This file photo offered by Kia Corp. shows the interior design of the K8 sedan.
DAEJEON, June 11 (Korea Bizwire) — The number of patent applications for brand-new automotive seat technology is steadily increasing.
According to the Korea Intellectual Property Office, the annual number of such applications remained steady at 188 over the past ten years.
By type of patent applicants, large companies accounted for the largest share at 31.7 percent, followed by mid-sized companies at 27.9 percent, foreigners at 17 percent and small companies at 11 percent.
Of special note, the number of patent applications for technology that enables people to rest inside a car or to use automotive interior space for rest and work has increased sharply since 2018.
The annual average number of patent applications for seats that ensure practical space use shot up to 47 for the period between 2018 and 2020 from 21 in the seven years prior.
Automotive seat technology is diversifying, with some new seats adjusting to enable passengers to have a sound sleep using sensors that detect body position, and others converging with healthcare technology to increase the effectiveness of rescue measures in case of emergency situations.
The increase in patent applications reflects the shift from cars being a simple mean of transport into living spaces that can meet the various needs of passengers, including resting, work and health.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
