New Heated Seatbelt Might Replace Your Heated Seats

Soon, yourMustang Mach-Eor other EV could have heated seatbelts, thanks to ZF. Best of all, this tech can make your car more efficient.

ZF is best known for its transmissions, but the company is responsible for araft of impressive automotive technologiesnot limited to gearboxes. As the industry shows greater interest in electric cars and moves away from mechanical componentry, the auto parts supplier is figuring out how to remain at the forefront of automotive excellence, and the new ZF Heat Belt may help it to do just that.

The general idea is that a heated seatbelt will be more efficient than two largeheating elements in a seat bottomand back. With less energy used to warm seat occupants, ZF says that driving range can be improved by up to 15%. However, that figure is based on the reduced use of climate control systems in all their forms.

The invention uses heating conductors woven into the webbing of the belt, with the conductors adding next to nothing in terms of thickness or weight. On top of that, the belts will remain comfortable and promise no reduction in safety or additional complexity in operation.

The belts will still get plenty warm despite their tiny heating elements. ZF quotes a heated range between 97-104 degrees Fahrenheit. The firm also tells us the belts should warm up quickly and will be satisfying to use. Per ZF, "the heated belt is designed to provide occupants with a uniform feeling of warmth close to the body."