Active material based conformable and reconfigurable seats

A seat assembly, comprising:

• a horizontal seat surface comprising a reversible curb;
• and
• an active material in operative communication with the seat surface configured to undergo a change in at least one property upon receipt of an activation signal, wherein the change in at least one property is effective to transition the reversible curb from a stowed position to a deployed position, where in the stowed position the surface presents a first profile, and in the deployed position the reversible curb causes the surface to present a second profile defining a raised portion configured to laterally secure an item placed on the surface
• wherein the reversible curb is pivotally coupled to a hinge portion comprised of the active material, the change in at least one property is effective to rotatably translate the reversible curb from the stowed position to the deployed position, the support structure includes a seat base, the reversible curb and hinge portion are linearly translatable relative to the base, the curb is prevented by the base from rotating relative to the hinge in the stowed position, and the change in at least one property causes the curb and portion to linearly translate to the deployed position where the curb is free to rotate relative to the portion.