Reports about Project Titan, the Apple Car - also known as iCar, have been with us for years. Whether Apple will ever introduce its own car remains to be seen. But patents, as always, provide insight. Would you like a car seat that can change its shape?
The first reports about Project Titan were documented in 2015. Since then, new technologies have been patented on a regular basis, providing deep insights into Apples world of ideas. This is also the case in the patent with the identifier #10569672. This describes a technology that allows the shape of a car seat to be changed. The interesting thing is that the technology can also be used on office chairs. The aim is to create a comfortable and safer seat and at the same time prevent the elements from wearing out. The patent description states:
Commonly used trim materials include a suede fabric, leather and vinyl. Various contours, indentations, divisions and seams of the conventional vehicle seat tend to create a lumpy, unattractive surface that is difficult to clean and maintain. Vehicle seats that contain such elements deform over time and tend to show wear. The upholstery in particular tends to wear out due to passengers getting in and out of the seats.
Apple Car: How to prevent deformation
But how can such deformations be prevented? The answer is a special technology that enables dynamic car seats. In fact, these would be partially inflatable. This way there would be no deformation and the seats would always be comfortable. Apple's explanation on this is as follows:
In some embodiments, the dynamic cushions include inflatable chambers that cause changes in the shapes of the dynamic cushions, resulting in a complex curvature of the dynamic seat. The cover covers the dynamic cushions and is at least partially in contact with the dynamic cushions. In some examples, the inflatable chambers are inflated with ambient air. In some examples, the inflatable chambers are coupled to a reservoir located behind or below the seat.
Some luxury vehicles already have special seats that can react dynamically in special situations, such as sharp bends. It can be assumed that Apple is building on this technology. But as always, patents are officially only protected ideas. A final realization is not mandatory and they often remain just an idea. In the case of Project Titan, the entire Apple Car could even remain just such an idea. (Photo by bigtunaonline / Bigstockphoto)
