European version of Johnson Controls' "Leap Automotive Seating" concept revolutionizes car seat comfort and ergonomics

A seat that adapts to every spine

Burscheid 10.09.2003 (PROTEXT/ots) - The "Leap AutomotiveSeating" concept from Johnson Controls, one of the world'sleading suppliers of automotive interior systems, transfers theergonomic benefits of modern office chairs to the world ofautomotive seating.

At the core of this innovation are active seat elements thatautomatically adapt themselves to individual body size, posture,and even variations in spinal shape, in order to give occupantsa whole new experience in seating comfort. An American versionof the seat was presented earlier this year at the NorthAmerican International Auto Show in Detroit, and now JohnsonControls will be presenting a European version at the upcomingInternational Motor Show in Frankfurt. This new version featuresvariable directional control along with a slimmer, morestreamlined design.

Over 40 patents are hidden within the seat structure of thenew "Leap Automotive Seating" concept. In cooperation withoffice equipment manufacturer Steelcase, Johnson Controls hastransferred the essential basic functions of this modern officechair to automotive seating. The alliance between Steelcase andJohnson Controls was a natural outgrowth of both partners'interest in creating ergonomically correct seating, a subjectthat's just as compelling in the office as it is in the car.

Modeled on the human spine

Starting with the very structure of the seat back, whichuses a plastic plate as carrier, the seat design was modeled onthe human spine. Unlike conventional seats, which providecomfort by means of cushioning, the seat back, with its "LiveBack" technology, conforms to the occupant's back at all times,giving the feeling of sitting not on the seat, but rather in it.With the added advantage that the spine receives optimalsupport.

The pleasant effect of the "Live Back" technology is supple-mented by the "Natural Glide" function, which enables the seatback and cushion to move as one unit. When the driver reclines,his relationship to the cockpit is maintained, along with hisreach zone and field of vision.

The developers enhanced comfort even further by lowering theseat back's pivot point towards the hips. This helps providemore consistent contact between the torso and seat back in anysitting position.

Sights set on European needs

For the European version of the "Leap Automotive Seating",Johnson Controls developed directional control cushions thatcontinually adapt to the flexibility of the seat back. Thesedirectional controls are filled with air compartments and can beelectrically adjusted. The design of the European seat wasmodified as well. The new seat is slimmer, more streamlined andcomes with combination woven/velour upholstery.

In addition to its special structural features, "LeapAutomotive Seating", which will be offered as a complete seat,provides consumers with all of the functions and features theyexpect from a luxury seat in the Upper Medium and Executivesegments: seat cushion inclination, seat height and longitudinaladjustment as well as seat back inclination can be variedelectrically, as can the height of the head restraint.

Seating comfort redefined

The development of the "Leap Automotive Seating" concept isthe result of four years of intensive research into humanergonomics. After studying a large number of test subjects,engineers and scientists consolidated their findings into fourkey discoveries. The spine does not move as a single unit.Instead, the upper and lower spine areas require different typesand amounts of support, because each human spine is unique andseating positions change dynamically. Based on this knowledge,the "Leap Automotive Seating" concept was precisely tailored tofit the human body. Virtual comfort simulations as well asnumerous consumer studies confirm the redefinition of seatingcomfort that resulted.

Statements collected in the course of these studies rangefrom "fits like a glove" to "the seat cradles me". Initialdriving comfort evaluations from automakers also led to anoverwhelmingly positive response and a high level of interest inthe technology.

The seating concept could be used in series productionbeginning as early as 2007. ots Originaltext: Johnson Controls Internet: www.naeurope.co.uk Further information is available from: Johnson Controls GmbH AutomotiveGroup AstridSchafmeister Industriestraße 20-30 51399 Burscheid Germany Tel.: +49 2174 65-3189 Fax: +49 2174 65-3219 E-Mail: astrid.schafmeister@jci.com Steelcase International Michael Merk Parc d'Activités de laMossig Rue de Rome 67521 Marlenheim Cedex France Tel.: +33 388 646-352 Fax: +33 388 646-340 E-Mail:mmerk@steelcase-europe.com Johnson Controls, Inc., is a global market leader in automotivesystems and facility management and control. In the automotivemarket, it is a leading supplier of seating and interior systemsand batteries. For non-residential facilities, Johnson Controlsprovides building control components and systems and facilitymanagement services. Johnson Controls (New York Stock Exchange: JCI), founded in1885, has its headquarters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Europeanhead-quarters is in Burscheid, Germany. Its sales for 2002totaled 20.1 billion US-Dollars, the Automotive Group aloneaccounting for 15 billion US-Dollars of this figure. In thecurrent "Industry Week" business magazine rankings, JohnsonControls has been listed as one of the top 100 best runcompanies in the world for the fifth time in succession. Steelcase Inc., a Fortune 500 company, has been dedicated toimproving efficiency in the workplace by supplying high-qualityoffice furniture ever since its founding in 1912. Based in GrandRapids, Michigan, the company has led the worldwide officefurniture industry in sales since 1974. Steelcase's portfolioincludes interior architecture products, furniture systems,technology products, seating, lighting, storage and relatedproducts and services. Revenue totaled $2.6 billion in fiscalyear 2003. Steelcase (New York Stock Exchange: SCS) and itssubsidiaries serve customers around the world through a networkof independent dealers in more than 830 locations, approximately16,000 employees and 40 manufacturing facilities worldwide.

Subscribers please note that material bearing the slug"PROTEXT" is not part of CTK's news service and is not to bepublished under the "CTK" slug. Protext is a commercial serviceproviding distribution of press releases from clients, who areidentified in the text of Protext reports and who bear fullresponsibility for their contents.

PROTEXT