A new patent has been granted for Apple’s creative seatbelt design strategy for the anticipated Apple Car. Apple wants to replace the current red seatbelt release buttons with ones that light up and provide information. While details of the Apple Car are still unknown, the patent, entitled “Restraint with an indicator area”, gives an insight into Apple’s ideas for improving seatbelts.
To use the seatbelts in the Apple Car, a connector must be inserted into a buckle, which will still have a snap release button. However, Apple intends to make aesthetic improvements to the buckle. Red, brightly lit buckles will appear as soon as passengers enter the Apple Car. Once the belt is tightened, the red light goes out and the buckle changes to its standard colour to blend in with the building.
The aim of the illuminated buckle button is to make it easier for users to locate the seatbelt, especially when it’s not obvious which seatbelt to use or which buckle to fasten. Car manufacturer Skoda has already implemented a similar idea, albeit with a different strategy. According to Apple’s patent, a system of undetectable pores in the material that allow light to pass through could be used to hide the red light until it is needed.
“The description herein relates to a safety restraint that uses light emitted through an array of very small holes through an otherwise opaque surface to provide information to users regarding the operation of the safety restraint,” the patent explains. “For example, many seat belt buckles have red coloured release buttons to allow the user to easily identify the location and function of the button.”
These tiny holes allow light to pass through part of the restraint, but are not easily visible to the naked eye. These holes, located in an otherwise opaque part of the restraint, may be empty or filled with a translucent substance.
Apple car belt design details
As a result, the seatbelt and buckle light up in red when they need to be seen, before changing back to the same colour as the seat after they are buckled in. In addition, some images show a seatbelt with the word “Push” on it, although this isn’t mentioned in the patent language. It is not yet known if this word would be printed on the buckle release mechanism or if it would light up when the seatbelt is pulled close to the buckle.
In either scenario, the goal is to direct the consumer to either press the release button or the tongue of the seatbelt into the buckle. Given the context of the action, the use of the word ‘push’ can be interpreted as a little patronising. While it is reassuring to know that a seatbelt is securely fastened, current seatbelts already make a noticeable click when they are buckled.
Perhaps Apple has taken haptic feedback into account when designing the product. It’s interesting to note that this recently granted patent is Apple’s second foray into automotive lighting. A patent for ‘lighting systems of vehicle seats’, which explored the idea of illuminated seat adjustments, was awarded to the company in 2019.
