Project summary:

    Passenger comfort is clearly a main factor in user's acceptance of transportation systems. An individual's reaction to a vehicle environment depends not only on the physical inputs but also on the characteristics of the individual. The findings of a number of passengers' surveys and comfort related research indicate that there is not a universal optimal setting for comfort related parameters in a plane. Hence individual passengers are always likely to have certain conflicting requirements as perception for comfort is affected by a variety of factors - gender and ethnicity among the most important ones. SEAT promotes a radically new concept where passenger comfort is taken to a new level.

    The SEAT system will develop smart responsive seats and interior environment with the capability of detecting physiological and psychological changes of passenger's condition in real time. This in turn will be analysed and appropriate adjustments such as temperature control, air ventilation, seat parameters etc. put in place. Furthermore each passenger will be able to create its own retrieve with personal entertainment and office characteristics in place. The entire approach is to create an environment that responds to the individual requirements and desires and is not centrally controlled or manually adjusted. The system is based on advanced technologies and systems developed by the partners as breakthrough research developments or other advanced technologies.

    A prototype of this new system is to be demonstrated to the public at the end of the project.