Volvo has created one of the best inventions of 2025 in the form of its world-first adaptive safety belt!
This is the second year in a row that Volvo has been featured on TIME’s Best Inventions list after its Driver Understanding System, designed to detect driver distraction or impairment, was featured in the 2024 list.
The new safety belt will debut in the fully electric Volvo EX60 SUV, which will be revealed in January 2026. The safety belt adjusts its behaviour based on real-time data from both the car and its occupants. This effectively creates more personalised protection for every person inside the vehicle.
Developed by Volvo’s Safety Centre, the belt uses sensors to adjust restraint levels according to traffic conditions and the individual’s height, weight, body shape, and seating position. In practice, this means a heavier person involved in a serious crash may receive a higher belt load to protect against head injuries, while a smaller occupant in a less severe accident would receive a lighter load to help prevent rib fractures.
“We are proud to be recognised by TIME as a leader in automotive safety. With the multi-adaptive safety belt in the upcoming EX60, we’re leveraging real-time data to adapt to the situation and the person wearing it – providing smarter, personalised protection that can help reduce injury.”
Åsa Haglund, head of Volvo Cars Safety Centre
The system will also evolve over time through over-the-air updates, improving its understanding of new scenarios and occupant profiles as Volvo gathers more real-world data.
The Volvo EX60 will be officially displayed during a livestream from Stockholm on 21st January 2026.
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