GM has filed a patent application for a power-operated seat armrest system. The application was assigned patent number US 2025/0091494 A1 with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and was published on March 20th, 2025. The GM patent application was originally submitted on September 18th, 2023, and lists several Michigan-based engineers as the inventors, including Srujan Nelakuditi, George W. Wade III, Rami Z. Sayed, and Kamilo Susman.
The patent application describes a powered armrest system that can automatically adjust the position of the armrest relative to the seat bottom, even as the seatback moves up and down, thus ensuring that the armrest remains in an ideal, usable position for the occupant at all times.
Traditionally, armrests are fixed to the seatback and pivot into a stowed or extended position. However, when the seatback angle changes (such as when reclining), the armrest angle changes as well, often resulting in a position that isn’t comfortable or aligned properly with the seat bottom. This system solves that issue with a motorized system that rotates the armrest in response to the seatback movement, ensuring that the armrest stays level regardless of the seatback angle.
The system includes a housing that can rotate relative to the seatback, while inside the housing is a motor and an actuator connected to a lever. The lever adjusts the angle of the armrest as the seatback tilts forward or backward. Sensors are used to monitor the positions of both the seatback and the armrest, while a control system provides smooth, real-time adjustments.
In some configurations, the system includes multiple motors, including adjustments for the armrest and the seatback angle. A central control module ensures both motors work together so that the armrest always maintains a consistent angle relative to the seat bottom, no matter how the seatback moves.
The system should help to enhance occupant comfort by maintaining an ergonomic position for the armrest. This could be particularly beneficial in an autonomous vehicle, where occupants are more likely to be resting or in a reclining position.
Comments
Ok. Another gee gaw to crap out. Give me a Corolla, Civic or Jetta and I will consider GM. A solid car. Focus on the fundamentals.
Another ridiculous feature that will cost hundreds of dollars.
Something that the world can absolutely NOT live without.
Forget this crap and get the engines and transmissions to last 300,000 miles. The 5.3 and 6.2 have been a pile of junk, GM should extend the warranty to 10 years or 150,000 miles and have replacement parts on hand.
I love the comment about how the occupant could be resting while the autonomous feature drives the car. Who in their right mind would LET a vehicle drive them, going 60 mph, using a bunch of sensors and computer programming. In my opinion, only a complete idiot. “Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.” A bunch of young, over educated, “kids” trying to make their mark by “inventing” a bunch of absolute crap that is expensive, stupid, useless and most importantly life threatening. WTF. I’ve said it before. Build a vehicle that is void of a ALL gadgetry, except ABS and Air Bags, that would cost/sell significantly less than todays vehicles. Give them great style and they would sell like hotcakes. Who wouldn’t want a stripped down 400HP ’70 Camaro with ABS and air bags?
Just focus on fixing the problems with the current models!