Volvo has revealed an innovative seatbelt system that adapts in real time to offer customized safety for every passenger. This next-generation technology, known as the multi-adaptive safety belt, utilizes a combination of internal and external sensor data to adjust its protection based on factors like body type, seating position, and driving dynamics.
Unlike traditional seatbelts that apply uniform force, Volvo’s system intelligently modifies its restraint settings depending on the passenger’s height, weight, posture, and the speed and direction of the vehicle. For example, a person with a larger frame may receive stronger belt tension to help prevent serious head injuries in the event of a crash. Conversely, smaller passengers will experience reduced force to minimize risks such as rib injuries during low-impact collisions.
This new system features 11 load-limiting profiles, a significant upgrade from the usual three found in standard seatbelts. Load limiters are key components in seatbelt systems that regulate the force applied to the body during a crash. By offering more tailored force distribution, Volvo aims to better protect a broader range of body types.
The development of the multi-adaptive seatbelt is rooted in more than 50 years of safety research and analysis of data from over 80,000 real-world accident cases. The system is also designed to support over-the-air software updates, allowing Volvo to fine-tune performance as new data and insights become available.
“This breakthrough in seatbelt design is another step forward in our mission to make roads safer,” said Åsa Haglund, head of Volvo Cars Safety Centre. “By using real-time data, we aim to provide safety solutions that can save millions of lives, building on the legacy of our original three-point seatbelt.”
Volvo’s original three-point seatbelt, invented in 1959 by engineer Nils Bohlin, is widely recognized as one of the most important innovations in automotive safety. That invention was made freely available to the entire industry though it’s unclear whether Volvo plans to make the new adaptive version available to other carmakers.
The multi-adaptive safety belt will make its first appearance in the upcoming Volvo EX60, an all-electric midsize SUV scheduled for launch next year.
