Volvo introduces new smart seatbelt

Volvo, which first introduced the three-point seat belt in 1959, now wants to make driving even safer. The company is working on a smart seat belt that will adapt to the driver and use advanced car sensors to provide better protection.

The new seatbelt will debut in the upcoming all-electric Volvo EX60, due out in 2026. Its goal is to better protect people by adapting to changes in the road and the characteristics of the driver or passenger, using data from the car's sensors in real time.

The multi-adaptive belt can use data from internal and external sensors to provide personalized protection. It will adapt settings based on the situation and the person's profile, such as their height, weight, body shape and sitting position.

"For example, a larger occupant in a serious crash will receive a higher belt load setting to help reduce the risk of head injury. While a smaller occupant in a milder crash will receive a lower belt load setting to reduce the risk of rib fractures," the company explains.

The new system uses internal, external and impact sensors to instantly analyze the characteristics of a collision—direction, speed, and occupant position—and then transmits this data to the seat belt so it can automatically adjust for maximum protection.

Volvo also notes that the new belt will receive over-the-air software updates as the company collects more data and analytics.