Skoda Auto has patented an innovative seat belt retainer with a built-in "smart" indicator - it changes color depending on whether the passenger is fastened or not.
The button, which is traditionally made of red plastic, in this case is made transparent. Behind it are RGB LEDs, the color of which depends on the state of the seat.
If there is no one on the chair, the buckle glows white. When the weight sensor detects the presence of a passenger, the color will change to red: it indicates that it is necessary to buckle up. Once the seat belt is latched, the LED color will change to green and then back to white so as not to annoy the driver.
According to Skoda experts, the new system will not only help passengers find the latch, but also make life easier for parents. Thanks to the color differentiation of the seat belt status, they will be able to know exactly if the children are fastened.
Skoda also says that a specific animated welcome sequence of flashing LEDs can be set through the car's infotainment system to make them even more visible at night.
Illuminated seat belt buckles are the latest in a series of innovations from the Skoda Research Center. Last year alone, he filed 94 patent applications, more than any other company in the Czech Republic.
Skoda cars use a host of other small devices developed within the framework of the Simply Clever philosophy. These include an ice scraper provided on the inside of the fuel tank hatch, an umbrella hidden in the door, an enlarged washer fluid reservoir cap that becomes a funnel when opened, and much more.
Skoda has come up with a "smart" seat belt lock with color indication
