Adient and Autoliv Unveil Breakthrough in Dynamic Seat Safety Solutions

Rhea-AI Summary

Adient (NYSE) and Autoliv announced a co-developed safety solution for deeply reclined (zero-gravity) seating now ready for mass production. The system pairs Adient’s Z-Guard seating concept with Autoliv safety technologies to protect head, neck, chest and pelvis in reclined positions.

Key elements include an active cushion collapse mechanism, an adjustable seat belt outlet, integrated seatbelt system, dynamic lumbar retractor, pelvic cushion airbag and head side airbag. Z-Guard also supports predictive, high-speed seat repositioning via vehicle driver assistance integration and is scheduled for production in a high-volume model from a major global OEM.

Positive

• Ready for mass production in a high-volume model
• Combines multiple safety systems covering head, neck, chest, pelvis
• Z-Guard integrates with vehicle driver assistance for predictive repositioning
• Includes active cushion collapse and adjustable belt outlet for energy management

Negative

• Predictive repositioning depends on OEM ADAS signals and integration
• If a vehicle cannot detect a crash in time, repositioning may not occur

Insights

Safety Systems Engineer

Adient and Autoliv co-developed a mass-production-ready dynamic seat safety system addressing deeply reclined (zero-gravity) occupant protection.

Z-Guard combines an active cushion collapse mechanism and an adjustable seat belt outlet with Autoliv components (Integrated Seatbelt System, Dynamic Lumbar Retractor, Pelvic Cushion Airbag, Head Side Airbag) to protect head, neck, chest and pelvis in deeply reclined postures. The system also uses dual pretensioners, cushion buffering and collapse mechanics to limit forward movement and submarining when pre-crash repositioning is unavailable.

The concept integrates with vehicle driver assistance signals for high-speed, motor-driven pre-crash seat repositioning but still provides mechanical protection without such signals. Key dependencies include OEM integration with vehicle electronic architecture and the reliability of predictive signals and actuators; these factors will determine real-world effectiveness. Monitor the announced high-volume OEM production program and any timeline disclosures after Oct 13, 2025 for commercialization scope and validation.

Automotive Commercial Strategist

Commercial rollout of Z-Guard in a high-volume OEM model signals a notable product and go-to-market milestone for seating safety in reclined positions.

The joint offering targets mid- to high-end vehicle segments where zero-gravity seating is being adopted; Adient leads commercialization while Autoliv supplies complementary restraint and airbag systems. Production readiness and a confirmed high-volume OEM program indicate near-term revenue potential tied to that program.

Main execution risks are integration with OEM cockpit electronics and meeting each automaker's engineering and certification timelines; outcomes depend on the unnamed OEM's launch schedule and acceptance criteria. Watch for specific model naming, production start dates and homologation milestones disclosed after Oct 13, 2025 to gauge scale and timing.

PLYMOUTH, Mich., Oct. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Adient, a global leader in automotive seating, and Autoliv, a leading supplier of automotive safety systems, have co-developed innovative safety solutions that significantly enhance occupant protection in deeply reclined seating positions – commonly referred to as zero-gravity. These solutions, now ready for mass production, combine Adient's new seating concept, Z-Guard, with Autoliv's advanced safety technologies.

As electrification and smart technologies continue to reshape the automotive industry, zero-gravity seating is gaining popularity in mid- to high-end vehicle models due to its ergonomic benefits. However, the deeply reclined posture can compromise the effectiveness of conventional safety systems, which are typically designed for standard upright seating, potentially leading to safety risks.

To address this challenge, Adient and Autoliv have jointly developed a groundbreaking safety solution that represents a major advancement in occupant protection in deeply reclined seating positions.

Multi-Dimensional Collaborative Protection: Full-Process Dynamic Safety System

Adient's Z-Guard is built around the principle of Multi-Dimensional Collaborative Protection, integrating advanced constraint and energy-absorbing technologies into a dynamic safety system designed to protect occupants in the event of a collision. At its core are two key innovations:

• Active Cushion Collapse Mechanism: In a crash, this feature rapidly collapses the seat frame to absorb energy and adjust posture, thereby reducing spinal impact and providing protection to vital body regions.
• Adjustable Seat Belt Outlet: This feature adapts to various passenger postures and body types, enhancing comfort while maximizing precise restraint and minimizing risks like shoulder slippage.

Complementing these innovations are additional technologies from Autoliv: the Integrated Seatbelt System for improved stability, Dynamic Lumbar Retractor for controlled restraint force, Pelvic Cushion Airbag to reduce pelvic impact, and Head Side Airbag for enhanced side collision protection in reclined positions. Together, these systems help safeguard critical areas – head, neck, chest, and pelvis – delivering truly dynamic, full-process occupant protection.

Proactive Predictive Protection: Building an Intelligent Safety Shelter

The Z-Guard concept enables deep integration with vehicle driver assistance systems, tailored to OEM requirements and real-world scenarios. Leveraging predictive signals, it utilizes high-speed, motor-driven seat repositioning to adjust the occupant's posture before a collision to reduce the risk of injury.

In cases where a vehicle cannot detect a crash in time or lacks active repositioning capabilities, Z-Guard still provides robust protection through dual pretensioners, cushion buffering and a collapse mechanism. These systems work in concert to prevent forward movement and submarining, enhancing reliable safety even in zero-gravity seating positions.

Toward Mass Production: Reshaping Industry Standards Together

The new seating concept is designed to meet the evolving demands of cockpit electronic architecture in the era of software-defined vehicles, seamlessly integrating safety features into the smart cockpit environment. With Adient leading the commercialization, Z-Guard is now scheduled for production in a high-volume model from a major global OEM – marking a significant milestone in bringing advanced occupant protection to market.

About Adient:

Adient (NYSE: ADNT) is a global leader in automotive seating. With around 70,000 employees in 29 countries, Adient operates more than 200 manufacturing/assembly plants worldwide. We produce and deliver automotive seating for all major OEMs. From complete seating systems to individual components, our expertise spans every step of the automotive seat-making process. Our integrated, in-house skills allow us to take our products from research and design to engineering and manufacturing — and into millions of vehicles every year. For more information on Adient, please visit www.adient.com.

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SOURCE Adient

FAQ

What is Adient and Autoliv's Z-Guard system announced on October 13, 2025?

Z-Guard is a seating and safety solution for deeply reclined (zero-gravity) positions that pairs Adient seat hardware with Autoliv restraint and airbag technologies and is ready for mass production.

Which safety features does Z-Guard include for NYSE-listed Adient?

The system includes an active cushion collapse mechanism, adjustable seat belt outlet, integrated seatbelt, dynamic lumbar retractor, pelvic cushion airbag and head side airbag.

When will Adient's Z-Guard enter production and on which models?

Z-Guard is scheduled for production in a high-volume model from a major global OEM; a specific model and production date were not disclosed.

How does Z-Guard use vehicle systems to improve safety for Adient (NYSE)?

Z-Guard can integrate with vehicle driver assistance to use predictive signals and perform high-speed seat repositioning before a collision to reduce injury risk.

Does Z-Guard protect occupants if a vehicle cannot detect a crash in time?

Yes; it still relies on dual pretensioners, cushion buffering and the collapse mechanism to provide protection when predictive repositioning is not available.

What occupant areas does the Adient and Autoliv solution specifically aim to protect?

The combined system targets protection of the head, neck, chest and pelvis in deeply reclined seating positions.