JLR has revealed the rigorous seat testing regime it carries out, with four dedicated robots – KUKA Occubots – each simulating a decade of sitting, moving and twisting in a matter of days, to ensure comfort for the company’s clients.
In recognition of the importance of comfort and convenience – which are the foremost features when deciding to buy a vehicle according to a recent survey commissioned by JLR of over 2,000 luxury and premium SUV clients – the robots test a range of different foams and coverings for quality, safety and comfort.
Robot testing
The robots can exert forces more than 800N (82kg) on each seat design 25,000 times over a period of around five days, simulating movements akin to people of varying body shapes and weights entering a vehicle and sitting in one of its seats.
The Occubots also review the resilience of the vehicles’ heated seats. Across 20,000 cycles over 25 days, a robot reenacts actions such as sliding and twisting in the seat, applying huge forces ranging from 350N to 700N to ensure the heated seat is robust and will remain operational throughout a vehicle’s lifespan.
Integrated sensors in the robot track torque hundreds of times per second to ensure forces are maintained during different tests, while a camera communicates with the Occubots to take regular photos 24/7, to independently review progress and investigate failures. The robots also test how quickly foam recovers its shape following pressure from different body types.
Thomas Mueller, JLR executive director, product engineering, said, “Settling into your seat is one of the first experiences when entering one of our vehicles. Comfort is critical to luxury, so it’s a make-or-break moment for our clients and they expect a consistently comfortable ride over the life of their vehicle.
“We’ve invested in robots to work alongside our expert engineers and rigorously test every aspect of our seat materials in super quick time. Automation like this is a vital part of our comprehensive vehicle quality component testing programme, which helps us review vehicle elements over a lifetime of usage and in the most extreme environments.”
JLR’s investment in virtual testing forms part of the company’s wider £18bn Reimagine strategy.
In related news, Ford has launched the SupportBelt, a soft, foam accessory that attaches to a car seatbelt to relieve pressure on the chest
