Ensuring all the occupants are always able to relax — feel free from unnecessary tension yet aware that they are in a vehicle — is another key element of creating a comfortable cabin. Through research into postures that are relaxing even over long journeys, and by development of seat technologies to precisely support these postures, Mazda seeks to ensure occupants can enjoy a relaxing cabin.

For the passengers, comfortable seating means being relaxed in both mind and body. To achieve this, we conduct long-distance trials during which we monitor passengers' biological indexes, such as brainwaves, electrical muscle impulses, bodyweight distribution and blood flow. By studying how internal pressure on the spine correlates to the angle of the seat back, we have determined the optimum reclining angle. Based on this data, we are developing new seating designs that ensure passengers have room to adjust their posture and cross their legs, to make journeys more relaxing and less tiring.

The second-row Super Relax Seats in the MPV were developed to be "as comfortable as a first-class airplane seat."

The recliner is one of the keys to a relaxing seat, so we set an ergonomically optimal reclining angle (image 1).

Next, we thought about how to support passengers' heads from being shaken by the vibrations of the car. This led us to develop Swing Headrests (image 2). By providing constant support at three points, the back of the head, either the left or right side, and the neck, these headrests reduce head movement during driving and ease the burden on neck muscles.

One problem with a deeply reclining seat is that the passenger's lower body is likely to slide forward. To prevent this, we developed a device that raises the front of the seat cushion (image 3). By ensuring even support from the neck down to the lower body, Mazda's seats help to keep occupants comfortably in position.

A further potential problem is that raising the front of the seat cushion will apply pressure to the back of the occupant's knees. By developing a fold-out calf support (image 4), the seats minimize pressure on the back of the legs.

Finally, the seats also feature adjustable armrests (image 5) to reduce the burden on arm and shoulder muscles and maximize comfort.

We developed seats "as comfortable as a first-class airplane seat" by incorporating features based on ergonomics.