CMR 22e Seat​

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The seat plays a significant role in communicating the car's dynamic behavior, allowing a driver to push the car to the limit through the sensations of weight transfer, vibration, and acceleration. Carnegie Mellon Racing has historically used simple, flat-panel seat designs with expanding foam inserts that fit each driver. In order to reduce mass and improve that driver-vehicle connection, I created a contoured seat back and base that are shaped to the driver's curvature, holding them securely and comfortably in the vehicle. 

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Using a custom-built ergonomics rig that simulates our vehicle's configuration, we validated comfortable driver positioning and surfaces. Through an iterative process of mold machining and composite layups, we refined a manufacturing process that allows for the rapid manufacture of CFRP (carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer) seats, allowing us to make five iterations of the curvature and thickness of the seat.