Global and China Automotive Comfort System (Seating system, Air Conditioning System) Research Report, 2024

Search by Type

Report DataBase News

Abstract

Selected Charts

Related Reports

Related Companies

Automotive comfort systems include seating system, air conditioning system, soundproof system and chassis suspension to improve comfort of drivers and passengers. This report highlights seating system and air conditioning system.

Seating system: the penetration of comfort functions rises, and zero-gravity seats usher in a boom period.

As intelligent vehicles gain popularity, automotive seats have ever more comfort functions such as heating, ventilation, massage, electric leg/foot rests and memory seat. Not only is the penetration of these functions on the rise, but they also begin to spread from the front row to the third row of seats.

In the case of seat heating function, from January to November 2023, its installation rate in the front row and the second row was 7.8% and 3.9%, respectively. Since 2022 the third row of seats has also begun to be equipped with heating function, and the main models include Li L8/L9, WEY Gaoshan and NIO ES8.

座椅 1_副本.png

In terms of entire seats, the installation of zero-gravity seats has reached a small peak. Since being installed on AITO M7 (RMB289,800-379,800) in July 2022, zero-gravity seats have been mounted on models like IM LS7 (RMB309,800-459,800), AITO S7 (RMB249,800-349,800), ZEEKR X (RMB189,800-209,800) ), WEY Blue Mountain DHT (RMB273,800-308,800), Denza D9 (RMB335,000-445,000), and Trumpchi E8 (RMB209,800-229,800). They have been optional as driver’s and copilot seats of Deepal S7 (RMB149,900-202,900), a model launched in June 2023.

座椅 2_副本.png

In the future, zero-gravity seats will be equipped with various sensors to enable adaptive adjustment, health monitoring and other functions, and comfort functions will keep being upgraded.

Faurecia: In April 2023, Faurecia introduced Zero-Gravity Captain Chair. It offers additional comfort with sensors able to identify potential physical pain and then activate corrective actions to alleviate any discomfort. It incorporates high-tech comfort solutions, such as an inflatable neck pillow and a headrest that automatically adjusts to its occupant’s height. As well as lower-back support and massage functions with pressure mapping to enhance relaxation, it includes a new, immersive haptic solution called VIBE, where tactile sensations are created by the car seat, stimulating the user’s sense of touch. When activated, digital 4D sound algorithms automatically create vibrations that accompany any sound played on the vehicle’s audio system.

座椅 3_副本.png

Yanfeng: In January 2024, Yanfeng launched the new-generation Hover Seat equipped with Seat Sensing Posture ID technology. Based on zero-gravity research, this seat actively relieves fatigue for passengers during driving by detecting the user's body languages such as sitting posture, fatigue level and body size.

?Adaptive Welcome Mode for Different Body Sizes: When a passenger gets into the car, the seat’s pressure pad sensors accurately recognize information about his/her body size and automatically adjust the headrest, lumbar support and side wings to make the seat more closely fit his/her body.
?Seating Position Recognition and Fitting: The sensor determines the seating posture of the occupant according to the pressure distribution to the seat. Equipped with a matrix of multi-faceted support blocks, the seat automatically adjusts the blocks to give the most comfortable support to the body where needed.
?Fatigue Detection and Automatic Massage: The seat detects the occupant changing their posture over time, then determines the degree and location of fatigue, and automatically triggers the partition massage function.

座椅 4_副本.png

Air conditioning system: as the installation rate of heat pump air conditioners rises, air conditioning control systems become personalized, energy-efficient and active.

Heat pump air conditioner is an air conditioning system that integrates cooling and heating functions. Its core components include a compressor and a heat exchanger, which control indoor temperature by absorbing or dissipating heat in the air. By virtue of high heating efficiency, obvious energy saving effect, improvement of cruising range and other benefits, heat pump air conditioner has become a new track in the development of electric vehicle air conditioning systems.

The data from ResearchInChina show that in China electric vehicles have begun to carry heat pump air conditioners since 2021, with a surging penetration, up to 23.3% from January to November 2023.

