GM Invents Seat-Doors: New Patent Surprises Engineers

General Motors continues to experiment with the idea of a transformable vehicle interior and has filed a patent for an unusual solution aimed at cars of the future. The concept centers on door panels that can change position and serve as an extra seat, a table, or a work surface.

The patent, numbered US 12,515,592 B1, was filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on September 3, 2024, and published on January 6, 2026. The listed inventors are GM engineers from Michigan: Ki Hyun Ahn, Joseph F. Szczerba, and Bobin Kill.

According to the description, the system operates in two modes. In its standard state, the panel looks like a conventional interior door trim. When needed, it extends outward using a lever-based mechanism and locks into a deployed position. The design allows for rotation, vertical movement, and adjustment of the distance from the door, enabling the panel to be used in a variety of scenarios.

One of the more intriguing features is the panel’s dual-sided structure. One side can be rigid and used as a table or platform, while the other is made of soft materials suitable for sitting. Depending on the task, the panel can be flipped to expose the desired surface.

When folded, the entire mechanism is concealed within the door and does not affect the familiar look of the interior. The patent also envisions adapting the system to different vehicle body styles and door types, including models with various opening directions.

Such patents underscore how seriously automakers are beginning to view the car as a multifunctional space—especially with autonomous vehicles in mind, where interior flexibility becomes a key priority.