HMI for Advanced Seat Adjustments

Modern powered seats offer more than 28 ways to adjust, with more coming. Research shows many users never adjust their seat properly, which means discomfort, frustration and features nobody uses. Adding a button per function had reached its limit, and pushing everything onto a touchscreen is the wrong answer in a car.

An HMI that manages the growing number of seat functions without overwhelming the user, scales without adding physical controls, and works without a display. Controls align with the user's anthropometry, applying an 80/20 logic to reach good posture quickly, and make advanced functions discoverable rather than hidden. The design adapts across vehicle situations and autonomy levels from L2 to L4.

I designed and built the fully functional prototype during my time at Faurecia: the controller, the mode structure, the multimodal feedback and the installation on an automotive seat.

A single controller cycles through modes with a tap. Mode 0 adjusts the whole seat: backrest tilt, height and length, with full-seat vibration confirming the zone. Mode 1 targets the cushion: tilt, height and length, with localized vibration in the cushion. Mode 2 reaches upper back, lumbar height and lumbar intensity, with localized vibration in the backrest. The feedback confirms what is being adjusted without a glance.

For Faurecia, a demonstrated HMI for advanced seating and multi-function seats. For automotive manufacturers, a scalable approach bridging current and future in-vehicle experiences. For users, faster, better posture and a frustration-free adjustment process.