座椅 5_副本.png

Heat pump air conditioner refrigerants are typically R-134a, R-1234yf and R744 (carbon dioxide, CO?). R744 can extend the cruising range of vehicles because of its better effects in environmental protection, safety, flow heat exchange and low temperature heating, and the prices of its raw materials are low. In the future, CO? heat pump systems using R744 refrigerant will become mainstream. Chinese suppliers have started deploying the CO? heat pump market:

座椅 6_副本.png

Moreover in terms of air conditioning function, OEMs also head in the direction of refinement. AI algorithms make air conditioning systems controlled in multiple zones, and allow the driver and passengers to set their own temperatures, meeting the needs of different occupants. AI algorithms not only enable accurate control over parameters like refrigerant circulation and fan speed, but also take into account their impacts on battery cruising range to achieve energy-saving control effects.

NIO ES8 (launched in December 2022) packs an intelligent five-zone independent air-conditioning system, which uses a self-developed air-conditioning energy consumption calculation method to achieve: five-zone temperature control, five-zone blowing mode, and four-zone air volume adjustment, accurately controlling 0.5℃ in the range of 15-31℃.This system can be controlled via voice interaction or mobile phone APP remotely.

?Front row: 2-zone temperature control, 2-zone blowing mode, 2-zone air volume control
?Second row: 2-zone temperature control, 2-zone blowing mode, 1-zone air volume control
?Third row: 1-zone temperature control, 1-zone blowing mode, 1-zone air volume control

The OTA Update 4.6.2 has been officially pushed to Li L9 (launched in June 2022), adding a new mode of air conditioning energy saving. In this mode, the car will reduce the power of air conditioning and automatically adjust seat heating and steering wheel heating. While maintaining interior comfortable temperature, this mode cuts down energy consumption and increases the available cruising range of the car in EV mode. In urban commuting in winter (outdoor temperature: <0℃), the CLTC range can be increased by up to 50%.

IM LS6 (launched in October 2023), with its air-conditioning smart air outlet function, automatically turns off the air outlet in unoccupied positions by reading seat signals, making the air-conditioning system more efficient.

FAW-Volkswagen ID.7 VIZZION (launched in December 2023) is equipped with Smart Air, a hidden intelligent air conditioner that can memorize the height of different passengers, and set and adjust the height of the air outlet. Equipped with a climate sensor, it can automatically adjust the wind speed and air outlet angle according to the in-car environment, and automatically turn on defogging and defrosting functions according to humidity and temperature.

座椅 7.png

Future automotive air conditioning algorithms will use advanced technologies such as deep learning and neural networks to enable air conditioning systems to self-learn and optimize, more accurately predict the driver's needs, directly and actively adjust temperature, air volume and mode, minimizing manual adjustments by users and achieving more precise temperature control and energy efficiency optimization.

1 Overview of Automotive Comfort System Industry

1.1 Overview of Automotive Seating Industry
1.1.1 Overview of Automotive Seating
1.1.2 Classification of Automotive Seats
1.1.3 Classification of Automotive Seating Functions
1.1.4 Policies Concerning Seating
1.1.5 Passenger Car Sales and Seat Installations in China, 2019-2030E
1.1.6 Seating’s Content Value Per Passenger Car and Its Market Size, 2019-2030E
1.1.7 Production Process of Automotive Seats
1.1.8 Automotive Seating Industry Chain and Cost Structure
1.1.9 Layout of Industry Chain Companies
1.1.10 Industry Barriers

1.2 Overview of Automotive Air Conditioning Industry
1.2.1 Overview of Automotive Air Conditioning
1.2.2 Air Conditioning Comparison between Conventional Vehicles and New Energy Vehicles
1.2.3 New Energy Vehicle Air Conditioning Technology Routes
1.2.4 Policies and Standards Concerning Automotive Air Conditioning
1.2.5 Value of Air Conditioning Systems for BEVs and PHEVs
1.2.6 New Energy Vehicle Air Conditioning System Market Size
1.2.7 New Energy Vehicle Air Conditioning System Industry Chain

2 Overview and Development Trends of Automotive Comfort System Market

Development Trends of Automotive Seating
2.1 Development Trends of OEMs’ Seating
2.1.1 Trend 1
2.1.2 Trend 2
2.1.3 Trend 3
2.1.4 Trend 4
2.1.5 Trend 5
2.1.6 Trend 6
2.1.7 Trend 7
2.1.8 Trend 8
2.1.9 Trend 9

