Volvo first introduced the three-point seatbelt we use, now it is innovating AGAIN
Volvo Cars, a name so synonymous with safety, has announced a groundbreaking advancement in automotive safety with the introduction of its new multi-adaptive safety belt, a world-first technology. The Swedish brand also created the three-point seatbelt way back when and didn’t patent it so all cars could use it, so doing this again is insanely innovative.
Set to debut in the fully electric Volvo EX60, slated to launch in 2026, this innovative belt uses real-time data to adapt its performance to both the traffic situation and the individual occupant. Unlike traditional seatbelts, which have limited settings, Volvo’s new system features eleven load-limiting profiles, a significant upgrade from the previous three.
Moreover, these profiles manage the force the belt applies during a crash, offering a tailored response. By factoring in a person’s height, weight, body shape and seating position as well as the crash dynamics, such as speed and impact direction, the belt adjusts automatically to reduce injury risk, that is the most Volvo thing that Volvo could do and honestly, I’m on board.
For example, a larger person in a severe crash may receive a higher load to reduce head injury, while a smaller person in a milder impact would receive less force to lower the risk of rib fractures. The belt system communicates with a network of interior and exterior sensors. In fractions of a second, the car processes the data and determines the best protection setting.
On top of that, this will also improve over time through OTA updates, as Volvo continues to refine its algorithms. Åsa Haglund, head of the Volvo Cars Safety Centre, emphasized the importance of this, stating: “The multi-adaptive safety belt is a major step forward and a great example of how we’re using real-time data to improve protection for all occupants.”
Volvo’s dedication to safety is backed by over 50 years of research and data from more than 80,000 real-life crash cases, forming the backbone of the Volvo Cars Safety Standard, which often exceeds regulatory testing. This new safety belt is the latest development in Volvo’s long-standing commitment to building vehicles that are safe for everyone.
Tested at the Volvo Cars Safety Centre crash lab, now celebrating its 25th year, the multi-adaptive belt works in harmony with other safety systems such as airbags and driver assistance technologies. Together, they create a unified safety ecosystem designed to protect all occupants and reduce injury severity in any crash scenario. Will Volvo patent this tech though? Let’s wait and see.
