Developing a safer child safety seat with an easy-to-use harness system
Official title: Intuitive Child Safety Seat to Increase Security
Funded at Minnesota Healthsolutions Corporation · NIH-10931745 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new type of child safety seat that makes it easier for parents to securely buckle their kids in, helping to keep them safe during car rides.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Minnesota Healthsolutions Corporation NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Paul, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2019 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $914,790 |
| NIH project number | 5R44HD097846-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10931745 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include caregivers of children aged 0-11 years who use or are considering using child safety seats.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have children or do not use child safety seats may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating a child safety seat that features a novel intuitive harness tensioning system designed to ensure children are securely harnessed. The project aims to address the common issue of loose harnesses, which significantly reduce the effectiveness of child safety seats. By utilizing an all-mechanical system that simplifies the harnessing process, the researchers hope to improve the rate of proper usage among caregivers. The effectiveness of this new design will be evaluated through prototype testing and feedback from users.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a significant reduction in child injuries and fatalities related to automobile accidents.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that improving the design and usability of child safety seats can lead to better safety outcomes, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Minnesota Healthsolutions Corporation
Saint Paul, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Seifert, Sara — Minnesota Healthsolutions Corporation
- Study coordinator: Seifert, Sara
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.