Mitigating the consequences of crashes: Volvo develops the virtual seatbelt

The introduction of the three-point seat belt saved millions of lives. Today, sensors, cameras, and adaptive algorithms are set to revolutionize the system. The traditional seat belt is becoming smarter, and developers at Volvo in Sweden have already made significant progress.

Three cheers for the seatbelt! Benny is absolutely certain of that. The paramedic from Ammersee often has to pull people from the wreckage of their cars after an accident and knows: "Airbags and assistance systems certainly mitigate the consequences of a serious crash – but without a seatbelt, most people would certainly be dead." The paramedic isn't entirely happy with the seatbelt, though: "It's a pretty antiquated device: it rips violently and hurls you back into the seat. That also causes some injuries. Well... there's no other way."

However, the safety experts at Volvo see things differently. The Swedes are now making this trusty lifesaver much smarter: Their "multi-adaptive seatbelt" can individually adapt to different occupants and traffic situations and retract into the seat in the event of a crash. This world-first safety innovation is integrated into the vehicle's central computer – and can thus instantly evaluate and utilize real-time data from interior and exterior sensors. This allows it to adjust the belt force and restraint performance to the occupants in the seats much more individually than previously possible.

This should help prevent many painful crash consequences. Paramedic Benny regularly reports cases of broken ribs in petite women when the belt is pulled too harshly. Bruises on the neck or head injuries in very tall passengers are also not uncommon. The three-point belt, invented by the Swedes in 1959, is, like most seats, not custom-made but rather designed for the average person. "But not everyone is close to the average," says accident researcher Lotta Jakobsson.

Volvo's smart belt can now optimally adjust its force to the occupants' size, weight, body shape, and seating position, as well as the accident situation. While such so-called belt force limiting profiles have existed before, more than three different scenarios were not possible due to the lack of connection to the data processors, sensors, and cameras. In its all-electric EX60, which will hit the road next year, Volvo can almost quadruple this number. "And also in all new vehicles on this platform," promises Chief Technology Officer Anders Bell. The belt should then quickly become even smarter and more sensitive, as the Swedes are constantly entering new data from their crash tests, real-life accidents, or previous evaluations of vehicle data into the system – overnight and wirelessly.

Central computer looks ahead

The seatbelt is just one safety feature that will be enhanced by digital connectivity. The software on wheels will enable many more safety systems in the future. A complex system of cameras, radar, lidar, and computer technology forms a digital cocoon that keeps an eye on the car and its surroundings.

Volvo sees data as the key safety feature of the coming years. And the Swedes have more of it than almost any other manufacturer. Since the 1970s, Volvo has analyzed more than 43,000 real-life accidents involving over 72,000 people. These unique and in-depth insights form the foundation for many of the safety solutions now going into series production.

For example, Volvo's EX90 SUV is the first to feature Safe Space Technology. At its heart is a powerful central computer that processes information from cameras, radar, and lidar in real time. The sensors detect other vehicles, pedestrians, or cyclists at distances of up to 250 meters, even in adverse lighting conditions. Combined with artificial intelligence, hypothetical hazard scenarios can also be simulated to prepare the system for previously unknown situations.

To achieve this, Volvo uses what it calls "Gaussian Splatting" to transform real images into three-dimensional, lifelike environments. This allows the software to learn how to react to suddenly appearing obstacles, animals on the road, or extreme weather conditions while driving – even before such events actually occur. But the Swedes aren't just looking outside. Like most other manufacturers, the interior is also increasingly being monitored. The Driver Understanding System uses cameras and sensors to detect whether the driver is tired, distracted, or no longer paying attention. If there is no reaction, the system takes over: The vehicle brakes in a controlled manner, stops, and notifies emergency services if necessary.

Such surveillance – now mandated by governments in many countries – is not only suspect among data protection professionals. Volvo Chief Technology Officer Bell emphasizes the need for an open dialogue when it comes to such interventions in driving behavior. Volvo intends to use systems for security purposes and anonymize personal data. Other manufacturers are less clear in their terms and conditions.

The fundamental trend toward increasingly powerful and networked safety data will remain unchanged, especially since authorities, insurance companies, and service providers are also keenly interested in the findings. With each update, vehicles become more adaptive, more predictive, and safer. In the EX90, for example, the Nvidia hardware delivers eight times faster computing power than in previous models. Cameras, sensors, and algorithms form an invisible safety net that is constantly vigilant, thinks along, and acts. Data is thus the new protective shield—and the seatbelt merely an auxiliary device.