Optimizing heated driver seat design: Thermal comfort in cold weather

Heated seats are increasingly used in vehicles to improve thermal comfort, yet preferred temperatures across different seat zones remain underexplored. This study examined seat surface temperature preferences across six seatback and cushion zones, considering the effects of weather conditions and user demographics. A total of 102 participants-diverse in sex, age, body size, and ethnicity-participated in a controlled experiment simulating -8 °C to 12 °C and 35 %-75 % humidity. Results indicated that colder conditions led to higher preferred temperatures at four seat zones, with female participants generally favoring warmer settings than males. The findings support the need for seat heating systems with individual controls for multiple zones. Twelve predictive models-six each for basic and advanced seat designs-were developed to estimate optimal seat temperatures. These models can help automotive manufacturers improve seat heating systems by integrating them into AI-assisted technologies for adaptive thermal regulation, ultimately enhancing occupant comfort and satisfaction.