⌂ John Hilla

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DEPLOYABLE SEATING

General Motors Research & Design
University of Michigan

Foldable jump seats are commonly used in trucks and vans to provide additional seating in cargo areas where a conventional automotive seat cannot be accommodated. Because these auxiliary seats are intended only for occasional use and must occupy minimal space when stowed, they often involve significant compromises in comfort and safety. Building off of previous research findings on other projects with General Motors, an opportunity was identified to apply advanced knitting technologies for the design of lightweight, textile-based seating systems.

We hypothesized that engineered knit structures could provide a more compact and adaptable alternative to the jump-seat constructions while improving comfort, safety, and stowability. A primary challenge in automotive seating is the durability of materials as seating components must withstand rigorous abrasion and wear testing. To address this constraint, we investigated Hytrel, a thermoplastic elastomer already used in automotive applications for its combination of strength, flexibility, and durability. Sourcing a knit-capable version of this material became our point of departure.

Leveraging Hytrel’s elastomeric properties, we developed knitted suspension surfaces capable of providing optimized shock absorption, pressure distribution, breathability, and long-term seating comfort. These textiles could be tensioned directly into a seat frame using a minimal number of attachment points, reducing overall weight and improving seat stowability. To further enhance comfort, we also developed a knitted spacer fabric that utilized Hytrel as a lofted core material, creating an integrated cushioning layer without the need for conventional foam padding.