Login
My Garage
New hero

New, Twitching Seat Mimics Walking to Improve Health, Jaguar Says

By Stephen Turvil | February 3, 2020

Share

Why not leave a comment?

See all | Add a comment

New car seat tricks brain into thinking you are walking to minimise health problems caused by sitting, Jaguar says

New, Twitching Seat Mimics Walking to Improve Health, Jaguar Says
More On This Car
Take one for a spin
Request a Jaguar test drive

Jaguar Land Rover ‘morphable seat’ explained

Jaguar Land Rover is developing a revolutionary seat that tricks the brain into thinking you are walking to minimise any health problems caused by sitting too long, it explained. Whereas it is tempting to consider this ‘morphable seat’ little more than a marketing folly, maybe it could help some people (if it works). The manufacturer has therefore recited a few facts to justify its idea.

For example, the World Health Organisation says that a quarter of the world’s population live ‘increasingly sedentary lives’ (1.4 billion people). This can ‘shorten muscles in the legs, hips, and gluteals’ and cause ‘back pain’. Furthermore, ‘weakened muscles’ increase the likelihood of falling and sustaining further injuries.

Jaguar Land Rover also quoted the Department for Transport to support the case for its ‘morphable seat’. It revealed that motorists travel 146 miles per week in the United Kingdom (on average). That equates to a considerable time sitting behind the steering wheel – particularly if the traffic is slow and heavy.

New, Twitching Seat Mimics Walking to Improve Health, Jaguar Says Image

The solution

The ‘morphable seat’ is the proposed solution. Its horizontal cushion therefore contains actuators that make it move. First, for example, the part beneath your left leg moves. The part beneath your right leg then follows suit. These ‘constant micro-adjustments make your brain think you are walking’, the manufacturer suggested. 

Dr Steve Iley, Jaguar Land Rover Chief Medical Officer, said: ‘The wellbeing of our customers and employees is at the heart of all our technological research projects. We are using our engineering expertise to develop the seat of the future using innovative technologies – not seen before in the automotive industry – to help tackle an issue that affects people across the globe’, he revealed.

How to optimise your seating position

As the ‘morphable seat’ is not yet available, the manufacturer has revealed how to optimise your existing seating position. Simply:

  • remove bulky items from your pockets
  • push your bottom as close as possible to the back of the seat
  • ensure the whole of your back touches the seat
  • keep your shoulders in contact with the seat
  • adjust the rear of the seat so your spine and pelvis are straight (in other words, avoid leaning too far back)
  • move the seat forward/back so your knees are slightly bent when the pedals are pressed all the way to the floor
  • ensure your elbows are slightly bent when holding the wheel
  • line up the top of the headrest with the top of your head.
More On This Car
Take one for a spin
Request a Jaguar test drive

Related Articles

Polestar 7 electric SUV coming in 2028 – Here’s what you need to know
Polestar confirms its new electric SUV, the Polestar 7, for 2028. It’s set to rival the Tesla Model Y and be built in Europe for the first...
Jul 04, 2025
Inside the parking fine scandal – Faulty machines, £100 fines, and no way to fight back
Private parking firms issued 14.4M fines last year. Here’s how the DVLA is making millions selling driver data.
Jul 04, 2025
Tesla’s sales slump continues – Is a budget model the answer?
Tesla's sales are falling for the second year in a row. Could a cheaper EV be the comeback they need?
Jul 04, 2025
North Yorkshire’s first permanent speed camera knocked down just hours before going live
North Yorkshire Police have launched an investigation and confirmed they believe the damage was intentional
Jul 02, 2025