2.2 Development Trends of Seating Industry Chain Suppliers
2.2.1 Trend 1
2.2.2 Trend 2
2.2.3 Trend 3
2.2.4 Trend 4
2.2.5 Trend 5
2.2.6 Trend 6
2.2.7 Trend 7
2.2.8 Trend 8

2.3 Development Trends of Automotive Air Conditioning
2.3.1 Trend 1
2.3.2 Trend 2
2.3.3 Trend 3
2.3.4 Trend 4
2.3.5 Trend 5
2.3.6 Trend 6

3 Comfort Systems of OEMs

3.1 Comfort System Configuration of Xpeng X9
3.2 Comfort System Configuration of Li MEGA
3.3 Comfort System Configuration of SAIC MAXUS MIFA 7
3.4 Comfort System Configuration of AITO M9
3.5 Comfort System Configuration of Rising F7
3.6 Comfort System Configuration of Luxeed S7
3.7 Comfort System Configuration of New NIO ES8
3.8 Comfort System Configuration of FAW-Volkswagen ID.7 VIZZION
3.9 Comfort System Configuration of Xiaomi SU7
3.10 Comfort System Configuration of ArcFox Kaola
3.11 Comfort System Configuration of Nissan Concept Car
3.12 Citroen and BASF Launched Oli, An All-electric Concept Car Equipped with 3D Printed Seats
3.13 Geely’s Adjustable Seat Hardness Patent

4 Automotive Seating System Suppliers

4.1 Summary of Automotive Seating Companies
4.2 Faurecia
4.2.1 Profile
4.2.2 Operation
4.2.3 Automotive Seating Business Layout in China
4.2.4 Automotive Seating Technology
4.2.5 Automotive Seating Products Evolution and Strategy
4.2.6 Latest High-tech Comfort Solutions
4.2.7 Light and Shadow Dazzling?Seat (LUMI)
4.2.8 New Modular and Sustainable Seat
4.2.9 Zero-Gravity Captain Chair
4.2.10 Seat Back Panel Solution - Skin Light Panel
4.2.11 Forvia Cooperated with SSAB to Launch Carbon-free Steel Seat Frame
4.2.12 Future Planning for Automotive Seating Business
4.2.13 Main Brands and Vehicle Models Supported by Faurecia’s Automotive Seating Products
4.2.14 Cooperation Dynamics

4.3 Lear
4.3.1 Profile
4.3.2 Global Distribution
4.3.3 Operation
4.3.4 Evolution of Seating Business
4.3.5 Seating Business Revenue in 2022 and Outlook
4.3.6 Automotive Seating Business Layout in China
4.3.7 Seat Comparison with Other Automotive Seating Suppliers
4.3.8 Automotive Seating Technology
4.3.9 Comfort Functions of Automotive Seating
4.3.10 Automotive Seating Thermal Comfort System Portfolio and Its Development Trends
4.3.11 Evolution Plan for Automotive Seating Thermal Comfort System Product Portfolio
4.3.12 Acquired Kongsberg Automotive and I.G. Bauerhin (IGB) to Expand Thermal Comfort System Product Portfolio
4.3.13 Seat Product - Intu?
4.3.14 Car Seating ConfigurE+ Reconfigurable Interior Technology
4.3.15 Zero Gravity Seat
4.3.16 Lear Eco Seating Solutions
4.3.17 Lightweight Car Seat Frame
4.3.18 Main Automotive Seating System Production Projects in 2023
4.3.19 Recent Layout
4.3.20 Recent Dynamics

4.4 Adient
4.4.1 Profile
4.4.2 Operation
4.4.3 Development History in the Chinese Market
4.4.4 Layout and Supported Customers in China
4.4.5 Chinese Product Planning
4.4.6 Automotive Seating Solutions
4.4.7 Evolution of Automotive Seating Products
4.4.8 Electric Vehicle Seating Technology
4.4.9 Features of Automotive Seats
4.4.10 Automotive Seating Supporting Projects in 2023
4.4.11 Cooperation Dynamics

4.5 Magna
4.5.1 Profile
4.5.2 Operation
4.5.3 Global Layout
4.5.4 Main Automotive Seating Operating Entities in China
4.5.5 Automotive Seating Technology
4.5.6 Evolution of Automotive Seating Products
4.5.7 M+Space
4.5.8 Three Major Technologies of M+Space
4.5.9 Rotating Tray and Electric Long Slide Rails of Zero Gravity Seat
4.5.10 Vehicle Models with Magna Seats
4.5.11 Cooperation Dynamics

