A vehicle seat can include a seat back and a head rest. The seat back includes an upper half corresponding to a shoulder portion of a passenger, a lower half corresponding to a waist portion of the passenger, and an head rest height adjustment mechanism. The seat back upper half is connected to a structural component of the head rest or a movable component of the head rest height adjustment mechanism, so as to be vertically moved relative to the seat back lower half when the head rest height adjustment mechanism is actuated.

A system and method for remote actuation of a vehicle head restraint includes an actuator arrangement configured to effect movement of a head restraint from a raised position to a lowered position. A sensor defines a first area, and is configured to output signals to the actuator arrangement to facilitate movement of the head restraint from its raised position to its lowered position when an object comes within a predetermined distance of the first area. The sensor is disposed proximate a rearview mirror in the vehicle such that a vehicle operator can simultaneously view the head restraint in the mirror and the first area.

A system and method for remote actuation of a vehicle head restraint includes an actuator arrangement configured to effect movement of a head restraint from a raised position to a lowered position. A sensor defines a first area, and is configured to output signals to the actuator arrangement to facilitate movement of the head restraint from its raised position to its lowered position when an object comes within a predetermined distance of the first area. The sensor is disposed proximate a rearview mirror in the vehicle such that a user can simultaneously view the head restraint in the mirror and the first area. Remote actuation systems using infrared sensor assemblies such infrared proximity sensors are disclosed.