Ford is making sure that your New Year’s fitness resolution is not bad news for your car seat with the help of a robotic bottom simulator called “Robutt.”
Ford engineers have developed the “Robutt” to simulate what happens when we get in our cars after a sweaty workout session.
“Cars are a part of our everyday lives, and at this time of year in particular, so is exercise,” said Florian Rohwer, development engineer, Body and Chassis Labs, Ford of Europe. “The ‘Robutt’ is a great way to check our seats will look good for years to come.”
For the sweat test, “Robutt” simulates a decade’s worth of car use in just three days as it sits, bounces and twists in the seat 7,500 times. Based on the dimensions of a large man, the robotic bottom is heated to 36 degree Celsius, and soaked with 450 milliliters of water.
“Robust testing ensures Ford products maintain their integrity over their life cycle, delivering exceptional value for money for current and future customers,” the automaker said in a press release.
