At least two companies, Lear and Delphi Interior and Lighting Systems, now offer self-aligning head restraints. It gets its name from the piece of baseball equipment because the seat absorbs energy and pockets the occupant during a high-speed rear impact. The head restraint works with the seat by rising and moving forward in one smooth motion, much the way a catcher positions his mitt to pull in a pitched ball. Storage space is no longer just in the trunk. Johnson Controls has a fold-out work station from the front passenger seatback that is ideal for someone whose office is their car or truck.
Comfort is one imperative.
Safety is another, especially for the youngest children. All cars and trucks are required to have driver and front-passenger air bags by 1999. It is mostly an issue in pickup trucks and cars that have no back seat. Some companies, such as Ford, have adopted a manual cutoff switch for the passenger air bag that can be used when a rear-facing infant seat is in the vehicle. Others are experimenting with sensors that can detect weight and body heat in the seat.