Cobot-assisted test system for automotive seats
Sorion have been working with Lear for over 20 years, building and installing test systems for their different manufacturing plants worldwide. These tests concern all electrical and pneumatic functions of the seat before it is delivered to the car manufacturer’s assembly line.
Before, many of these tests were handled manually. This manual work involves sources of error and represents a high cost factor.
For this reason, Lear have tasked Sorion with the automation of some of the tests with the help of collaborative robots.
Before, many of these tests were handled manually. This manual work involves sources of error and represents a high cost factor.
For this reason, Lear have tasked Sorion with the automation of some of the tests with the help of collaborative robots.
The below tests are now being performed by collaborative robots:
- Belt buckle insertion / removal
- Functional testing of the seat movements for non-memory seats
- Actuation of the car seat’s buttons and switches applying consistent force
- Lumbar and bolster testing by an integrated 3D camera solution
The Sorion team have integrated 8 Universal Robots to automate these tasks.
The 6-axis articulated cobot arm is capable of reaching all the switches and buttons and executes all motions with the same measure of force.
Results
- High-precision seat tests to increase passenger safety and reduce risks of product recalls
- Optimised process to ensure the shortest cycle time
- Full traceability of each seat
- Employees are freed up from manual input tasks
Improve Quality and Minimise Recalls

