How the World's First Multi-Adaptive Seatbelt Works

Three-point seatbelts, as we know them today and which are standard in all vehicles, were invented by Nils Bohlin, a Swedish engineer working for Volvo.

Volvo first introduced this three-point seatbelt as standard equipment in their cars in 1959, specifically in the Volvo Amazon and Volvo PV544 models.

While there were previous patents and uses of seatbelts (such as two-point belts or those developed by George Cayley for gliders in the 19th century, or even in racing cars), Bohlin's invention was revolutionary for its effective design that distributed impact force across the torso and pelvis, and for being easy to use.

After its commercialization, Volvo decided to release the patent for this invention so that any car manufacturer could use it freely. This altruistic decision has saved millions of lives in the following decades, making the three-point seatbelt the most important safety innovation in automotive history.

Now, the Swedish brand is further evolving safety with the new seatbelt, which will debut in the upcoming all-electric Volvo EX60 in 2026. It is designed to better protect people by adapting to traffic variations and the wearer through real-time data collected by the vehicle's advanced sensors.

The Volvo EX60 will be a mid-sized electric SUV expected to compete with the Tesla Model Y. It is anticipated to hit the market in 2026 with a range close to 640 km and an estimated starting price of around €70,000.

This advanced technology uses data from the vehicle's interior and exterior sensors to customize the force applied by the seatbelt, instantly adapting to the occupant's characteristics—such as height, weight, body shape, and seat position—and the specific collision situation.

"The first multi-adaptive seatbelt is another milestone in automotive safety and an excellent example of how we can leverage real-time data to save millions more lives," says Åsa Haglund, head of the Volvo Cars Safety Centre.

Unlike traditional systems, which offer limited load adjustment, Volvo's new seatbelt significantly expands the number of its "load-limiting profile variations" from three to eleven. This allows for unprecedented optimization of its performance. For instance, in a severe collision, a larger occupant would receive a higher load adjustment to reduce the risk of head injuries, while a smaller person in a milder impact would receive a lower adjustment to minimize the risk of rib fractures.

The system works by analyzing collision sensor data, as well as the vehicle's exterior and interior sensors, in a fraction of a second. This information about the impact direction, speed, and passenger posture allows the system to select the most suitable protection configuration.

True to Volvo's philosophy of learning from the real world, this innovation is based on over five decades of research and a database with more than 80,000 occupants involved in real accidents.

Additionally, the functionality of the new multi-adaptive seatbelt is designed to continuously improve through over-the-air software updates. As Volvo Cars collects more data, the vehicle will refine its understanding of occupants and situations, developing even more effective response strategies.

This seatbelt is part of a broader safety ecosystem at Volvo Cars, working in perfect harmony with airbags, occupant detection systems, and driver assistance systems to offer harmonized protection and maximize effectiveness. All of this has been tested and refined at Volvo Cars' crash test laboratory, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, where the strictest conditions are recreated to ensure maximum safety.