Tutum.
A children's car safety device designed to combat forgotten baby syndrome.
Year.
Spring 2025
Project.
Designer's Choice
Duration.
8 Weeks
Role.
Individual
Recognition.
ASU Herberger Design Excellence
Tutum.
A children's car safety device designed to combat forgotten baby syndrome.
Year
Spring 2025
Duration
8 Weeks
Role
Individual
Recognition
ASU Herberger Design Excellence
Tutum.
A children's car safety device designed to combat forgotten baby syndrome.
Year
Spring 2025
Duration
8 Weeks
Role
Individual
Recognition
ASU Herberger Design Excellence
Forgotten Baby Syndrome.
Forgotten baby syndrome (FBS) is a phenomenon that causes parents to forget about their child in the car. While this can be caused by a multitude of reasons, it is most often due to a lapse in memory from a change in routine.
Forgotten baby syndrome (FBS) is a phenomenon that causes parents to forget about their child in the car. While this can be caused by a multitude of reasons, it is most often due to a lapse in memory from a change in routine.
Forgotten baby syndrome (FBS) is a phenomenon that causes parents to forget about their child in the car. While this can be caused by a multitude of reasons, it is most often due to a lapse in memory from a change in routine.
Background.
An average of 38 children die every year from being left in a hot car.
This equates to approximately 1 every 9 days.
This equates to approximately 1 every 9 days.
In 2024, 20 out of 39 hot car deaths were unknowingly left and 2 gained access to the vehicle.
In 2024, 20 out of 39 hot car deaths were unknowingly left and 2 gained access to the vehicle.
Parent Testimonials.
Collected from the "Child Stories: Hot Car" section, these three encapsulate the most common cases for car related heatstroke for children. Out of 52 (50 listed with cause), 31 were FBS from a change in routine & distractions, 10 gained access to the vehicle, 6 were under a care giver's watch, 1 unknown, and 2 by parental negligence.
Collected from the "Child Stories: Hot Car" section, these three encapsulate the most common cases for car related heatstroke for children. Out of 52 (50 listed with cause), 31 were FBS from a change in routine & distractions, 10 gained access to the vehicle, 6 were under a care giver's watch, 1 unknown, and 2 by parental negligence.
Collected from the "Child Stories: Hot Car" section, these three encapsulate the most common cases for car related heatstroke for children. Out of 52 (50 listed with cause), 31 were FBS from a change in routine & distractions, 10 gained access to the vehicle, 6 were under a care giver's watch, 1 unknown, and 2 by parental negligence.
Thomas Cestia
Thomas Cestia
Father | 2021
Father | 2021
Thomas was unknowingly left in the vehicle by his father after a change in routine.
Thomas was unknowingly left in the vehicle by his father after a change in routine.
Thomas was unknowingly left in the vehicle by his father after a change in routine.
Rosalie Estevez
Rosalie Estevez
Mother | 2017
Mother | 2017
Rosalie gained access to the vehicle when the family had fallen asleep from exhaustion.
Rosalie gained access to the vehicle when the family had fallen asleep from exhaustion.
Rosalie gained access to the vehicle when the family had fallen asleep from exhaustion.
RJ Pryer
RJ Pryer
Mother | 2018
Mother | 2018
RJ was left for hours in the Discover Me Academy daycare van after a field trip.
RJ was left for hours in the Discover Me Academy daycare van after a field trip.
RJ was left for hours in the Discover Me Academy daycare van after a field trip.
Insights.
Collected from 13 surveys, and additional secondary research.
Collected from 13 surveys, and additional secondary research.
Collected from 13 surveys, and additional secondary research.
Only the newest cars have child reminder technology.
Only the newest cars have child reminder technology.
Only the newest cars have child reminder technology.
Most parents believe they would never forget their child.
Most parents believe they would never forget their child.
Most parents believe they would never forget their child.
Parents believe a device attached to the car seat would be more effective.
