Press Kit: Automotive Research and Development Centre (ARDC)

Seat Comfort Test Laboratory

  • The Seat Comfort Test Lab was established in 2017 and incorporates 201 sq metres
  • The Seating Lab runs a multitude of tests that includes:             
    • Seat scanning, H-point audit; seat inspection polyworks: These tests provide essential data for seat ergonomics that contribute to optimum driver comfort
    • Comfort testing (overall hardness, hardness distribution, trim tension, suspension test): This is used to determine cushion/back comfort enablers by testing for overall hardness, hardness distribution, trim tension and suspension
    • Body pressure distribution, static comfort evaluation: This determines pressure targets on different seat areas and correlate the comfort testing results with the comfort evaluation
  • The lab predicts and ensures occupant comfort for drivers and passengers, and ensures that all visibility and reach targets are met
  • The average driver spends over 300 hours a year in the driver’s seat
  • Seats are designed to suit a wide range of occupants – the 5th percentile of females (very small) to the 95th percentile of men (large)
  • Robot is used for Seat Comfort measurement and Ingress/Egress testing
  • Dynamic Tenting Rig performs durability tests on leather seat materials to identify any possible tenting and abnormal wear of leather during use
  • 3D scanning of seats for virtual analysis in order to predict occupant movement with regards to regulatory requirements, such as the hip point (H-point)
  • The lab is environmentally controlled at 23C and 50% relative humidity in keeping with industry standards for consistent results as foam is sensitive to heat and humidity
  • The lab is fully capable in Virtual Engineering of seats integrated into vehicle models



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