To seat comfortably while driving has been an item of research for the automobile industries for a long time. Even the most luxurious and posh seats were not the ergonomic or healthy seats to sit. Though sitting for a short time doesn’t have much side effects, when you are a habitual driver and have to drive a couple of hours almost everyday; you must think about your seat. It has been found that people with more hours on the driving seat are subject to long term pelvic, postural or backbone problems.
You must have noticed that you feel uncomfortable when you are sitting for a long time even on the most padded seat. Actually it’s not the fabric, cushion or fluffiness of your seat the matters, the discomfort comes when you are sitting there for quite a long time without a break. Actually it’s due to the fact that though your hand or head is moving, the back is almost steady in a position which is not natural. That’s why when you are on a long drive, it is suggested to take short breaks and get down, do some movements or walk, so that you can get rid of the fatigue.
There are different seat accessories to make the seat more comfortable and driving friendly but they can’t do much about the main issue of this motionless back. The BMW has its solution, a state-of-the-art technology called the Active Comfort Seat, to keep you comfortable yet alert while driving. The BMW 7 Series E38 and E65 models have this Active Comfort Seat arrangement.
The system is comprised of motion-motors and hydraulic chambers which enable your seat to make a vertical movement of 15 mm in a programmed pattern. There are a couple of chambers containing a safe fluid which is filled and emptied through a hydraulic system. This filling up and emptying cause the seat to rise and lower in an alternate pattern so that you have a rocking motion of the left and right part of your pelvic in a minute-long cycle. However, the movement is so minute that it’s hardly noticeable and doesn’t hamper your concentration or driving. But this minute movement does a lot by improving blood circulation in the depressed muscles and bones and exercising in the backbone and pelvic zone. This will not only keep you safe from a long-term wear and tear but also keep you alert and free from fatigue or tenseness while driving.
But still, the last line is, DO take periodical breaks when going for a long drive!