Volvo demonstrates new seatbelt technology

Volvo has unveiled new seatbelt technology that can adapt real-time protection based on passenger parameters and driving conditions. The system is called «Multi-Adaptive Seatbelt» and uses data from internal and external sensors to instantly change the protection settings.

The system takes into account an occupant’s height, weight, build and body position, as well as the direction and speed of the vehicle. All of this data is transmitted to the belt in a fraction of a second to optimize the level of protection.

For example, an occupant with a large build will get a higher belt load limit to reduce the risk of head injury in a serious crash. And for someone with a frail body, the system will reduce the belt load in a minor collision to prevent rib fractures.

And for someone with a fragile body, the system will reduce the belt load to prevent rib fractures.

Volvo didn’t specify whether the new system takes into account the seating characteristics of women, whose belts often don’t lie correctly on their chests. However, the company did say that the number of load limiting profiles has been increased to 11 – up from three for traditional systems. This allows the level of protection to be more precisely tailored to the individual.

The new system was developed based on more than 50 years of safety research and analyzing data from 80,000 real-world crashes. It also supports over-the-air updates, and Volvo promises to improve it as new data becomes available.

The new system has been developed based on 50 years of safety research, analyzing data from 80,000 real-world crashes.

«The world’s first multi-adaptive seat belt system is another breakthrough in automotive safety and an example of how we are using real-time data to save millions of lives»” said the head of Volvo Cars’ Safety Center, Åsa Haglund. «This is a major update to the classic three-point belt, invented by Volvo in 1959 and estimated to have saved more than a million lives.»

The inventor of the three-point seat belt, Volvo engineer Nils Bolin, once made the patent available to all automakers. It’s not yet clear whether Volvo will follow the same path with the new system. All we know is that the multi-adaptive belt will first appear in Volvo’s all-electric EX60 crossover, due out next year.

Multi-adaptive belt will be available for the first time in the all-electric Volvo EX60 crossover.

The story Volvo demonstrates new seatbelt technology was first published on ITZine.ru.