GM patents car seat with adjustable cushion and footrest for children

General Motors has patented a car seat that adjusts for passengers of different heights, including children. The two patent applications, numbered US 2026/0116281 A1 and US 2026/0124978 A1, were published by the US Patent and Trademark Office on April 30 and May 7, 2026.

The core idea is to integrate an adjustable cushion and footrest directly into the standard car seat. Currently, carrying a child often requires a separate booster or child seat, which must be installed, removed, stored, and replaced as the child grows. GM’s approach aims to make the seat more versatile without needing an extra accessory.

The first patent describes a design with two parts of the lower cushion: a base section and a rotating section. In normal mode, they combine to form a standard seating surface for an adult. In the second mode, part of the cushion folds down to reveal a footrest, while the child remains seated on the main part. Some versions also adjust the seating surface height, not just the footrest.

The second patent works on a similar principle: the seat can switch from a primary configuration to an auxiliary one. Here, one part of the cushion stays as a seat, while the other rotates to provide a leg support. This should help a small passenger sit more securely rather than having their legs dangling.