A side member (10) for a vehicle seat (1), in particular motor vehicle seat, includes a metallic frame section (12). The frame section (12) has an exposed supporting section (14) for supporting a padding of the side member (10), wherein the supporting section (14) is flexurally elastic and, in a normal position, protrudes from the frame section (12) in order to support the padding, wherein at least one electrically controllable actuator (20) is provided, which, by generating a force, transfers the supporting section (14) from the normal position into a retracted position. The invention furthermore relates to a vehicle seat (1) having at least one side member (10).

Provided is a boarding/deboarding controller that enables reduce time and effort for boarding and deboarding a vehicle of which canopy is opened or closed to allow a user boards or deboards. One aspect of the present disclosure provides a boarding/deboarding controller for a vehicle including a seat, an occupant compartment provided with the seat, and a canopy that moves to a closed position where the canopy covers the occupant compartment and to an opened position, which is situated upper than the closed position. The boarding/deboarding controller is configured to change a posture or position of the seat concurrently while the canopy is moved from the closed position to the opened position in an opened movement, or, from the opened position to the closed position in a closed movement.

A motor vehicle including at least one individual seat is provided. The individual seat includes a seat part and a backrest. The seat part has a seat-part main shell and seat-part side shells arranged thereon on respective sides. The backrest has a backrest main shell and backrest side shells arranged thereon on respective sides. A rail system is provided, which moves the respective seat-part side shell and/or the respective backrest side shell in a desired or specified position by way of actuators.

A device and a method for automatically restoring a seatback is provided in which a seatback is electrically deployed at a predetermined angle by being interlocked when a seat of a vehicle is moved to a predetermined position to facilitate a passenger to get into and out of the vehicle. The device includes a seat cushion, a seatback installed in the seat cushion to be adjustable in angle, a seat rail, and a seat track slidably installed in the seat rail. A seat position detection sensor detects a position of the seat track and a seat position detection member operates the seat position detection sensor. A seatback angle adjustment motor adjusts an angle of the seatback. When the seat position detection sensor detects that the seat track reaches a predetermined operating position, the seatback angle adjustment motor deploys the seatback.

A swivel assembly for a vehicle seating assembly includes a fixed plate defining a first opening. A rotating plate defines a second opening. The rotating plate is positioned substantially parallel to the fixed plate. A gear ring is positioned about a periphery of the first opening. An inner retaining bracket is received by the first and second openings and is coupled with the gear ring. An outer retaining bracket is coupled with the rotating plate and defines a channel. The fixed plate is at least partially received by the channel. A washer is positioned between the fixed plate and the rotating plate. A bearing member includes first and second legs. The first leg is positioned between the rotating plate and the fixed plate. The second leg is positioned between the fixed plate and the inner retaining bracket.

An integration between vehicle and a docking structure includes reconfiguring the vehicle for docking with the docking structure. The integration includes autonomous or automatic docking without human control; and transfer of power and data to and from the vehicle and the docking structure. A support height of a transition support of the vehicle is set to approximately the support height of a platform of the docking structure.

A method can be used for automatic lateral repositioning of a child safety seat on a back seat of a motor vehicle. The child safety seat is configured to move laterally across the back seat between lateral sides of the motor vehicle. The method includes determining the lateral position of the child safety seat on the back seat of the motor vehicle, determining a current or intended parking situation of the motor vehicle, deciding which lateral side of the motor vehicle is a preferred access side for the determined parking situation, and laterally repositioning the child safety seat to a preferred position at the preferred access side of the motor vehicle.

A vehicle includes: a driving seat; a pair of doors; a seat moving mechanism configured to move the driving seat between a driving state and a receiving state, the driving seat in the driving state being positioned at a vehicle width direction center and facing a vehicle front, and the receiving state satisfying at least one condition of: the driving seat being positioned closer to one door of the pair of doors than in the driving state or the driving seat facing further toward the one door than in the driving state; a detection unit configured to detect a portable device in a detection area in a vicinity of the vehicle and outside a passenger compartment; and a seat control unit that controls the seat moving mechanism so as to move the driving seat into the receiving state.

A user destination is identified based on received location information from a user. A first seat in a vehicle is assigned to the user based on the user destination. At least one of the first seat and a second seat in the vehicle is moved upon user entry until a distance between the first seat and the second seat is greater than a distance threshold.

Seat assemblies are provided which include a seat base structure, a seat cushion supported by the seat base structure and at least a lateral outboard seat lip positioned relative to the seat cushion so as to assist a passenger during seat entry and exit. The lateral outboard seat lip is preferably attached relative to the seat cushion for manual movements between an extended position wherein the outboard seat lip extends outwardly thereby increasing effective surface area of the seat cushion and a deflected position wherein the outboard seat lip extends upwardly or downwardly relative to the seat cushion so as to thereby decrease the effective surface area of the seat cushion.