Takata Corporation, a leading global supplier of automotive safety systems such as seat belts, airbags and child seats, was awarded a 2014 Good Design award for its takata04-neo SF child seat, which can be securely fitted to a vehicle by simply turning the attached knob. This is the fourth year running that Takata has received a Good Design award.
Launched in June 2014, the takata04-neo SF child seat was developed to prevent common mistakes made when securing child seats*1, so that anyone can use the product with confidence. Research has found that the risk of death or serious injury increases by approximately 5 times*2 if a child seat is not correctly fitted. The takata04-neo SF aims to minimize this risk by enabling simple and correct fitment to vehicles without ISOFIX*3 connectors.
Takata will now look to pursue the creation of even greater functionality in its products, in the hope of further contributing to society and to customers.
*1) A 2014 national survey conducted by Japan’s National Police Agency and the Japanese Automobile Federation (JAF) on the use of child seats found that 60.5% of users were securing their child seat incorrectly. A lack of seat belt tens ion was the cause in more than 70% of those cases.
*2) Based on figures c ollated by Japan’s National Police Agency
*3) A new method for sec uring child s eats which does not require the use of the vehicle seat belt
Comment from the Good Design Award judges
Takata’s desire to offer a child seat which is compatible with non-ISOFIX vehicles signifies its dedication as a manufacturer. The product features a number of functions developed with the user in mind, such as the ability to secure the seat with minimal physical force, and the “click” which sounds when it is correctly secured to the vehicle.
takata04-neo SF on display at Good Design Exhibition 2014
Takata’s takata04-neo SF child seat will be introduced at the Good Design Exhibition 2014, from October 31 (Friday) at Tokyo Midtown. The Good Design Exhibition is a highly popular annual design event which showcases the latest Good Design award winners.
