Seating system

A seating system, comprising:

• a seat assembly including a first seat;
• and
• an electronic control unit (ECU) configured to control movement of the first seat;
• wherein the ECU is configured to communicate with an external network;
• and the ECU is configured to move the first seat with respect to a door of a vehicle in response to information from the external network;
• and
• the information includes a request from a first user;
• and
• the request includes a user profile of the first user;
• and the user profile includes (i) a biometric profile corresponding to the first user, (ii) seat preference information, (iii) a location of the first user, and (iv) a destination of the first user;
• wherein the information from the external network includes a second request from a second user;
• the ECU is configured to plan a vehicle route including a first stop for the first user and a second stop for the second user;
• the ECU is configured to move the first seat proximate the door prior the first stop;
• and
• the ECU is configured to move a second seat proximate the door prior to the second stop.

A method of operating a seating system, comprising:

• providing a vehicle including an electronic control unit (ECU) and a seat assembly having a first seat and a second seat, the ECU configured to control movement of the first seat and the second seat;
• communicating, via the ECU, with an external network;
• receiving a request, via the external network, from a user, the request including a user profile;
• and
• moving the first seat to a position substantially aligned with a door of the vehicle to facilitate loading of said user;
• wherein the seat assembly includes a plurality of additional seats;
• and
• moving the first seat to the position substantially aligned with the door includes minimizing movement of the plurality of additional seats.