Volvo Unveils Multi-Adaptive Seatbelt Technology for Enhanced Safety

Volvo has introduced a groundbreaking seatbelt technology designed to customize the protection it provides in real time. The “multi-adaptive safety belt” system, as the automaker refers to it, utilizes data from both interior and exterior sensors to adjust protection settings based on a variety of factors. This innovative system takes into account a passenger’s height, weight, body shape, and seating position, as well as the direction and speed of the vehicle.

How the Multi-Adaptive Safety Belt Works

The multi-adaptive safety belt system can communicate all relevant information to the seatbelt “in the blink of an eye,” allowing it to optimize protection for the passenger. For instance, if a passenger is larger, they will receive a higher belt load setting to mitigate the risk of head injuries in the event of a serious crash. Conversely, for milder crashes, a smaller-framed individual will benefit from a lower belt load setting to prevent rib injuries.

While Volvo did not specify whether the system accounts for the positioning of a seatbelt on women, who may not always have a proper fit over their chest, the automaker did explain that the system expands the number of load-limiting profiles from the typical three to eleven. Load limiters are crucial as they control the amount of force a seatbelt applies to the body during a crash, and this expansion allows for better optimization of passenger protection.

Research and Development Behind the Technology

Volvo’s new safety belt technology is rooted in five decades of safety research, drawing from a comprehensive database of over 80,000 individuals involved in real-life accidents. This extensive research has informed the design of the multi-adaptive safety belt, ensuring that it meets the highest safety standards.

Additionally, the system is designed to incorporate improvements through over-the-air software updates. Volvo anticipates releasing these updates as it gathers more data and insights, further enhancing the system’s capabilities.

Statements from Volvo Officials

Åsa Haglund, head of Volvo Cars Safety Centre, stated, “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 of more lives. 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.”

The Legacy of Volvo’s Safety Innovations

The modern three-point seatbelt was designed by Volvo engineer Nils Bohlin, who made its patent available for use by other automakers, significantly influencing automotive safety standards worldwide. While the company has not disclosed whether it will adopt a similar approach with the multi-adaptive safety belt, it is confirmed that this new system will debut in the all-electric Volvo EX60 midsize SUV sometime next year.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at Engadget.