Volvo Upgrades Seatbelt Tech With Real-Time Adjustment For Perfect Fit

Volvo, well-known for inventing the three-point seatbelt used in most cars, has now announced a new type of seatbelt aimed at improving in-car safety. This new 'multi-adaptive safety belt' uses sensors to collect and analyse real-time data related to the occupant's height, weight, body shape, and seating position. This will help the tech respond accordingly in the event of a crash. Hence, the amount of force applied to restrain the occupant will be customised.

In case of a collision, real-time data with various metrics, including speed, direction, and posture, will be used to calculate the best way to protect each individual instantly. A larger occupant in the seat will receive a higher belt load. This will result in a reduced risk of head injury. Meanwhile, the response for a relatively smaller person will be less severe to reduce the impact on their ribs.

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Current three-point seatbelts use load limiters to modulate the force required to secure a human body during a collision, but they typically have only three preset levels. Volvo claims its adaptive technology expands the number of variables, tailoring each seatbelt for different individuals and circumstances.

The ability to perform over-the-air software updates will enable ongoing enhancements to the seatbelts' detection and response systems as the company collects additional data from real-world scenarios. The first vehicle to feature this new multi-adaptive seatbelt technology will be the fully electric EX60, set to debut in 2026.

Volvo Cars states that it has drawn on five decades of safety research, compiling a database that includes over 80,000 real-life incidents involving individuals in various automotive accidents across diverse situations.