The Vehicle Seat of the Future
The SlimSeat ideally combines design and function.
Electromobility, increasing comfort requirements, and autonomous driving are fundamentally changing the requirements for vehicle interiors. As the interior is increasingly seen as a “stylish living room on wheels”, the seat is taking on new functions. But what does the vehicle seat of the future look like? We asked Sandra Kieser-Neumeyer, Head of Seat Concept Development at Brose, and Thorsten Esser, Head of Development and Technical Managing Director at Brose Sitech.
Ms. Kieser-Neumeyer, Mr. Esser, you are deeply involved in the transformation of vehicle interiors. What are currently the most important requirements?
Thorsten Esser: Comfort and flexibility are top priorities. The interior should be usable not only for driving but also for working or relaxing. Leaning back, putting your feet up, and unwinding – the feeling of being in your own vehicle like in a living room is becoming increasingly important. A wide range of adjustment options opens up new user experiences but also presents special challenges in terms of safety – especially regarding crash safety and the reliable interaction of seatbelts and airbags in all seating positions.
Sandra Kieser-Neumeyer:The key question is whether all these functions can be integrated into the seat without losing the desired lightness and elegance. Additional technology often makes seats bulkier, which contradicts the automotive manufacturers’ vision of slim, elegant designs.
Have you already found an answer to this?
Sandra Kieser-Neumeyer:Yes, we call it “SlimSeat”. This innovative seat ideally combines design and function. It embodies the philosophy of a slim, clear, and futuristic design while still offering maximum comfort and safety. A key factor is our close collaboration with Brose Sitech. The joint venture brings extensive expertise in the development of complete vehicle seats and complements Brose’s decades of know-how in seat adjustment technology.
How did you manage to create such a slim yet comfortable vehicle seat?
Sandra Kieser-Neumeyer:The foundation is our further developed belt-integrated seat. Through the clever arrangement of adjusters within the metal structure, we open up many possibilities in seat design. Individual functions were newly conceived for this, such as the adjustment unit for the headrest. The integrated head and neck support is individually adjustable. Another highlight is the flexible footrest, which can be transformed into a leg rest at the push of a button thanks to integrated height adjustment.
Thorsten Esser: The challenge was to find the balance between a delicate and robust appearance of the seat. The design must convey quality, comfort, and safety – at first glance. At the same time, the seat must not appear bulky due to foam and covers. Thanks to our many years of experience in developing sporty seats, we succeeded. The SlimSeat offers vehicle manufacturers numerous design freedoms, such as invisible stitching of the covers. Additionally, the seat cover can be recycled by type using the “textile screw”.
How are vehicle manufacturers responding to your innovation?
Sandra Kieser-Neumeyer: The feedback from the industry is consistently positive. Many manufacturers are showing great interest and confirm that the SlimSeat sets new standards in design and comfort. For us, however, the SlimSeat is just the beginning. Close collaboration with Brose Sitech remains essential. If we think about technology and design even more consistently together in the future, interfaces can be further standardized. We are convinced that the SlimSeat is just the start of a new generation of vehicle seats.
You can find more innovative products from Brose here .