Motivation: Securing an infant car seat base into a vehicle often requires physical strength and precision, which not every parent, grandparent, or other caregiver has access to. Additionally,
many caregivers have difficulty determining when the base is tight enough, leading to worry and potential misuse. Despite existing safety guidelines, approximately 59% of car seats are installed improperly, putting the child at increased risk of injury in the event of a collision.
Project Summary: KidKlamp provides a user-friendly, accessible solution that allows caregivers to confidently and securely install infant car seat bases without excessive physical strength, while also providing confirmation that the seat has been safely and correctly tightened. Compatible with any infant car seat, KidKlamp is a detachable attachment that clamps onto the base of the seat during installation to provide added stability. It features a side hinge that allows the strap to be fed through with ease, and a simple mechanical system with a high gear ratio which significantly reduces the physical effort required to tighten the strap. Its intuitive color-coded strap system— designed to account for variations in vehicle seat materials— visually indicates the security status of the car seat base.
Team Members: Darika Djusupova, Alexis Heveron, Jared Murtha, Mark Short
