Volvo’s 2026 EX60 SUV to Feature Real-Time Adaptive Seatbelt

Volvo Cars announced plans to introduce a new multi-adaptive seatbelt in its upcoming electric mid-size SUV, the Volvo EX60, set for release in 2026. This innovation represents a major advancement from the conventional three-point seatbelt, first pioneered by Volvo in 1959. According to the company, the new seatbelt dynamically adjusts tension and load in real-time based on crash specifics and individual occupant characteristics.

The system is designed to optimize protection by tailoring restraint levels using sensor data that measures variables such as the occupant’s weight, height, body shape, and seating position, along with crash factors like speed, direction, and posture at the time of impact.

“For example, in a severe crash, a larger occupant will receive a higher belt load to reduce the risk of head injury. Conversely, in a milder crash, a smaller occupant will receive a lower load setting to minimize the chance of rib fractures,” Volvo explained in a statement.

The multi-adaptive belt expands the number of available load-limiting profiles from three to eleven. Load limiters in seatbelts regulate the force applied to the body during a crash. This expanded configuration allows for more precise adjustments to accommodate a wider range of crash scenarios.

The system processes data from both internal and external sensors within milliseconds. This includes real-time input from crash detection systems, occupant sensors, and vehicle dynamics. Once the system identifies the crash context, it selects the appropriate restraint configuration in coordination with other safety features, such as airbags.

“This is a significant enhancement of the modern three-point safety belt, a Volvo innovation credited with saving more than one million lives. The world’s first multi-adaptive seatbelt is another milestone in automotive safety and an example of how real-time data can help save millions more lives,” said Åsa Haglund, Director, Volvo Cars Safety Centre.

The multi-adaptive belt is a key component of Volvo’s broader integrated safety ecosystem. It works alongside driver assistance features and occupant detection systems to provide coordinated protection. Volvo emphasized that the system is not static; its performance will improve over time through over-the-air software updates.

Volvo’s development of this belt is based on over five decades of research and analysis of more than 80,000 real-life crash cases. This extensive dataset, collected through Volvo’s crash lab—now in its 25th year of operation—has shaped the algorithms and response protocols behind the adaptive system.

“By leveraging real-world accident data and the capabilities of connected vehicle systems, we can offer more personalized safety. This technology builds on the sensors, cameras, and computing power already integrated into our vehicles to enhance basic yet critical safety equipment,” Haglund added.