PREACT: Preemptively Controlled Active Seating Technology
TECHNOLOGY NUMBERS: 2020-163
Accelerate Blue Foundry - 2025 (Physical Sciences)
OVERVIEW
Motion Sync is solving car sickness, a problem affecting 1 in 3 passengers and set to worsen with self-driving cars, EVs and ridesharing. Our PREACT Haptic technology predicts vehicle motion and delivers gentle haptic cues to align the passenger's expectation with the motion they experience, significantly reducing their nausea. Delivered as a plug-and-play lumbar pillow with a subscription model, it turns any seat into a comfort-tech system, enabling passengers to read, work, or relax in comfort. Our other PREACT Seat technology features an automotive seat that leans the passenger's body in the direction of vehicle motion to brace their body and reduce motion sickness. The PREACT Seat is under co-development with an OEM.
DESCRIPTION
Traditional vehicle passengers get motion sickness because they’re passively surprised by sudden moves like braking or turning, while drivers instinctively brace themselves ahead of time. The PREACT solution connects vehicle driving signals directly to specially designed seats and support devices that can reduce motion sickness. When the vehicle brakes or turns, these systems automatically tilt or cue the passenger’s body to move as a driver would, before the passenger feels the motion. What’s new here is the use of predictive algorithms and real-time driving data to anticipate maneuvers even before they happen, ensuring the technology stays a step ahead of the vehicle’s movements. This creates a “preemptive” response, actively preparing the passenger and making them feel more like a driver.
VALUE PROPOSITION
- Delivers a dramatic reduction in motion sickness by transforming passive passengers into active responders, enhancing comfort for both traditional and self-driving vehicles.
- Integrates with vehicle control systems and cloud-based predictive data for true anticipatory correction.
- Modular and scalable: can be deployed as active seating, advanced seat belts, or support devices, enabling easy integration into a wide range of existing and future automotive platforms.
TECHNOLOGY READINESS LEVEL
PREACT Seat: 6
PREACT Haptic: 7
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY STATUS
All Issued Patents:
Other Patent Applications Pending.
MARKET OPPORTUNITY
As the transition to self-driving and automated vehicles accelerates, preventing passenger motion sickness becomes a critical factor for consumer adoption, ride comfort, and operator differentiation; this is especially true for mobility services (robotaxis, shuttles), long-haul travel, and premium automotive interiors. The technology also addresses growing needs in health and wellbeing for accessible transportation, such as elderly or sensitive passengers. Initial applications extend to luxury vehicles, fleet operators, and transportation network companies seeking to improve passenger satisfaction and reduce ride cancellations; the global autonomous vehicle market alone is projected to exceed $500 billion by 2030, with passenger comfort cited as a top barrier to widespread adoption. Rising consumer expectations for in-transit productivity and comfort further strengthen the business case.
Studies show that more than 30% of passengers in self-driving vehicles report motion sickness, with rates expected to rise as occupants engage in work or leisure activities instead of focusing on driving.
- This project has participated in Customer Discovery