Toronto, Ontario — Volvo is announcing an AI-powered, multi-adaptive smart seatbelt designed to improve safety in real-world traffic scenarios.
The new seatbelts are set to debut in the upcoming electri EX60 in 2026 and are meant to better protect drivers and passengers by adapting to both traffic and the person wearing the belt using real-time data from sensors in the vehicle.
“The world’s 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 of more lives,” said Åsa Haglund, head of Volvo Cars Safety Centre, in a press release from the company. “This marks a major upgrade to the modern three-point safety belt, a Volvo invention introduced in 1959, estimated to have saved over a million lives.”
Using the internal and external sensors, the belts adapt their settings based on the profile of the wearer- taking into account the weight, height, body shape and seated position. Volvo explains that a larger occupant in a serious crash would receive a higher belt load setting to reduce the risk of head injury. In contrast, a smaller occupant in a mild crash would receive a lighter belt load to reduce potential rib fractures.
The safety belts will improve its understanding of occupants, new scenarios and response strategies through over-the-air updates. The belt will integrate and work within Volvo’s safety system to provide harmonized protection systems and reduce risk of injuries.
