Abstract

In view of the high risen demands on the machine operator to a safe and high efficient guidance the best possible "workplace situations" must be available. Beside assisted vehicle operation and ergonomically optimized machine interaction particular importance must be attended to individual adjustments as well as climate management. Though for a good climate in the cabin the newest technologies are applied, still the perceived comfort can become disagreeable in spite of air-conditioning. On longer terms the heat as well as the humidity produced by the driver accumulate in the seat and lead to negative sensations, concentration interferences, tiredness and consequently performance losses. Thus the operator’s seat sets a great challenge for agricultural and forestral automotive vehicles already in the matter of ergonomics and safety, concerning hygro-thermal functions however it is probably one of the most complicated development topic. Apart from general interactions between climate situations and best human work performance, assessment and measuring aspects for climate and comfort as well as constructional details for optimized heat and sweat management on drivers’s seats have to be respected.