In 2026, Volvo’s new electric SUV, the EX60, will debut a world-first innovation: a multiadaptive seatbelt capable of adjusting its function according to the occupant—and the specific crash scenario.

Thanks to sensors embedded both inside and outside the vehicle, the system analyzes in real time the passenger’s height, weight, posture, and the type of collision predicted. Within a fraction of a second, it applies the optimal setting to maximize protection and reduce injuries, whether it’s a head trauma or fractured ribs.

To achieve this, Volvo has expanded its load limiter profiles from three to eleven. This improvement allows the seatbelt to better adapt to the occupant’s body. For instance, a lighter passenger involved in a low-impact crash will experience less belt tension than a larger adult facing a more severe collision.

Developed at Volvo’s Safety Centre in Gothenburg, this technology is part of a comprehensive safety ecosystem that combines airbags, occupant detection and driver assistance systems. It is underpinned by a database of more than 80,000 road accident victims, compiled and analyzed by Volvo over the past 50 years.

Constantly evolving through over-the-air software updates, the multiadaptive seatbelt builds on the legacy of its three-point predecessor, patented by Volvo in 1959. It’s yet another sign that the Swedish automaker remains a driving force in the history of automotive safety.