This study provides an overview of the smart seat industry, focusing on emerging thermal and sensing technologies. It analyzes how connectivity, automation, shared, and electric (CASE) features will shape the development of vehicle seats. The study has a global scope, with key regions, specifically the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe, China, and Japan, considered for supplier analysis. It identifies key suppliers in the thermal and sensor-based smart seat industry, examining their latest innovations and partnerships. The report discusses the potential use cases of next-generation seats and their expected impact on personal and shared autonomous vehicles. Smart seat features currently provided by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) have also been analyzed. The study examines the factors driving and restraining the growth of emerging thermal and sensing technologies in the automotive sector and identifies the opportunities arising from the changes in this space for market players and stakeholders to leverage. The base year is 2023, and the forecast period is from 2024 to 2030.
Author: Dorothy Amy
The Impact of the Top 3 Strategic Imperatives on Emerging Thermal and Sensing Technology in Automotive Seats
Competitive Intensity
- Automotive seat manufacturers are utilizing sensors and developing innovative and intelligent features like thermal control, massage, and health & wellness systems.
- These manufacturers are filing innovation patents in the area of comfort and convenience to distinguish their seats from those provided by the competition.
- Intense competition among automotive seat manufacturers drives innovation, leading to powerful and energy-efficient seats with unique comfort features.
- This addresses the needs of customers who demand personalized experiences in vehicles.
- As vehicles become smarter with automated driving functionalities, car seats will evolve to provide greater comfort and convenience for passengers.
Internal Challenges
- Smart seats will find their greatest potential in vehicles with semi- or fully automated functionalities where drivers and passengers can enjoy the journey with the utmost convenience.
- However, lack of technology readiness and stringent regional regulations are delaying the deployment of L4 autonomous vehicles.
- Though L4 autonomous vehicles will see delayed deployment, smart seats are finding their usage in current vehicle models.
- Adaptive climate control based on user preferences, dynamic lumbar support during long journeys, therapeutic massages based on health conditions, occupancy detection for optimized airbag deployment, and seat detection to identify unattended children are some of the innovative features found in seats today.
Disruptive Technologies
- Advanced health monitoring sensors integrated into vehicle seats could provide potential health support to customers, such as medical therapies for chronic illness, proactive disease detection, and remote medical support in case of emergencies.
- Health & wellness seats are currently limited to providing therapeutic massages based on stress levels. However, as the technology advances, such seats are expected to unlock a wide range of health benefits for the occupants and drive new revenue opportunities for OEMs.
- Disruptive health features require critical health data of the occupants. This gives rise to concerns about data privacy, which could limit the adoption of such sensor-based seats.
Growth Drivers
| Driver | 1–2 Years | 3–4 Years | 5–7 Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advancing Technologies | High | High | High |
| Advanced sensors and technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and self-learning software, are boosting the application areas within vehicles’ seats, creating opportunities to enhance comfort, wellness, and convenience for occupants. | |||
| Premium Vehicle Owners | Medium | Medium | High |
| Intelligent car seats with features such as personalized adjustments, adaptive climate control, and dynamic pneumatic support will become popular in high-end premium segments of electric and autonomous vehicles. Owners of these vehicles will likely be willing to pay for such luxury features. | |||
| Shift in Business Models | Low | Medium | High |
| The business model is shifting from a vehicle sales-oriented approach to a service-oriented approach. Smart seats are expected to improve the passenger experience inside the cabin and drive increased revenue opportunities for OEMs through monetizable services. | |||
Growth Restraints
| Restraint | 1–2 Years | 3–4 Years | 5–7 Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| L4 Robotaxis and Autonomous Cars | High | High | High |
| Smart seats have the greatest potential for use in next-gen self-driving vehicles. Delays in technology readiness, infrastructure support, and stringent local and state regulations could lag the deployment of L4 cars & robotaxis, thereby hindering the penetration of smart seats. | |||
| Higher Costs | High | High | High |
| Smart seats are equipped with advanced technologies and features, making them significantly more expensive than traditional seats. High costs can deter consumers, thereby limiting their adoption, especially in the mass market. | |||
| Data Privacy | Low | High | High |
| Smart seats will collect specific personal data, such as eye and face tracking, health parameters, and biometrics, in the future. Data privacy and a lack of specific regulations could deter the general public from using such electronics. | |||
Key Suppliers, 2023–2024
- Gentherm Inc.
- Gentherm Automotive Systems (China) Ltd.
- Lear Corporation
- Gentherm Europe (Formerly Amerigon Europe)
- Beijing BAI Lear Automotive Systems Co., Ltd.
- Shanghai Lear Automotive Systems Co., Ltd
- Lear Corporation México
- AEW Automotive Technology (Tianjin) Co., Ltd.
- Toyota Boshoku Corporation
- NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
- Gentherm de Mexico
Key Findings
Smart seats with energy-efficient features
Suppliers are conscious of developing energy-efficient designs with the increasing pace of smart features in automotive seats. This is evident in recent supplier innovations like heated seat belts for optimized heat flow to the occupants rather than to the entire cabin, graphene-based seats, and the usage of low-carbon fiber wires in seats for reduced energy consumption.
