Volvo Takes The World's Biggest Safety Technology Another Step Into The Future

Now, the Swedish marque has improved seatbelts in such a way that they will automatically adjust according to what the situation dictates.Now, the Swedish marque has improved seatbelts in such a way that they will automatically adjust according to what the situation dictates.

Called the multi-adaptive safety belt, this will be the first of its kind, highlighting Volvo's penchant for safety innovations. It was extensively tested at the Volvo Cars Safety Center crash lab and will debut next year in the EX60 - an all-electric crossover to slot below the EX90 and above the EX30. As no accidents are exactly alike, Volvo's newest tech can be groundbreaking, which can potentially lead to more lives being saved.

Adapting Situations Based On Sensor Inputs
According to Volvo, the multi-adaptive safety belt works by using both interior and exterior sensors to gather real-time data. These data points - which include passenger posture, height, weight, body shape, and crash severity - will then be used to adjust the safety belt's load settings "in less than the blink of an eye," suiting the occupant and crash scenario. The new system increases load-limiting profiles from 3 to 11 distinct settings.

For example, larger individuals in high-severity crashes need higher belt loads to help prevent head injuries. In contrast, smaller people in less severe crashes will need lower belt loads to mitigate the risks of rib fractures. Volvo said that the new multi-adaptive belt system will improve over time via over-the-air software updates, enhancing performance using Volvo’s growing data pool and real-world crash analysis.

"The world-first multi-adaptive safety belt is another milestone for automotive safety and a great example of how we leverage real-time data with the ambition to help save millions more lives."

To Be Introduced In 2026 With The All-New EX60
As mentioned, Volvo plans to introduce the multi-adaptive safety belt in the EX60, which was previewed in a quick teaser in the launch video of the new ES90 sedan. This all-new EV, which will be the first vehicle to be built on Volvo’s SPA3 platform, will be produced next year, though prototypes will be built this year so road-testing can commence. It's part of Volvo's roadmap, which is quite busy in the next several months, including the reintroduction of the XC70 nameplate.