More than 50 experts from the automotive industry, supplier sector and research met on 27 and 28 September at the “Haus der Technik" in Essen. At the 16th Vehicle Seats Conference, they addressed the questions of what the seats of the future will look like and what materials they will be made of.

During the expertise event, in which Olaf Hofmann and Kai Rudolph took part from our side, current developments and trends in relation to vehicle seats were discussed and topics such as plastic technology, cover materials, ventilation, climate control and comfort functions were discussed. Here the focus was on the changed mobility. Starting with the vehicle concepts of the future and their requirements for the seating system, through the challenges of new mobility concepts and the lightweight construction potential of seats, the focus was on autonomous driving as well as sustainability developments and their effects on seating concepts.

“We were particularly pleased that we either played a significant role in or even manufactured every other of the 20 projects and products presented. This shows how deeply we are involved in the latest innovations,” says Olaf Hofmann, engineering director at soft trim. “For example, we were actively involved in the ground-breaking project for Porsche with 3D printed seat inserts, as well as in the exciting KAI research project. These projects make it clear that the interior of a vehicle and thus also the seat components will take on a completely new meaning in the future of mobility.”

The experts highlighted that it is a mistake to assume that seats are completely developed and perfected. New challenges in the development of seats arise from the changing demands on people in the vehicle, in which, in addition to comfort and ergonomics, new materials and weight reduction also play a crucial role.

A special thanks goes out to the organisers Dr. Eng. Christian Mergl and Prof. Dr. Eng. Ralf Stetter as well as all speakers and colleagues who contributed to this excellent event. We are already looking forward to the next one and are looking forward to further exciting developments in the world of vehicle seats.