Robots Test Car Seats

Seat Testing

Imagine you’ve settled comfortably into a new car seat. It feels tailor-made, right? Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has got some high-tech help ensuring that kind of comfort isn’t just a lucky strike. They use four robots known as KUKA Occubots to mimic years of wear and tear on those seats. These aren’t just any robots; they’re designed to simulate a decade’s worth of sitting in just five days. A pretty impressive feat if you think about it. Each of these machines pushes and prods a new seat design as much as 25,000 times with a force of around 180 pounds. That’s like every push of the seat being about the weight of a bulky guy standing on it.

These mechanical marvels are also in charge of testing the staying power and reliability of heated seats. Can imagine the amount of work humans would have to put in to carry out these tests. Over a longer 25-day stretch, the robots twist and turn, making sure that even after a lot of use, those heated systems will keep your seat toasty.

Why Robots?

So, why use robots, you ask? Well, they tirelessly work day and night without coffee breaks. Unlike humans, these robots don’t need to punch out or grab a breather. They’re equipped with on-board cameras that allow them to inspect their progress and identify any flaws independently. It’s like having a 24/7 laser-focused quality control agent.

Thomas Mueller, head of product engineering at JLR, says it well: “The first contact a customer has with our vehicles is often through the seat, and its comfort must consistently meet their high expectations throughout the vehicle’s life.” So ensuring quality right from the get-go is a top priority, and automation is key to achieving that.

Driving Experience

Experience a Land Rover, and it’s like that perfectly crafted seat welcomes you with open arms. The attention to detail in these seats—whether in a Range Rover or a Jaguar—matches that of high-end custom tailors. It’s the kind of comfort that accompanies a smooth drive, soaking up bumps like a champ while keeping every passenger at ease, whether cruising or off-roading. When the road gets bumpy, it feels more like gliding than bumping around. That’s not just the suspension talking, it’s those rigorously tested seats that make every drive feel like the first.

JLR’s dedication doesn’t stop at just comfort; it also extends to effective component testing. Every piece, every thread, is scrutinized. When stepping into a luxurious Range Rover or transforming into a Jaguar, it’s a combination of automation and human expertise that delivers the exceptional ride so many have come to love.