Jaguar Land Rover is in the process of developing a car seat that’s designed to improve a driver’s wellbeing. The ‘morphable’ seat is being trialled by the company’s Body Interiors Research division, who are using a series of actuators in the seat foam to recreate a more active lifestyle.
The aim of the new car seat is to make your brain think that you’re walking; this, in turn, helps stimulate the body and reduces back pain. It’s said that over a quarter of the people worldwide live a sedentary lifestyle – in other words, a life that involves little or no physical activity. As a result, these people are at risk of shortening muscles in their legs, hips and gluteals; weakened muscles can also equate to more frequent injuries from falls or strains.
While automakers such as Jaguar Land Rover can’t change their customers’ lifestyles, they can help those who are forced to commute several hours each day in a vehicle. By simulating the rhythm of walking, a movement – also known as pelvic oscillation – the company’s technology can help mitigate the health risks associated with sitting down for elongated periods of time. On average, UK drivers cover 146 miles every week, or 20 miles a day.
Dr Steve Iley, Jaguar Land Rover Chief Medical Officer, said: “The wellbeing of our customers and employees is at the heart of all our technological research projects. We are using our engineering expertise to develop the seat of the future using innovative technologies not seen before in the automotive industry to help tackle an issue that affects people across the globe.”
Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles already have ergonomic seats with multi-directional support, massage functions and heated seats for increased comfort. Dr Iley has a few tips on how to sit properly; from removing items in your pocket to ensuring that your spine and pelvis are straight to support your thighs and ultimately, reduce pressure points throughout the lower parts of your body.
Research always plays a crucial role in the development phase of a vehicle. Without companies such as Jaguar Land Rover investing in new technologies and methods, cars, vans, pickups and trucks will never evolve. For example, the aforementioned company has tried to reduce the effects of motion sickness and even dabbled into technology that uses ultraviolet light to stop the spread of colds and flu.
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WhichEV applauds automakers that are trying to innovate and not settle for the ordinary. Jaguar Land Rover’s ambition to make societies safer and healthier, and the environment cleaner is certainly appreciated by those who care about their wellbeing, or indeed the environment in which they live.
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