Leggett Dynamics Showcases Award-Finalist Innovations at Automotive News Congress in Detroit

Leggett Dynamics will present two award-finalist seating technologies across multiple 2026 automotive industry events in the US and Europe.

Rhea-AI Summary

Leggett Dynamics (SGI) will showcase its Mid-Class Massage System and Smart Brushless Motor, both named 2026 Automotive News PACE and PACE Pilot award finalists, at the 50th Automotive News Congress in Detroit on September 29-30, 2026.

The Mid-Class Massage System, already in production with a global OEM, uses the Coandă effect to deliver a distinct massage experience while eliminating electronics and moving parts to reduce complexity and cost. The Smart Brushless Motor is designed for software-defined vehicles, supporting scalable integration across seat configurations, enabling direct communication between the vehicle ECU and actuators, and reducing wiring, weight and complexity for quieter, smoother and faster seat adjustment and future platform flexibility.

Leggett Dynamics will also feature these innovations at the Automotive Design & In-Cabin Expo in Novi and the International Suppliers Fair (IZB) in Wolfsburg, and its president will speak at the American Automotive Summit on September 16, 2026.

Key Terms

coandă effect, brushless motor, ecu, actuators

4 terms

coandă effect technical

"the system uses the Coandă effect to create a distinctive massage experience"

A fluid-flow phenomenon where a jet of air or liquid tends to cling to and follow along a nearby curved surface instead of flowing in a straight line, similar to how smoke can wrap around the side of a building. Investors should care because engineers use this behavior to improve efficiency, control, and performance in products like aircraft wings, ventilation systems, and medical devices; small changes based on the effect can cut fuel use, reduce noise, or alter safety and production costs.

brushless motor technical

"the company's Smart Brushless Motor has been named a finalist"

A brushless motor is an electric motor that uses electronic controls instead of physical brushes to switch the current that makes the motor spin, resulting in higher efficiency, less maintenance and longer life. For investors, brushless motors matter because they often lower operating costs, improve product performance and enable smaller, lighter designs—factors that can boost margins, expand market opportunities and signal technological competitiveness in industries like manufacturing, EVs, drones and appliances.

ecu technical

"communication between the vehicle-level ECU and individual actuators"

A European Currency Unit (ECU) was a unit of account made by combining several national European currencies into a single value, like a weighted shopping basket that tracked the collective worth of those currencies. Investors care because financial contracts, historical prices, and long-standing liabilities may be denominated or referenced in ECUs, so understanding it helps compare past values, convert legacy figures into current currency terms, and assess contractual obligations tied to that unit.

actuators technical

"the vehicle-level ECU and individual actuators and reduces wiring"

Mechanical or electronic components that convert energy into movement or action, like the muscles in a machine that make valves open, robot arms move, or medical devices deliver precise doses. Investors care because the choice and quality of actuators affect a product’s performance, durability, manufacturing cost and scalability, which in turn influence revenue, margins and competitive position in hardware-heavy industries.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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Mid-Class Massage System & Smart Brushless Motor Named Finalist For 2026 Automotive News PACE & PACE Pilot Awards

DETROIT, MI / ACCESS Newswire / September 9, 2026 / Leggett Dynamics will showcase two next-generation comfort and motion technologies at the 50^th Automotive News Congress, September 29-30 in Detroit, Michigan. Both innovations have been named finalists for 2026 Automotive News awards, recognizing the company's commitment to developing innovative comfort and motion solutions that address the evolving needs of automakers and consumers.

Leggett Dynamics' Mid-Class Massage System has been named a finalist for the 2026 Automotive News PACE Award, while the company's Smart Brushless Motor has been named a finalist for the 2026 Automotive News PACE Pilot Award.

During the 50^th Automotive News Congress event, attendees are invited to visit Leggett Dynamics' showcase to explore both technologies firsthand and connect with the team behind their development. The showcase will offer a closer look at the Mid-Class Massage System and Smart Brushless Motor and their applications for the next generation of vehicle seating.

