Three-point seatbelts, the kind we commonly see in practically all vehicles today, have been an industry standard for 32 years already. Now, Ford Motor Co. is currently developing a new design for the seat belt of the future. The new seat belt is modeled after the belts worn by race car drivers. Its design has four points, looks like suspenders, hooks on like a backpack and is more comfortable and easier to use, or so Ford claims.

The new seat belt is designed to keep the person firmly in place. During initial testing, consumers found the four-point seat belt more comfortable than current seat belt designs. It was also much easier to use because the buckle is in the front and is easier to latch on.

Aside from the four-point seat belt, Ford is also developing an inflatable belt that contains a strap of air bag material. The strap inflates into a cylindrical shape when the air bag sensors deploys. It then helps spread the force of the crash over a wider section of the body, thereby reducing the pressure on the chest and helping control the movement of the head and the neck in the event of an accident or collision.

However, Ford says that introducing these new seat belt designs into the mainstream may still be years away. “A number of technical challenges still need to be overcome before implementing these restraint systems. If we are successful in implementing these technologies, we will be redefining the nature of future occupant restraint systems.” Says Dr. Priya Prasad, safety fellow at Ford Motor.