Lifesaver with infrared signature: ZF LIFETEC makes the seat belt visible to in-cabin cameras

Alfdorf, July 23rd, 2026   +++   ZF LIFETEC, a leading global manufacturer of passive safety systems for passenger cars, has developed a seat belt with an integrated infrared signature. The so-called “Infrared Belt” enables interior cameras to reliably verify that the seat belt is being worn correctly. This solution helps vehicle manufacturers meet current and future safety requirements of independent vehicle safety rating organizations like NCAP. Series production is already scheduled to start in August 2026.

“At ZF LIFETEC, we have relied for years on the targeted interaction between our safety products and in-cabin cameras,” said Harald Lutz, Senior Vice President Research & Development at ZF LIFETEC. 
“The significant role that in-cabin cameras already play in mobility is highlighted by the EU requirement, which came into force on July 7, 2026, mandating in-cabin camera-based fatigue and distraction detection in new vehicles to monitor driver attention,” Lutz added. However, it is not only the European Union that is placing increasing importance on reliable camera-based occupant detection. Euro NCAP is also giving greater emphasis to this technology, with the reliable detection of correct seat belt positioning being one of its key focus areas. This is exactly where ZF LIFETEC’s new “Infrared Belt” comes into play. The seat belt is one of the most important restraint systems in a vehicle and can only provide its full protective effect when worn correctly. With an infrared seat belt webbing specifically developed for camera-based occupant detection, ZF LIFETEC enables vehicle manufacturers to reliably determine whether the seat belt is positioned correctly. “Our new seat belt enables infrared cameras to more accurately identify whether an occupant is optimally protected. By doing so, we create the foundation for higher-quality occupant detection and significantly enhance safety for drivers, front passengers, and rear-seat occupants alike,” said Lutz.

Clear visibility for interior cameras
The new “Infrared Belt” from ZF LIFETEC is based on a targeted material design of the fabric. This involves combining different yarns which have specific spectral properties. They produce an integrated infrared signature that camera-based systems can clearly interpret. Cameras operating in this optical spectrum detect differences in the reflection and absorption of materials. Based on this physical principle, the seat belt stands out clearly from clothing, skin, or seat surfaces, regardless of lighting conditions inside the vehicle. The result is a stable, high-contrast signal that makes it possible to precisely determine the belt’s position. Series production is scheduled to begin in August 2026 – for all seating positions, including the rear seats.

Reliable detection independent of light and environment
Infrared cameras can track the path of the seat belt along the body (seat belt position). Based on this information, automakers can use intelligent detection algorithms to determine whether the seat belt is correctly routed over the shoulder or, for example, runs under the arm or behind the occupant’s back. Compared to traditional sensor systems, this approach therefore offers clear advantages: Seat belt buckle sensors, for example, only detect whether a seat belt is fastened – but provide no information about its actual protective effect. Only the combination of infrared sensors and an optimized seat belt fabric make it possible to clearly assess the actual seat belt position. The solution also proves to be more robust than conventional RGB cameras. Optical reflections or backgrounds of identical colors can hinder the detection of the belt’s path. Infrared-based detection, on the other hand, relies on clearly defined physical material properties, allowing the belt to be reliably identified regardless of clothing, lighting, or the environment.

EU Requirement for In-Cabin Cameras in New Vehicles from July 7, 2026
EU Regulation 2023/4523 establishes camera-based fatigue and distraction detection as a key building block of modern vehicle safety. These systems detect when drivers divert their attention from the road for too long and provide timely warnings in critical situations. Their purpose is to help reduce distraction-related accidents and improve safety for all road users. Since July 7, 2026, such systems have been mandatory for all newly approved vehicle types in the European Union. The regulation underscores the growing importance of intelligent camera technologies for the future of road safety.

Actual protective performance of seat belts: Euro NCAP targets for 2030
Within Vision 2030, Euro NCAP is consistently focusing vehicle safety assessments on real-life safety performance. The emphasis lies on a holistic view of safety, and the question of how effectively restraint systems perform under real-world conditions. 
To answer this, Euro NCAP requires vehicles to detect occupants and assess whether they are optimally protected in the event of an accident. Regarding seat belts, it is no longer sufficient for a vehicle to detect whether the tongue plate is inserted into the buckle. The system must also reliably evaluate whether occupants are wearing the belt correctly so that it can deliver its protective effect. As a result, camera-based interior monitoring systems are becoming increasingly important. They enable the reliable detection of seat belt misuse and provide this information to vehicle safety systems. In addition, Euro NCAP requires that detected seat belt misuse be communicated through appropriate audiovisual warnings in order to prompt occupants to wear the seat belt correctly. Looking ahead, further enhancements of occupant monitoring requirements are expected as part of Euro NCAP's Vision 2030 roadmap.

50 years of mandatory seat belt use in Germany – 65 Years of Passive Safety 
at ZF LIFETEC
The introduction of mandatory seat belt use in Germany in January 1976 was a milestone in vehicle safety. For 65 years, ZF LIFETEC has played a key role in shaping the development of modern seat belt systems. As early as 1967 – just six years after the company was founded – the company, then operating under the name REPA, began mass-producing static seat belts, thereby laying the foundation for decades of continuous pioneering work in occupant protection. Today, the seat belt is at the heart of networked safety architectures that intelligently integrate mechanics, sensor technology, and software. At the same time, the seat belt is an integral component of modern passive safety systems. Adaptive sensor technology and real-time data fusion now ensure that seat belt, airbag, and steering wheel systems only achieve their full protective effect when working together to provide occupants with the best possible protection in the event of an accident. With the “Infrared Belt”, ZF LIFETEC takes the seat belt to a new level of development – transforming it into an active element that allows the actual protective effect to be precisely detected.

Presentation at AIRBAG 2026
The new infrared seatbelt webbing for the driver, front passenger, and rear passengers is part of the product portfolio that ZF LIFETEC will present at AIRBAG 2026 (December 8 –10, 2026, in Mannheim). This international event is a key platform for passive safety and brings together automakers, suppliers, research institutions, and regulatory agencies.