[RahulNagaraj]

Toyota has filed a patent application for what the company calls " kinetic seat cushions for vehicles".



As per the patent filing, the seat cushions are mounted on a sub-frame which allows them to move in response to the forces acting on the seat. According to the patent, the pivoting motion of the seat assembly helps keep the driver centred at all times, instead of being thrown around by the forces imparted by the vehicle, either while cornering or when driving over rough terrain.

The kinetic seat cushions, like Toyota's IsoDynamic Performance Seat on the Tacoma TRD Pro, help reduce fatigue and stabilise the driver's field of vision by allowing the seat to move.



However, while the IsoDynamic Performance seat will make its way onto the 2024 Tacoma TRD Pro, whether the "kinetic seat cushions" has a similar future is yet to be determined. Reports suggest Toyota could just be patenting the tech to prevent other manufacturers from developing it.

Source: MotorAuthority

Link to Team-BHP news

[subuiyer]

Originally Posted by RahulNagaraj

Toyota has filed a patent application for what the company calls " kinetic seat cushions for vehicles".

[/b]

Question from a commoner - is this similar to how gimbals are used to stabilize lens apparatus in phone cameras? Not same mechanism, but similar outcomes?

[Vikram Arya]

These newfangled seats are standard equipment on the 2024 Tacoma TRD Pro.

Dubbed IsoDynamic Performance seats, these seats are exclusive to the 2024 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro variant and feature built-in, four-way shock absorption. Yes, that means the seats can—and do—move. Per Toyota, "the goal of this patent-pending feature is to stabilize the driver's field of vision to improve focus, comfort, and reduce fatigue while on rugged trails."

Using "air-over-oil" shock absorbers, which as can be seen are righteously exposed on the seatbacks, the IsoDynamic Performance Seats allow "for vertical and lateral seat movement simultaneously to dampen body movement and stabilize the head and neck to keep alignment with the spine."

The four-way movement in the seats ultimately mimics the air-ride seats on heavy trucks and other commercial equipment. The IsoDynamic seats are adjustable, you can dial back the cushioning "via levers on the seatbacks." The left gauge and knob handle side-to-side motions, while the righthand units deal with up and down.



Source: https://www.motortrend.com/

[som9729]

Originally Posted by Vikram Arya

These newfangled seats are standard equipment on the 2024 Tacoma TRD Pro.[/url]

Do these seats actually solve a problem?
Or are they a solution searching for a problem?

[Arbind Ray]

When I first read the headlines I thought it was referring to generation of electricity akin to offshore wave farms designed to harness energy.

Sounded incredible though some modern cars are already equipped with the technology to lean into direction of travel while cornering. This approach localizes center of gravity issues for the driver.

[Vikram Arya]

Originally Posted by som9729

Do these seats actually solve a problem?
Or are they a solution searching for a problem?

That's a great point & I appreciate your skepticism as we have seen over the years various companies bringing to the table so-called innovative ideas that were just "great ideas". They did not particularly solve a problem that in the customer's mind was a major problem. Some of those that come to mind are:

• Gesture control
• Voice recognition
• Change-up indicator
• CVT paddle shifters
• Beeping back-up warning
• G-force meter

As has been described in the original post by Rahul, these seats intend to help keep the driver centered at all times, instead of being thrown around by the forces imparted by the vehicle, either while cornering or when driving over rough terrain.

I'm sure Toyota has tested the seat design extensively and made sure that these are addressing a problem that is a concern of the customer.

I believe that these seats will be a great feature on off-road going trucks which in the case of Tacomas means 5% or even less.

How useful would these prove to be for the subject pick-up trucks that are perenially on the road remains to be seen. 2024 Tacomas are yet to hit the dealer lots; I guess we'll know more about the user feedback later in the year.

[Arbind Ray]

Originally Posted by som9729

Do these seats actually solve a problem?
Or are they a solution searching for a problem?

Your post reminded me of the Kolkata based packaging company that employed visually impaired staff to reduce downtime as a direct result of former staff pausing to read the newspapers used in said packing. Apart from boost in efficiency, credentials of the Company were elevated on account of actively promoting Equal Opportunities in the workplace.