Journal of Auto-vehicle Safety Association ISSN:2005-9396(Print) 자동차안전학회지

The advancement of autonomous driving technology is expected to transform cars beyond mere transportation into multifunctional spaces for relaxation and entertainment. As autonomous driving technology becomes more sophisticated, with no need for direct driver control, the interior space of vehicles is anticipated to be utilized for various purposes. Consequently, the importance of car seats, the component most frequently interacted with by passengers during travel, is expected to significantly rise. However, existing car seats are designed according to a seated posture, necessitating verification for passenger safety and seat structure considerations in the context of autonomous driving, where comfortable postures may differ. For these reasons, it is anticipated that the seats of future autonomous vehicles will evolve with the incorporation of additional safety and convenience features. In this study, a three-axis car simulator was employed to investigate seat angles for comfortable postures of passengers in autonomous driving scenarios. Representative postures were identified to enhance passenger convenience. Furthermore, functional design factors contributing to passenger comfort were applied to conduct seat design, seat structure, and collision analysis, with an analysis of the interrelationships among design factors.