Volvo will debut a next-generation seatbelt system in its upcoming EX60 electric SUV, utilizing smart sensors and adaptive technology to tailor crash protection to each passenger’s body size and seating position.
Set to launch in 2026, the EX60 will be the first model to feature Volvo’s new “multi-adaptive safety belt,” a significant upgrade to the iconic three-point seatbelt the company introduced in 1959. While the basic belt design has remained essentially unchanged for decades, with enhancements like inertia reels and pretensioners, Volvo’s latest system takes vehicle safety into a new era by personalizing restraint performance.
Unlike traditional seatbelts, which apply the same force to every occupant regardless of size, Volvo’s new system uses onboard sensors to assess a passenger’s height, weight, body shape, seating posture, and even the direction and severity of a crash. It then adjusts the amount of force, or “load,” the belt applies in real time to reduce injury risk.
The system offers 11 different load limiter profiles, compared to the three typically found in modern seatbelts. For example, larger occupants will receive higher belt tension to reduce the risk of head injury, while smaller passengers will receive lower tension to avoid rib fractures.
The automaker also noted that the feature is designed to evolve with additional real-world crash data. The company plans to enhance the system over time via over-the-air (OTA) software updates.
The EX60, expected to compete with the BMW iX3 from the Neue Klasse lineup, is part of a broader product offensive from Volvo, which plans to introduce five new models in 2025. The adaptive seatbelt will be integrated into future Volvo vehicles as new models enter production.