4.6 Toyota Boshoku
4.6.1 Profile
4.6.2 Operating Results for the First Half of the Fiscal Year Ending Sept. 30, 2023
4.6.3 Automotive Seating Business Layout in China
4.6.4 Automotive Seating Products Route Planning
4.6.5 Expansion of In-cabin Space Business Planning
4.6.6 Development Process of Automotive Seating
4.6.7 MX Series Intelligent Cockpit Products
4.6.8 Intelligent Cockpit MX221 Concept
4.6.9 Automotive Seating Products
4.6.10 Frame Development Roadmap of Front and Rear Row Automotive Seats
4.6.11 Form In Place Technology
4.6.12 Vehicle Models Supported by Toyota Boshoku’s Seats
4.6.13 Dynamics

4.7 Brose
4.7.1 Profile
4.7.2 Summary of Automotive Seating Products
4.7.3 Evolution of Automotive Seating Products
4.7.4 Intelligent System Solutions
4.7.5 Li L7 Equipped with Brose Front Power Seat Frame
4.7.6 Recent Dynamics and Future Development Plan

4.8 Hyundai Transsys
4.8.1 Profile
4.8.2 Development History
4.8.3 Operation
4.8.4 Automotive Seating Business Layout in China
4.8.5 Seating Product Layout
4.8.6 Seating Technology
4.8.7 Automotive Seating R&D Plan: Smart Seats That Communicate with Humans
4.8.8 Ergo Motion System
4.8.9 Developed Electric Vehicle Seating Technology Together with Hyundai and Kia
4.8.10 Concept Seat
4.8.11 Vehicle Models Equipped with Hyundai Transsys’ Seats

4.9 Yanfeng International
4.9.1 Profile
4.9.2 Global Distribution
4.9.3 Seating Product Layout
4.9.4 Surflex? Shock Absorbing Latex
4.9.5 Seat Integrated Safety Technology
4.9.6 Latest Sustainable Seating Technology
4.9.7 Audio Headrests and Headrests
4.9.8 Armrest Solutions
4.9.9 Zero Pressure Seat
4.9.10 SU Seat
4.9.11 Carbon Fiber Frame Seat and Integrated Child Seat
4.9.12 Integrated Luxury Seat
4.9.13 Cinema-style Folding Seat
4.9.14 Concept Car Seat
4.9.15 Cooperative Customers

4.10 Tiancheng Controls
4.10.1 Profile
4.10.2 Product Layout
4.10.3 Passenger Car Seating Products
4.10.4 Airline Zero Gravity Seat
4.10.5 Magnetorheological Damping Seat
4.10.6 Carbon Fiber Sports Seat
4.10.7 Child Safety Seat
4.10.8 Status Quo of Passenger Car Seating Business
4.10.9 Passenger Car Seat Production Capacity
4.10.10 Passenger Car Customers and Designation

4.11 Jifeng Auto Parts
4.11.1 Profile
4.11.2 Operation and Major Customers
4.11.3 Designation for Passenger Car Seats and Production Capacity
4.11.4 Passenger Car Product Layout
4.11.5 Latest Passenger Car Products
4.11.6 Cost Structure of Seating Products
4.11.7 Passenger Car Seating Planning

4.12 Nobo Automotive Technology
4.12.1 Profile
4.12.2 Seat Production Capacity
4.12.3 Product Introduction
4.12.4 Green Seat Polyurethane Foam Technology
4.12.5 iNest 3.0 Intelligent Cockpit
4.12.6 AI Seat & Self-made Integrated Child Seat
4.12.7 Automotive Customers