"Automakers continue to balance innovation, speed and cost while preparing for the next generation of vehicles," said Julien Rea, Vice President of Global Innovation and Engineering at Leggett Dynamics. "Our innovations reflect our commitment to helping customers bring differentiated technologies to market faster. We are honored to be recognized by Automotive News for both innovations."

About Leggett Dynamics' Mid-Class Massage System

The Mid-Class Massage System is a breakthrough comfort innovation that expands premium massage technology beyond the luxury vehicle segment. Now in production with a global OEM, the system uses the Coandă effect to create a distinctive massage experience while eliminating electronics and moving parts, reducing complexity and cost.

About Leggett Dynamics' Smart Brushless Motor

The Smart Brushless Motor addresses the industry's shift toward software-defined vehicles and centralized vehicle architectures. The solution supports scalable integration across multiple seat configurations, enables direct communication between the vehicle-level ECU and individual actuators and reduces wiring, weight and complexity. The result is a quieter, smoother seating adjustment, faster memory recall and greater flexibility for future vehicle platforms.

In addition to the 50^th Automotive News Congress, Leggett Dynamics will showcase these innovations at the Automotive Design & In-Cabin Expo in Novi, Michigan (October 27-29, Booth #A200) and the International Suppliers Fair (IZB) in Wolfsburg, Germany (October 27-29, Hall IZB1 Stand 1430). Beyond these showcases, Leggett Dynamics President Marinela Cirstea will participate in a fireside chat at the American Automotive Summit on September 16, 2026, to discuss the critical role of supplier-partners in innovating the next-generation of in-cabin experiences.

About Leggett Dynamics

Leggett Dynamics is the brand representing the automotive businesses of Leggett & Platt, Incorporated. Under the Leggett Dynamics brand, these businesses deliver eMotion and Comfort solutions for automotive seating, liftgates, doors, sunroofs and more. Leggett Dynamics businesses operate globally, with a footprint spanning 28 locations across 12 countries and employing more than 6,200 people, with key locations in Detroit, Nuremberg and Shanghai. As a strategic partner to more than 140 customers worldwide, Leggett Dynamics offers a Comfort Systems Platform (massage, lumbar, bolster and suspension), Motion Systems Platform (motors, actuators and cables), Software & Integration Platform and Innovation Services, including advanced engineering co-development and human factors studies. Leggett Dynamics is a brand within Leggett & Platt, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Somnigroup International Inc. (NYSE:SGI) and a manufacturer of residential, industrial and furniture products that has been engineering comfort for over 140 years across the places where people sleep, work, live and move.

Link to Press Kit: Automotive News Congress

Media Contact:

Allison Vincent
Director of Global Branding, Marketing & Communications
Leggett Dynamics
Email: allison.vincent@leggett.com
Phone: +1 313.847.6331

Liwen Tao
Manager of AP Branding, Marketing & Communications
Leggett Dynamics
Email: liwen.tao@leggett.com

SOURCE: Leggett Dynamics

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire

FAQ

Where and when will Leggett Dynamics showcase these technologies in Detroit?

Leggett Dynamics will showcase the Mid-Class Massage System and Smart Brushless Motor at the 50th Automotive News Congress in Detroit, Michigan, on September 29-30, 2026.

At which other 2026 events will these innovations be displayed?

The technologies will also be showcased at the Automotive Design & In-Cabin Expo in Novi, Michigan (October 27-29, Booth #A200) and the International Suppliers Fair (IZB) in Wolfsburg, Germany (October 27-29, Hall IZB1 Stand 1430).

What additional speaking engagement is planned for Leggett Dynamics leadership?

Leggett Dynamics President Marinela Cirstea will join a fireside chat at the American Automotive Summit on September 16, 2026, to discuss the role of supplier-partners in innovating next-generation in-cabin experiences.