ABSTRACT
A first approach to improve the objective judgement of an automotive seat was made by the concept of "optimal" load distribution, based on the identification of a close relationship between the pressure on the seat and the discomfort felt by the person sitting. In the next step a further objectifYing of seat comfort will be made with an in vivo measuring of the pressure in the spinal disc, which is a reliable indicator for the load in the spine. For this research program the pressure sensor is implanted with a canula in the middle of the disc intervertebralis of a voluntary subject. This way the local pressure on the disc is defined in an automobile, concentrating on the very seat settings which cause pain in the upper back. From these results we will be able to improve our knowledge on how to avoid uncomfortable seating in automobiles and start making well-founded recommendations on seat construction. So an intelligent seat can be created, which can adjust the seatcomfort to each individual automaticly. Especially, for long term driving those systems are very interesting and can produce comfort on high level.
