Volvo Improves the Seat Belt
Introduced in 1959, the Volvo three-point seat belt was a revolution for automotive safety. It has saved millions of lives, but now the Swedish brand is using modern technology to improve it. The first car with the updated system will be the electric SUV EX60.
Over the decades, the belt has undergone changes – inertia reels and pre-tensioners have appeared. However, all existing systems are designed for an “average” passenger. The new “multi-adaptive” version analyzes height, weight, body position, and even the direction of impact in an accident. It has 11 levels of load limitation instead of the standard three.
The car analyzes crash characteristics “faster than the blink of an eye” and adapts the belt according to the situation
For a larger passenger, the system will select a higher load level to prevent head injuries, while for a child or a slender person – a lower one, reducing the risk of rib fractures. Testing was conducted at the Volvo Safety Center in Sweden, and further improvements will be delivered via over-the-air updates.
This technology is an example of how traditional safety systems are getting a new lease on life thanks to digital technologies. The implementation of adaptive solutions will reduce injury rates in accidents for passengers of different physiques, which is especially relevant for family cars. The development of such systems could lead to the emergence of individual safety profiles for each passenger.