Volvo Cars has announced a groundbreaking upgrade to seatbelt technology, set to launch with its all-electric EX60 model in 2026. This advanced safety belt aims to offer better protection by adjusting in real-time to both road conditions and the specific needs of the person wearing it, using data from the vehicle’s smart sensors.

This multi-adaptive safety belt uses both internal and external sensor data to tailor its response, adjusting according to the situation and the wearer’s physical features like height, weight, body type, and seating posture. For instance, in a severe crash, a heavier passenger will get a stronger belt response to help protect their head, while a lighter passenger in a minor accident will experience a softer load to reduce the risk of rib injuries.

The system works by expanding the range of load-limiting settings, which control how much force is applied during a crash. What makes it even more advanced is its ability to improve over time through software updates. As Volvo collects more information, the system becomes smarter in recognizing passengers and different crash situations, and can adjust its responses accordingly.

Unlike older seatbelt systems, this new version pulls data from multiple sources—inside the car, outside, and from crash sensors. In a fraction of a second, it processes crash details like speed, direction, and the passenger’s position, and uses that information to choose the best safety setting for that moment.

Åsa Haglund, head of the Volvo Cars Safety Centre, called the new seatbelt a major leap in automotive safety and a clear use of real-time data to protect lives. She noted that this innovation builds on Volvo’s legacy, the brand first introduced the three-point safety belt in 1959, a design credited with saving more than a million lives globally