A Rallying Safety Device designed for Rally New Zealand to disperse and absorb impact on the driver in high intensity crashes.
Concept | Research | Innovation
Rallying is the godfather
of extreme.
“Rally drivers race on closed-off public roads. They run against the clock, one car at a time, on dirt, pavement, and anything in between. They run in all weather, in virtually every country on the planet. The sport is a glorious, lovely thing, all noise and violence and sliding sideways between trees at 100 mph. There is real, palpable risk and skill on display.”
When things go wrong,
there are big time consequences...
Goal:
Create a new system to better absorb and disperse impact on the driver in these high intensity crashes?
Core focus areas
Loose harness
Drivers sometimes cannot get the harness tight enough and can result in even greater chance of injury. They also have no impact absorbing qualities to help absorb impact.
Spreading the impact
The entire impact of the crash is distributed on the two shoulder straps, how could lessen I the impact on the driver without breaking FIA regulations.
Experimenting with various ideas ranging from soft to hard good solutions.
Focused on distributing the load more effectively over the torso area, while staying within FIA regulations.
Idea development
Testing: DIY Impact Simulator
To attempt to understand what kind of forces these drivers might experience in a crash, I created a makeshift "Crash Simulator".
The Device was essentially a ramp with a hard stop, where I sat (many times) locked into a car seat that I had installed a 6 point Harness into to.
Inspired by the native Maori's aesthetic and the overall organic essence of New Zealand, Taris tries to emulate the feelings evoked in the traditional Haka dance, preparing for battle.
A design language unique to New Zealand:
How to unbuckle:
In the case of an emergency, Taris is able to detach all buckles with one swift motion to allow for a quick and easy exit from the vehicle.
When the cam lever is pulled down a central mechanical vein running up the middle of the device allows the top buckles to detach simultaneously.
Impact absorption:
Koroyd
+Micro-lightweight
+ Breathable
+ Superior impact absorption
Structure:
Flame tech CP7-D
Double layered (Flame retardant polypropylene)
+ Ultra strong
+ Lightweight
+ Non-toxic off-gases
+ FIA approved
Breathability:
Kevlar Gnomex mesh
+Flame resistant
+ Increased airflow
+ Abrasion resistant