systems that they say better protect vehicle occupants in deeply reclined, or "zero-gravity," seating positions.
The solution, which unifies Adient’s new seating concept Z‑Guard with Autoliv’s technologies, is ready for mass production.
It aims to address safety concerns that comes with traditional vehicle safety systems, which are typically optimised for upright seating postures.
Z-Guard combines restraint elements with energy-absorbing features to provide a multi‑dimensional collaborative protection.
Two principal elements of the concept are an active cushion collapse mechanism and an adjustable seat‑belt outlet.
In the event of a crash, the cushion collapse feature is designed to quickly fold the seat frame to absorb energy and alter passenger posture.
The adjustable belt outlet aims to accommodate different postures and body sizes, reducing risks such as shoulder slippage.
Autoliv’s contributions include an integrated seatbelt system to improve occupant stability and a dynamic lumbar retractor to regulate restraint forces.
It also supplies a pelvic cushion airbag to reduce pelvic loading and a head‑side airbag to strengthen lateral protection for reclined occupants.
Z‑Guard is designed to interface closely with vehicle driver‑assistance systems and can use predictive signals to drive motorised seat repositioning ahead of an anticipated collision.
Where a vehicle cannot detect an imminent impact or cannot actively reposition the seat, the concept retains protective measures, including dual pretensioners, cushion buffering and the collapse mechanism.
These feature aims to limit forward movement and reduce the likelihood of submarining.
Adient is spearheading commercialisation of the concept, which the company plans to produce in a high‑volume model for a major global original equipment manufacturer (OEM).
Last year in November, Adient, Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), and Dow MobilityScience collaborated for the development of prototype car seats featuring Renuva repolyol.