Parents believe a device attached to the car seat would be more effective.
Parents believe a device attached to the car seat would be more effective.
Anti child-abandonment devices are proven effective in Italy.
Anti child-abandonment devices are proven effective in Italy.
Anti child-abandonment devices are proven effective in Italy.
Problem.
How can we best remind and alert parents to check for their children in the backseat?
How can we best remind and alert parents to check for their children in the backseat?
Opportunity.
A safety device that partners accessibility, durability, and reliability.
A safety device that partners accessibility, durability, and reliability.
On the Market.
From minimal to high tech, parents want moderate technology that will be reliable. Existing solutions are too utilitarian in appearance, which may deter parents from usage.
From minimal to high tech, parents want moderate technology that will be reliable. Existing solutions are too utilitarian in appearance, which may deter parents from usage.
From minimal to high tech, parents want moderate technology that will be reliable. Existing solutions are too utilitarian in appearance, which may deter parents from usage.
Trend Characteristics.
Rounded "blob" forms for children's products. Usage of natural materials (wood) and muted colors for safe and eco-friendly interaction. Neutrals cater to safer children play, and millennials' environmental conscious shift
Rounded "blob" forms for children's products. Usage of natural materials (wood) and muted colors for safe and eco-friendly interaction. Neutrals cater to safer children play, and millennials' environmental conscious shift
Rounded "blob" forms for children's products. Usage of natural materials (wood) and muted colors for safe and eco-friendly interaction. Neutrals cater to safer children play, and millennials' environmental conscious shift
Moodboard.
friendly. natural. simple.
For my design language, I wanted it to be friendly through color and form. It should be easy to activate as to ensure parents use it, and if a child accidentally traps them self in the car.
For my design language, I wanted it to be friendly through color and form. It should be easy to activate as to ensure parents use it, and if a child accidentally traps them self in the car.
Ideation.
The form must be understandable for children and easy to activate for parents (as not to forget). It's also important that the device work on all stages of car seat, from harness to booster.
The form must be understandable for children and easy to activate for parents (as not to forget). It's also important that the device work on all stages of car seat, from harness to booster.
In Use.
Buckle in, activate, and hit the road.
Park, and safely enjoy the day.
Phase 1
Once a finished trip is detected, a notification reminder will activate. If you leave the car range without device deactivation, another notification will be sent out.
Once a finished trip is detected, a notification reminder will activate. If you leave the car range without device deactivation, another notification will be sent out.
Phase 2
If you have been out of range without device deactivation for 2 minutes, a call will be made to your phone.
If you have been out of range without device deactivation for 2 minutes, a call will be made to your phone.
Phase 3
If you have been out of range without device deactivation for 5 minutes, an alert text message will be sent out to your designated contacts.
If you have been out of range without device deactivation for 5 minutes, an alert text message will be sent out to your designated contacts.
Setup and manage your device within the Tutum app. Add contacts and multiple devices for your children.
Setup and manage your device within the Tutum app. Add contacts and multiple devices for your children.
Setup and manage your device within the Tutum app. Add contacts and multiple devices for your children.
CMF.
Silicone Soft Touch Coating
Gloss Finished Polypropylene
Clear Polycarbonate Light Indicator
Satin Finished Polypropylene
Silicone Soft Touch Coating
Gloss Finished Polypropylene
Clear Polycarbonate Light Indicator
Satin Finished Polypropylene
Silicone Soft Touch Coating
Gloss Finished Polypropylene
Clear Polycarbonate Light Indicator
Satin Finished Polypropylene
Bamboo Veneer
CR2032 Coin-Cell Battery
5mm Flathead Screws
ABS Seat Belt Clip
Bamboo Veneer
CR2032 Coin-Cell Battery
5mm Flathead Screws
ABS Seat Belt Clip
Bamboo Veneer
CR2032 Coin-Cell Battery
5mm Flathead Screws
ABS Seat Belt Clip
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