Following 66 years of the classic seatbelt, Volvo explores a new approach.

      Volvo

      Get the Drive’s daily newsletter

      The latest car news, reviews, and features.

      The electric 2026 Volvo EX60 will mark the Swedish manufacturer's introduction of its innovative “multi-adaptive safety belts.” This next-generation seat belt is engineered to enhance protection during an accident by swiftly processing impending-collision data from both external and internal sensors, fine-tuning factors such as impact speed and your driving posture.

      Contemporary seat belts are more complex than they may appear; they are not merely strips of fabric securing you in your seat. In any vehicle, pretensioners tighten the belt during rapid deceleration, while load limiters strategically release tension to prevent injury. Most cars manufactured in recent decades feature crash sensors that interact with airbags and speed sensors to adjust the load-limiting force to some extent.

      Volvo is recognized for introducing the now-standard three-point seat belt to the automotive industry, a 1959 innovation credited to Nils Bohlin. At that time, Volvo described the belt's purpose: “[it] effectively, and in a physiologically favorable manner, prevents the body of the strapped person from being thrown forward.” This patent was made public, and virtually every car manufacturer eventually adopted it.

      Now, Volvo aims to further that commitment to safety with the multi-adaptive belt (which, interestingly, does not have a catchy acronym or brand name).

      Building on the principles of pretensioners and load limiters, the EX60’s belts will utilize extensive information—regarding both the vehicle and the passengers—to enhance protection for those occupying the seats.

      From an external perspective, vehicle direction and speed will be considered. Internally, the EX60 will take into account passenger height, weight, and even posture to determine the optimal way to secure them.

      “For instance, a larger person involved in a serious accident will receive a higher belt load setting to help mitigate the risk of head injury. Conversely, a smaller person in a less severe crash will experience a lower belt load setting to lessen the risk of rib fractures,” Volvo explained.

      While Volvo’s conventional seat belts can apply three different load-limiting profiles, this new system incorporates 11, allowing for much greater precision in protecting your body during a collision, though it’s difficult to quantify the exact reduction in injury risk that this will produce.

      This brief glimpse from Volvo’s ES90 reveal video is the only preview we've had of the forthcoming EX60 so far.

      With the EX60, Volvo commits to continuously refining the operation of the system as it collects more real-world crash data, using over-the-air updates to enhance its logic. “As Volvo Cars gathers more data and insights, the car can improve its understanding of the occupants, new scenarios, and response strategies,” the brand stated.

      While I have reservations about sharing my telemetry with the manufacturer of my vehicle, this type of safety advancement presents a compelling argument.

      Seat belts are often overlooked until they are truly needed. And if that moment arises, you will want the most advanced seat belt ever designed.

      Got a tip? Send us a note at [email protected]