5 Automotive Air Conditioning System Suppliers

5.1 Summary of Automotive Air Conditioning Companies
5.2 Denso
5.2.1 Profile
5.2.2 Operation in FY2023
5.2.3 Comparison of Operation in Recent Years and Subsequent Business Goals
5.2.4 Global Distribution
5.2.5 Summary of Electrical Equipment Business and Products
5.2.6 Overview of Thermal System Business
5.2.7 Heat Pump Air Conditioners and Unique Technologies
5.2.8 Introduction to Main Products of Heat Pump Air Conditioning System
5.2.9 HVAC
5.2.10 HVAC Products
5.2.11 Air Quality Equipment Products & Control System Products
5.2.12 Heat Exchangers & Refrigerant Products & Cooling Products
5.2.13 Electric Vehicle Heat Pump Air Conditioning System
5.2.14 Electric Radiant Heating System
5.2.15 Main Automotive Air Conditioning Customers and Recent Dynamics
5.3 MAHLE
5.3.1 Profile
5.3.2 Passenger Car Air Conditioning System and Its Components
5.3.3 MAHLE Provided Air Conditioning System and Controller for Xpeng P7

5.4 Sanden
5.4.1 Profile
5.4.2 Operation
5.4.3 Summary of Automotive Air Conditioning System Products
5.4.4 HVAC Unit
5.4.5 Heat Exchanger
5.4.6 Water Heater & Air Conditioning Pipes
5.4.7 Air Conditioning Compressor
5.4.8 Heat Pump System
5.4.9 Integrated Thermal Management System

5.5 Hanon
5.5.1 Profile
5.5.2 Global Distribution
5.5.3 Operation
5.5.4 Patented Technologies
5.5.5 Product Layout
5.5.6 Thermal Management Solution
5.5.7 Heat Pump System
5.5.8 Electric Vehicle-AC/HH Solution
5.5.9 Hanon’s Heat Pump System Can Use CO2
5.5.10 Volkswagen MEB Platform Uses Hanon’s CO2 Heat Pump Air Conditioning System
5.5.11 R&D Plan

5.6 Valeo
5.6.1 Profile
5.6.2 Operation
5.6.3 Summary of Air Conditioning Products
5.6.4 Smart Heat Pump Modules
5.6.5 R-744 Smart Heat Pump Module
5.6.6 Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Modules
5.6.7 Heat Pump Systems
5.6.8 R-744 Heat Pump System
5.6.9 Electric Air Conditioning Compressor for Electric Vehicles
5.6.10 R-1234yf / R-744 Heat Pump Heat Exchanger
5.6.11 Air Conditioning Brushless Blower & Car Air Conditioning Condenser
5.6.12 FlexHeater
5.6.13 Particulate Matter (PM) Sensor & Car Fragrance Diffuser
5.6.14 Cabin Air Filter
5.6.15 Air Conditioning Cooperation

5.7 Yinlun Machinery
5.7.1 Profile
5.7.2 Global Distribution
5.7.3 Operation
5.7.4 Air Conditioning and Heat Pump System Products
5.7.5 Recent Designation Projects
5.7.6 Yinlun Built A New Air Conditioning-related Production Base

5.8 Aotecar
5.8.1 Profile
5.8.2 Operation
5.8.3 Product Summary
5.8.4 Summary of Automotive Air Conditioning Compressor Products
5.8.5 Heat Pump Air Conditioning Products and Parameters
5.8.6 Cooperation Dynamics and Customers

5.9 FinDreams Technology
5.9.1 Profile
5.9.2 Operation
5.9.3 Air Conditioning Factory
5.9.4 Introduction to Air Conditioning Products
5.9.5 Seating System Solutions
5.9.6 Seat Safety
5.9.7 Seat Comfort
5.9.8 Environmental Protection of Seats
5.9.9 Seat Functionality: Zero Gravity Seat

5.10 Songz
5.10.1 Profile
5.10.2 Operation
5.10.3 Product Layout
5.10.4 Passenger Car Air Conditioning Products
5.10.5 New Energy Electric Compressor
5.10.6 Summary of Passenger Car Air Conditioning Supported Customers

OEMs and Tier1s’ Intelligent Cockpit Platform (Hardware and Software) Innovation Strategy Research Report, 2026

Intelligent Cockpit Platform Research: multi-dimensional cockpit system architecture reconstruction for multi-agent collaboration and proactive intelligent services The intelligent cockpit software s...

Automotive AIOS Research Report, 2026

Automotive AIOS Research: Mass Production Solutions Are Implemented Mass Production Solutions Are Implemented on A Small Scale. In 2026, AIOS starts small-scale implementation, helping to improve v...

Automotive Telematics Service Provider (TSP) Research Report, 2026

TSP Research: Leading providers collectively turn to AI agents to provide all-scenario active services Telematics Service Providers (TSPs) are the core hub of the telematics industry chain, connectin...

