Manufacturability of Advanced Passenger Seats (MAPS) Project is research based collaboration between technology companies Gordon Murray Design Limited and Formaplex Limited.
The programme is a part funded 12 month study through the Innovate UK framework that aims to further develop light weight automotive seat structures and production methods.
The major deliverables from the MAPS project will be a new seat offering significant weight savings over conventional metallic seat structures, proven production methods including reduced manufacturing time when compared to current composite seat manufacturing methods, and to achieve European homologation standards whilst being affordable for both low and high volume vehicles.
The participation of Gordon Murray Design within the MAPS project will focus on the opportunity to significantly reduce structure weight by utilising advanced composite panels based on recycled carbon fibre, whilst maintaining the high volume, low cost benefits of the original iStream® technology. The objective is to develop a seat frame that is 30% lighter than the incumbent steel frame.
Professor Gordon Murray, Chairman of Gordon Murray Design said: “Gordon Murray Design is pleased to be an active participant in this important UK research initiative, aimed at an important further development of the revolutionary iStream® manufacturing technology. The MAPS partnership brings together recognised industry professionals in order to address the exciting challenges associated with the development of new materials and processes necessary to ensure that new innovations can be implemented in a cost-effective and robust manner, appropriate for mass production”.
Gordon Murray Design Limited is a British company operating from Shalford in Surrey. The Company is recognized as a world leader in automotive design and reverses the current industry trend for sub-contracting by having a complete in-house capability for design, prototyping and development. The Company is compact and focused and undertakes automotive and other engineering programmes in an efficient and innovative way
