A vehicle has multiple alternative driving positions, with one or more visual displays assigned to each driving position for depicting content required to drive the vehicle. A selection device identifies a vehicle occupant as a driver, determines a location of the driver within the vehicle, and designates as the active driving position whichever of the alternative driving positions the driver occupies. A processing unit transfers video relevant to vehicle operation to one or more of the displays visible from the active driving position and enables control of the vehicle from the active driving position. The selection device may also check whether the vehicle occupant meets one or more conditions required to be designated as the vehicle driver, and may determine an identity associated with the driver so that the displayed video is customized or personalized in accordance with that identity.

An article of vehicle furniture includes one or more adaptive support elements. Each of the adaptive support elements includes a carbon fiber layer operable between support and configurable conditions and a heating element in thermal communication with the carbon fiber layer. The heating element is configured to heat the carbon fiber layer from the support condition to the configurable condition. Each of the adaptive support elements further includes a thermal barrier layer, wherein the heating element is disposed between the thermal barrier layer and the carbon fiber layer.

A seating arrangement with improved seating comfort. In one embodiment, the seating arrangement is for a transportation vehicle. The arrangement includes seats at least having two levels adjacent to single-level seats. The multi-level seats include at least a bottom row of seats and a top row of seats. In one embodiment, the bottom row seats are on a floor; and there is an imaginary horizontal plane that is parallel to the floor, and that at least a part of the top row seats and at least a part of the bottom row seats intersect. The single-level seats include at least two rows, with at least one seat in each row being adjacent to the aisle, to allow passengers to access the single-level seats. In another embodiment, a seating arrangement includes only multi-level seats. In yet another embodiment, a computer-implemented method is applicable to the seats, such as allowing the display of a visual representation of a top-row seat and a bottom-row seat.

When an occupant stretches his/her lower extremity in a state where putting his/her foot on a foot resting portion during autonomous driving of a vehicle, a seat is controlled so as to move rearward and obliquely upward along a control portion. Concurrently, a seat cushion is controlled so that its front portion moves downward while being supported by a link member and then its inclination angle is made gentle. When at least one of a position and an angle of at least one of the seat cushion and the seatback is controlled, an upper end of the seat is located on an inclined straight line extending downward on a forward side of the upper end.

A vehicle seating assembly includes a lower leg support, a seat, and a seatback. A seat rotational member rotatably couples the lower leg support to the seat. A seatback rotational member rotatably couples the seat to the seatback.

A seat assembly comprises a frame assembly, including: a base frame; a seat bottom frame rotatably coupled with the base frame; and a seatback frame rotatably coupled to the base frame. The frame assembly can include a plurality of positions, including a reclined position, a design position, an easy-entry position, and a folded position. The seat bottom frame may be engaged with the base frame and/or the seatback frame in the reclined position and the design position. The seat bottom frame may be disengaged from the base frame and/or seatback frame in the folded position.

A vehicle seat including at least one outer frame on which an outer part of a seating surface is supported, and at least one inner frame on which an inner part of the seating surface is supported and which is movable relative to the outer frame.

A vehicle includes a first seat. A seat base is selectively coupled to the first seat via an engaging member extending from a proximal end of the seat base. The seat base has an attached configuration and a detached configuration. The seat base couples with the first seat and forms a second seat facing away from the first seat in the attached configuration. The seat base is decoupled from the first seat in the detached configuration. A backrest is common to the first and second seats in the attached configuration. A frame structure operably couples the first seat with the vehicle. The frame structure includes a receiving member interfacing with the seat base. The engaging member engages the receiving member to couple the seat base with the backrest.

An airbag assembly includes an airbag and a panel. The panel extends from a first apex to a second apex each spaced from the airbag. The panel includes a depressed region between the first apex and the second apex. The depressed region is attached to the airbag. During a vehicle impact, the momentum of the occupant may move the occupant toward the depressed region of the panel. The airbag may absorb energy from the occupant, and the apexes encourage the occupant to be retained in the depressed region.

A seating system for a vehicle includes a first sidewall and a second sidewall. A second sidewall opposes the first sidewall. The first sidewall and the second sidewall at least partially define a cargo space. A first seating assembly is coupled to the first sidewall. A second seating assembly is coupled to the first sidewall. A bench seat is configured to be selectively adjustable between an adjacent support position and a cross support position. The bench seat is coupled to the first seating assembly and the second seating assembly when in the adjacent support position. The bench seat is coupled to the first sidewall and the second sidewall in the cross support position.