Yanfeng reveals production-ready 'zero gravity' seat

Global supplier Yanfeng has revealed the Zero Gravity Seat, a new, production-ready seat technology. The company says it has combined its interiors, safety, electronics, and seating expertise in an all-new ergonomic seating design.

With the new seat, Yanfeng is showcasing how the company leverages its capabilities and engineering expertise based on end-user insights and automaker needs. The result is a wide range of applications for use in spacious passenger cars, sport utility vehicles, vans, mini-buses and shared-mobility-solutions such as autonomous ridesharing vehicles.

“Through consumer clinics and product road shows, we received feedback that the new, ultimate feeling of comfortable, weightless relaxation is appealing,” said Chunfeng Xu, Vice-President &General Manager of Yanfeng Seating in Europe. “What surprises any user is the overall performance of the seat, offering more convenience in any position, safety protection and state-of-the-art control over the electronic features of the seat and other in-car comfort and entertainment.”

Optional, available functions such as a massage function, seat heating and ventilation or an electric four-way adjustable headrest enhance passenger comfort. A sound system can be integrated in the area of the shoulder part of the seat, offering a discretely integrated set of speakers for private, cocoon-like audio enjoyment. With a touch-sensitive control unit, which is embedded in the soft surface of the armrest, all functions can be used intuitively.

Seat reclines up to 126deg
When it comes to kinematics, the new seat features weightless relaxation in the Zero Gravity mode, which allows passengers to recline the seat up to 126deg (angle torso to thighs) at the touch of a button. The backrest of the new seat can be fully reclined, creating a feeling of Zero Gravity weightlessness that allows passengers to unwind.

The integrated seatbelt provides even support, and with a restraint system to ensure safety in any position. Thanks to the company's own passive safety systems portfolio, this can also be sourced from a single source.

Can be tailored to OEM needs
Yangfeng says the functionality of the seat can be tailored to automaker needs, such as the choice of rotation, horizontal movement, manual or electric long rails. “All features and functions can be seamlessly integrated into the seat with our smart surface technologies, that can be customised to an automaker’s needs. This offers personalisation as well as functionality on demand, and it is only visible when needed,” said Chunfeng Xu.

As per the company, the weightless seating comfort is ideal for vans, SUVs as well as Crossover Utility Vehicles and will go into production vehicles in Europe in 2024.