McLaren P1 Designer Invents Babyark As "World's Safest Baby Seat"

Frank Stephenson's resume in automotive design includes work on the Ferrari F430, Maserati MC12, McLaren P1, and the revived Mini Cooper R50, among many others. He is now focusing on a completely different type of automotive-related work. His firm, Frank Stephenson Design, is responsible for the Babyark, which bills itself as the "world's safest baby seat."

This lofty safety claim is supported by high-tech materials. The Babyark has a carbon-fiber frame and a steel coil base that extends in an impact to slow the seat's forward momentum. The woodpecker's plate-like bones inspired the side-impact protection. The anti-shock polymer D30 is used in the headrest.

If a crash occurs, 14 sensors, including accelerometers and gyroscopes, alert the owner as to whether it is safe to continue using the seat. This system also informs a parent if the wheelchair is correctly installed in the vehicle. If a child is left in a car, an app alerts the owner. The Babyark can accommodate children up to 49 inches tall and weighing between 4 and 65 pounds. It can be installed either front-facing or rear-facing by parents.

If a crash occurs, 14 sensors, including accelerometers and gyroscopes, alert the owner as to whether it is safe to continue using the seat. This system also informs a parent if the wheelchair is correctly installed in the vehicle. If a child is left in a car, an app alerts the owner.

The Babyark can accommodate children up to 49 inches tall and weighing between 4 and 65 pounds. It can be installed either front-facing or rear-facing by parents.

During development, the Babyark underwent over 200 crash tests to assess the risk of head and chest injuries. Unlike most child seats, this company claims that the carbon fibre and steel materials do not degrade over time. There is a free maintenance service check 10 years after you purchase the product.

The Babyark is now available for pre-order, with deliveries set to begin on May 31, 2023. The price has been reduced to $990 (approx MYR4,480) and will rise to $1,190 (MYR5,380) once sales begin. According to the company, it fits more than 80% of vehicles, and there is a compatibility checker on the website. The child seat comes with a 100-day free trial period after purchase, during which you can return it for a refund.