NISSAN engineers are trying to get to the bottom of seat wear and tear through the development of a mechanical bottom, dressed in a pair of jeans to test the durability of its car seats. The 'Nissan bottom' is modelled on an 11-stone person and denim is used because it is the most abrasive clothing material.

During the test, the bottom slides on to a car seat, rubs back and forth three times and then slides off. This test is repeated 15,000 times without a break over a period of three days - Nissan estimates that this is equivalent to 32 years of travelling to and from work - and after the test, the seat fabric is tested for wear and tear.