The aim was to identify future seating positions and activities in highly automated cars, and explore attitudes towards extra restraint systems.

In total, 52 users aged 11‐63, participated in a Swedish qualitative study. The participant was asked to position four seats within a simplified physical environment representing a highly automated car, visualizing a short drive alone, and a long drive with several occupants. The test included a questionnaire and a structured interview.

In the long drive scenario, the most commonly selected activities included movies, games, or socializing with other occupants. The social scenario called for a “living room” position, with front seats rotated between 90° and 180°. Motivation for not fully rotating the seats was to increase the “drivers’” possibility to gain control of the car, if necessary. In the short drive scenario, users could relax, sleep, surf the internet, work, or read. There was no desire to rotate the seat, but to recline the seat to a more relaxed position. Participants were positive toward extra restraints if they allowed for new seating positions.

This study provides information for future seating positions, which may require new passive restraint systems to address future crash safety.