Supplier vs. OEM focus on innovation
Seat suppliers such as Lear and Faurecia are focusing on enhancing the comfort and convenience features (such as massage, wellness, and health monitoring features) of the seat, while OEMs are concentrating on innovative seat adjustments, memory controls, and versatile swivel capabilities.
Health-conscious seats
Today’s smart vehicles come with seats equipped with heating, ventilating, and multi-mode massaging, including lumbar-support massaging capabilities. They also have power seat adjustments (up to 28-way) and reclining capabilities. As the technology advances, car seats are expected to have tilt, swivel, and deep recline capabilities. They are also expected to be equipped with personalized health monitoring features.
Safety
In futuristic autonomous vehicles, seats could act as a safety assistant by integrating with the driver monitoring system and advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) functionalities to alert drivers of drowsiness, fatigue levels, and potential accidents and offer a comprehensive safety net during collisions.
Functional vehicles
Shared AVs will evolve into functional spaces in the future. They are expected to feature self-adjusting seats for accommodating different age groups and differently-abled people, adaptable seating positions for different functionalities (such as meetings, dining, and napping), and convertible sleeping pods for long overnight journeys.
Why Is It Increasingly Difficult to Grow?
The Strategic Imperative 8™
The Impact of the Top 3 Strategic Imperatives on Emerging Thermal and Sensing Technology in Automotive Seats
Growth Opportunities Fuel the Growth Pipeline Engine™
Scope of Analysis
Growth Drivers
Growth Restraints
Key Findings
Smart Seat Categories
OEM and Supplier Partnerships for Smart Seats
Swivel Seats in Key OEM Models
Smart Seat Categories and Potential Criticality in Autonomous Vehicles
Evolution from Traditional Seats to Smart Seats in Vehicles
Key Features in Next-gen Smart Seats
Analysis of Smart Seats in Current OEM Models
Seating Technology and Features, Roadmap to 2030
Seating Technology and Features, Roadmap to 2030 (continued)
Smart Seats Patents Filed by OEMs and Suppliers
Thermal Seat Categories
Key Suppliers, 2023–2024
OEM Models and their Thermal Seat Suppliers
OEM Models and their Thermal Seat Suppliers (continued)
Emerging Trends in Thermal Seats
The Impact of CASE on Next-gen Smart Seats
Types of Sensors Critical for Smart Seats
Opportunities for Sensor-based Smart Seats in Futuristic Personal and Shared Autonomous Vehicles
Emerging and Future Trends in Sensor-based Smart Seats
Potential Use Cases Expected to Emerge for Health & Wellness Seats
Analysis of Key Players in Pneumatic and Massaging Seats
OEM Models and their Pneumatic and Messaging Seat Suppliers
Key Players in Occupant Detection Systems in Automotive Seats
Key Players in Seat Motors (self-adjusting, lumbar support, reclining, swivel, and power seats)
Lear’s INTU Intelligent Seating System
Forvia (Faurecia): Advancements in Sensing Features in Seating Technology
Hyundai Transys: Seating Innovations
Growth Opportunity 1: Swivel Seats for Enhanced Occupant Comfort
Growth Opportunity 1: Swivel Seats for Enhanced Occupant Comfort (continued)
Growth Opportunity 2: Health & Wellness Seats for Improved Passenger Care
Growth Opportunity 2: Health & Wellness Seats for Improved Passenger Care (continued)
Growth Opportunity 3: Adaptive Safety Features
Growth Opportunity 3: Adaptive Safety Features (continued)
List of Exhibits
Legal Disclaimer
List of Figures- Emerging Thermal and Sensing Technology in Automotive Seats: Growth Drivers, Global, 2024–2030
- Emerging Thermal and Sensing Technology in Automotive Seats: Growth Restraints, Global, 2024–2030
- Key Suppliers and No. of New Vehicle Models Supplied, 2023 and 2024
- Key Suppliers and No. of New Vehicle Models Supplied, 2022–2024
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| Deliverable Type | Market Research |
|---|---|
| Author | Dorothy Amy |
| Industries | Automotive |
| No Index | No |
| Is Prebook | No |
| Keyword 1 | Thermal Technology Automotive Seats |
| Keyword 2 | Automotive Seat Innovations |
| Keyword 3 | Emerging Automotive Technologies |
| List of Charts and Figures | Emerging Thermal and Sensing Technology in Automotive Seats: Growth Drivers, Global, 2024–2030~ Emerging Thermal and Sensing Technology in Automotive Seats: Growth Restraints, Global, 2024–2030~ Key Suppliers and No. of New Vehicle Models Supplied, 2023 and 2024~ Key Suppliers and No. of New Vehicle Models Supplied, 2022–2024~ |
| Podcast | No |
| WIP Number | PFPA-01-00-00-00 |
Growth Opportunities for Emerging Thermal and Sensing Technology in Automotive Seats
Demand for Personalized Safety, Comfort, and Sustainability Features will Drive the Growth Potential of Smart Seating in the Automotive Industry
28-Aug-2024
Global
Market Research