TRW's new Active Buckle Lifter (ABL) is part of a seat belt system that provides both safety and comfort. The ABL improves the buckle's accessibility by electrically lifting the seat belt buckle. The convenience comes when the buckle is lifted past the center console between the seats, and beyond the jacket or other objects that can hide the buckle. And, as many markets have an aging population, the more "reachable," more visible ABL can assist occupants whose mobility is reduced due to disease or disability.

During dynamic maneuvers the ABL acts as a reversible buckle pretensioner and adjusts the seat belt slack to better position occupants in their seats. Similar to the ACR2 this pre-pretensioning can be activated using data from active safety systems, such as the Electronic Stability Control and Brake Assist systems, as well as environmental sensors. TRW's Active Buckle Lifter allows different levels of prepretensioning strength, including partial pretensioning for dynamic support and a full retract for emergency functions.

Comfort function of the Active Buckle Lifter