Further Experiments

If we could do this project again, we can use a more suitable pressure sensor to get more accurate data, because we used foot sensors to measure pressure for this experiment, and it is not that sensitive. We can also survey more people, with a larger range in driving habits as well as age range. We can also test other factors of discomfort, such as heat dissipation, and humidity.

Conclusion

Most current seats appear to be designed in keeping with ergonomic recommendations more than seats from previous decades. Of the design factors discussed in this project, Fit parameters are the most applied.

Although most current vehicle seats fit a large percentage of the driving population well, the cushion length and width could be improved. Some seats, particularly sporty bucket seats, have the required clearance, but have cushion side bolsters that constrict the buttocks of larger, reducing the effective cushion width below what is recommended.

Feel parameters, particularly body pressure distribution, have received substantial attention in recent years because advances in sensor technology.

A common misconception is that a certain pressure will produce minimal discomfort. However, pressure distribution alone does not give enough information about the discomfort stimuli perceived by the sitter to serve as an objective measure of the potential for discomfort. Pressure distribution does not give a useful measure of surface shear, which is an important factor in determining the critical pressure at which blood vessel occlusion will occur.

Support parameters, particularly lumbar support location and curvature, will probably continue to receive the greatest attention, both from researchers and manufacturers, because of the high risk of low-back pain from long term driving.