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Volvo raises the bar for seatbelt safety with the EX60
Volvo has unveiled a world-first in occupant protection: a multi-adaptive safety belt that will debut on the brand's upcoming all-electric EX60 SUV. The system, already named one of TIME's Best Inventions of 2025, rethinks the humble seatbelt by making restraint both personalised and context-aware.
How the multi-adaptive belt works
Instead of a one-size-fits-all tension setting, Volvo's system continuously analyses inputs from the vehicle's interior and exterior sensor suite. The car profiles each occupant by accounting for height, weight, body shape and seating posture, and it combines that with real-time data about the driving situation—speed, steering, braking, and the severity of any impending collision.
The result: the belt dynamically adjusts load and tension to protect people more precisely. A larger passenger heading into a high-energy impact may receive a stronger belt load to limit upper-body movement, while a smaller passenger in a lower-speed event will experience gentler restraint to reduce rib or chest injuries. This is a move from generic restraint toward what Volvo calls intelligent, human-aware protection.
Smart, learning safety
One of the standout features is that the system is software-first. Like many of Volvo's next-gen safety technologies, the multi-adaptive belt will receive over-the-air (OTA) updates. As Volvo collects anonymised data from real-world driving and advanced crash simulations, the belt's control algorithms will be refined — in short, the EX60 won't just deploy protection, it will learn to protect better over time.
Highlights:
- Real-time occupant profiling based on height, weight, posture
- Dynamic belt tensioning tailored to crash severity and occupant size
- Integration with vehicle sensors for situational awareness
- OTA updates that refine algorithms from new data
Context in Volvo's electric lineup
The EX60 sits between Volvo's compact EX30 and flagship EX90 electric SUVs, reflecting the brand's Scandinavian priorities of simplicity, sustainability and safety. Volvo has made zero collisions and zero fatalities a long-term objective for its new vehicles, and the multi-adaptive safety belt is a tangible step toward that goal.
The system also builds on a recent streak of advanced safety tech from Volvo. Last year the company earned recognition for its Driver Understanding System — an AI-driven feature that monitors driver attention and well-being currently available in the EX90 and ES90.
Design and tech, with a nod to practicality
While the multi-adaptive belt is a safety story first, its integration into the EX60 highlights Volvo's balanced approach to EV design. The EX60 is expected to emphasise refined Scandinavian styling, efficient electric drive options, and a feature set that positions it as a premium, mid-size electric SUV. Specific powertrain and range figures have yet to be confirmed, but the EX60's role between the EX30 and EX90 suggests it will target buyers who want a mix of accessible efficiency and tech-forward safety.
Quote from Volvo's safety team:
'With this technology, the EX60 can adapt protection to both the person wearing the belt and the surrounding conditions,' says Åsa Haglund, Head of the Volvo Cars Safety Center. 'It's personalised, precise and continually improving.'
When you can see it
Volvo plans a livestreamed world premiere for the EX60 on January 21, 2026, from Stockholm. Expect detailed specs, pricing guidance for key markets and more demonstrations of how the multi-adaptive safety belt and other advanced driver assistance systems work together.
Whether you're an EV shopper, a safety-minded driver or an industry watcher, Volvo's new seatbelt concept signals a shift in automotive safety: from passive restraint devices to adaptive, software-driven protection tailored to individual occupants and real-world situations.
Source: autoevolution
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