2005 NAIAS: Genus Concept Seat-Evolutionary Vision of the Future in Automotive Seating

Advanced Design from Global Seating Leader Sets New Benchmarks for Comfort, Styling, Functionality

DETROIT, Jan. 9 -- Engineers and designers at Johnson Controls , a leading global supplier of vehicle interiors and batteries, have created a vision of the future evolution in automotive seating. The Genus Concept Seat -- a prototype that reflects this vision and offers leading-edge features and technologies -- is on display this week at Detroit's Cobo Center. It's among the dozens of innovations highlighted in the Johnson Controls product and technology exhibit (room D2-15) at the 2005 North American International Auto Show.

"We have gathered industry and consumer input, and this seat reflects our findings," said Bill Fluharty, vice president of industrial design and new product strategy for Johnson Controls. "The Genus Concept Seat challenges our customers and ourselves, and shows that tomorrow's seat systems from Johnson Controls can establish a whole new set of benchmarks for value, innovation, comfort and brand differentiation."

According to Fluharty, the Genus Concept Seat offers significant benefits for both automakers and vehicle-buyers. It features a bold, innovative design; a thin, lightweight structure; a cantilevered base; a sleek appearance; and active comfort features. Its design enhances cabin space and reduces overall system weight. In addition, the prototype features advanced new materials that have comfort and environmental advantages.

In planning the development of Genus, Johnson Controls' designers and engineers studied today's most advanced seating styles in the automotive, aerospace, and office- and home-furniture industries. They examined recent concept seats created by automobile manufacturers. Additionally, team members factored in market needs -- in terms of features, materials and safety -- and reviewed top suppliers offering the best-available technologies. Also considered were findings from the company's ongoing consumer research studies on seating products, features and materials.

"The Genus Concept Seat pushes the limits and possibilities of seat design to deliver a fully optimized system that is highly innovative and clearly desirable," said Fluharty. "It offers better integration, improved cabin space and advances in active comfort. The extraordinary design provides automakers with opportunities for enhanced brand differentiation and high value -- all of which will enhance the motoring experience."

On the styling front, Genus features a thin overall profile and an exposed, ultra-light, composite structure. More occupant room and storage space are made available, thanks to the concept's thinner seatback and open foot well. A cantilevered structure enables the seat to be raised, suspended on its base unit, and integrated into the vehicle's floor pan. In addition, the concept has a sub-floor, seat-adjuster system.

Genus provides exceptional functionality and performance. It features active seating surfaces that conform automatically to a person's body shape, breathable materials and under-seat courtesy lighting. The concept's mesh fabric can play a key role in reducing load and cycle demands on a vehicle's air conditioning system. The Genus Concept Seat also is designed for outstanding ease-of-assembly and ease-of-disassembly, which are increasingly important requirements for automakers.

To keep occupants comfortable, Genus features Johnson Controls' Vibratech (VT) foam technology on all contact surfaces, an active comfort design featuring Live Back(TM) technology, as well as an anthropometric pivot. Breathable suspension materials are included in both the seat and cushion bolster surfaces of Genus. The anthropometric pivot optimizes comfort by replicating the natural pivot point of the human body. Genus also sets new standards for passenger safety, active head restraint, adjustable thigh support and anti-submarine design.

Johnson Controls gained access to the Live Back technology as a result of its relationship with Steelcase, Inc., an office furniture manufacturer that developed Live Back technology for its popular Leap(R) high-performance office chair. In both office-furniture and vehicle-seating applications, the technology is unmatched in its ability to automatically conform to an individual's body shape and seating position.

According to Fluharty, the Johnson Controls team that created the Genus Concept Seat sought to integrate into the concept a wide range of advanced features and technologies. But they also attempted to create a vision that was economically feasible, and based on materials and approaches that are available and viable for current-day design, engineering and production.

Johnson Controls is a global market leader in automotive systems and facility management and control. In the automotive market, it is the largest supplier of integrated seating and interior systems, and batteries. For non- residential facilities, Johnson Controls provides control systems and services including comfort, energy and security management. Johnson Controls , founded in 1885, has headquarters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.