Immersing yourself in music has never been more physical. Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) unveils an innovative addition to its luxury SUV, the Range Rover Sport SV Edition One. The enhancement, dubbed “Body and Soul Seat” (BASS), is a collaboration with Subpac, offering a unique experience to music lovers who can now literally feel the rhythm.
The innovative BASS technology features headrest-mounted membranes and transducers. As these elements come alive to the music’s lower frequencies, the car seat provides haptic feedback, essentially allowing the occupants to feel the beat of their favorite songs. From the pulsating rhythm of a dance track to the compelling beat of a rap tune, this revolutionary tech has the potential to transform every drive into a mini-concert.
This immersive sound experience builds on the Range Rover Sport’s existing 29-speaker Meridian audio setup, which already features a robust subwoofer. However, JLR and Subpac suggest that this vibrating technology offers more than just aural enjoyment—it may also deliver health benefits.
BASS incorporates six wellness programs, designed to stimulate relaxation and stress relief by increasing heart rate variability, according to a JLR-supported study. If substantiated in everyday use, this technology could make the Range Rover Sport SV Edition One an appealing choice for those seeking some tranquility during their daily commute.
This groundbreaking vehicle is already in high demand, with the first year’s production sold out. However, interested buyers can still sign up for updates on other SV trims, and there’s promising speculation that the BASS technology may become more accessible in future models.
This project marks just the beginning for Subpac’s haptic and bone conduction technology. The company is exploring other applications, pitching their innovative mix to various sectors such as movie theaters, music production, virtual reality simulation, and gaming. With their Flow platform, they can introduce vibrational elements to other seating and wearable devices.
Subpac also has ambitious plans to infiltrate the aviation and wellness markets. As such, tactile audio could soon be a common feature in many premium products, allowing users to feel their audio, not just hear it.