Automotive Smart Interior Research Report, 2026

Smart Interior Research: As Technologies like Interactive Starlight Headliner, Hidden Display and Surface Projection Are Launched, Automotive Interiors Become Ever More Intelligent The Automotive Sma...

Research Report on AI Applications in Cockpits, 2026

AI Application in Cockpits: AI Services Become More Comprehensive, Convenient, and Refined. In the first half of 2026, cockpit AI functions underwent initial upgrades across multiple dimensions, inc...

Software-Defined Vehicles in 2026: OEM Software Development and Supply Chain Deployment Strategy Research Report

Research on OEMs’ Software Strategies: R&D Focus, Development Strategies and Supplier Building Models of 30 OEMs In this paper, we adopt a research framework covering 13 subsystems and 48 sub-di...

Passenger Car Chassis Domain Control and Chassis Cross-Domain Integration Research Report, 2026

Chassis Control Research: Mass Production of Full Chassis-by-Wire Solutions Starts 1. A Cluster of Full Chassis-by-Wire Solutions Make Their Debut, and EMB Enters Mass Production and Adoption for the...

Central Domain Control (Powertrain, Chassis, Body) and Motion Controller Research Report, 2026

Central Domain Control and Motion Control Research: XYZ Coordinated Control and Full X-by-Wire Actuation System With the gradual penetration of L3+ autonomous driving, the chassis control system is ...

48V Low-voltage Power Distribution Network (PDN) Architecture and Supply Chain Panorama Research Report, 2026

Research on 48V Low-Voltage Power Distribution Network （PDN): An Active 48V Supply Chain, with Priority Deployment in High-Power Scenarios Such as Steer-by-Wire Chassis The automotive 48V low-voltage...

AI-Defined Vehicle (AIDV) OEMs' Deployment Strategies Research Report, 2026

AIDV Research: Deployment Strategies of 22 OEMs The AI-Defined Vehicle (AIDV) OEMs' Deployment Strategies Research Report, 2026, released by ResearchInChina, analyzes the AI deployment strategies of ...

OEMs’ Passenger Car Model Planning Research Report, 2026

Vehicle Model Planning Research: Chinese OEMs Launch Sub-Brands Intensively, While Multinational OEMs Apply the Brakes to Electrification Strategies ResearchInChina released the OEMs’ Passenger Car M...

Autonomous Driving Simulation and World Model Research Report, 2026

Autonomous driving simulation research: "Simulation test + world model"-driven test system has become R&D infrastructure. The "Autonomous Driving Simulation and World Model Research Report, 2026"...

Cockpit-Driving Integration Central Domain Controller SoC and AI Supercomputing Architecture Research Report, 2026

Cockpit-Driving integration and AI supercomputing research: The One Chip solution is rapidly installed in vehicles, and AI supercomputing architectures are moving towards full-domain integration. AI ...

Intelligent Driving End-to-End Large Model Research Report, 2026

Research on Intelligent Driving Large Models: A Critical Period for Technological Competition and Paradigm Integration As autonomous driving technology rapidly iterates from L2 to L3?L4, intelligent...

Automotive Digital Key Industry Trend Report, 2026

Digital Key Research: Automotive BLE, UWB and SLE Hardware Layout The Automotive Digital Key Industry Trend Report, 2026, released by ResearchInChina, analyzes and predicts the digital key market, co...

Monthly Report on Automotive New Technology (May 2026)

UHD gaze technology, full-color LiDAR, UWB, etc. promote the upgrade of intelligent driving perception capabilities This report is published once a month and is available for annual subscription.The...

In-Cabin Monitoring Systems (DMS, OMS, etc.) Research Report, 2026

In-Cabin Monitoring System Research: DMS to Become Mandatory in 2027, Expected to be Installed in Over 14 Million Vehicles ResearchInChina released the In-Cabin Monitoring Systems (DMS, OMS, etc.) Re...

Automotive Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) and Cross-Domain Middleware Industry Report, 2026

Research on automotive SOA and cross-domain middleware: The era of AI atomic services and AI cross-domain fusion agents is coming. Automotive SOA evolves towards AI + full SOA servitization Driv...

Abstract

Table of Contents

Selected Charts

Related Reports

Related Companies