Squeezing more out and in

Engineers are working on making seats lighter while offering more features.

Seats play a huge role in customer satisfaction, so it's no surprise that seat developers must respond to opposing requirements. On one hand, engineers are trying to make seats thinner and lighter to provide more room and improve fuel economy. On the other, they are following the trend to add more electronic functions.

Cooling is augmenting heating, motors move lumbar supports into position after guiding seats into predetermined spots, and video screens reside in headrests and seatbacks. This influx of electronics is occurring as engineers attempt to expand leg space.