Motor vehicle crashes remains one of the leading causes of injury and death in children across the world. The single largest challenge facing child passenger safety worldwide is the problem of children travelling unprotected, without a child restraint. Traditional child restraints are designed to stay in the car, whereas more and more children are travelling in different cars be it in carpools and to and from school; with grandparents or in taxis and rental cars.
After the global success of the original mifold grab-and-go backless booster seat, Carfoldio (mifold) instructed JMDA to design a light-weight, compact and portable child restraint that was convenient to move with the child, rather than staying in the car, and importantly, complies with all CRS and industry regulation.
One of the most respected Design Awards in the world, the International Design Awards (IDA) exist to recognise, celebrate and promote design visionaries and to uncover emerging talent. The IDA’s Product Design of the Year Award recognises the efforts of talented design teams who create practical solutions to solve a problem and make life easier for the consumer. Under the ‘Children’s Products’ category for product design, JMDA’s innovative highback booster design was awarded a Gold Award in 2018. The team were praised by the judging panel for their ‘smart idea’ and considerations of modern lifestyle, transportation trends and child safety.
The design for mifold has eight advanced impact-protection zones. Ultra-light weight EPP provides superior impact resistance, and a dense energy absorbing EVA layer adds further protection. Comfort of the child is of upmost importance which is why PU foam and AirFlow™ washable fabrics were also used in the design. The patented hifold mechanism of adjustable belt guides holds the seatbelt down to fit the child; allowing a product with a far smaller formfactor.
hifold radically disrupts the established design of high-back boosters by providing an advanced, compact and portable solution; in line with the changing need of consumers, that is just as safe. The highback booster seat folds into a very small form; one-third the size of a regular high-back booster and weighing less than 4kg. It has been designed to offer a smooth and seamless user experience, while still offering the same protection, safety and comfort for the child. hifold is also the most adjustable high-back booster ever designed, so that it can provide the same protection and comfort for the child as they grow; from 15kg all the way up to 36kg, to the height of 150cm and the age of 12-years old.
"After the global success of the original mifold grab-and-go backless booster seat, we wanted to bring the same compact portability to the highback booster category. Derrick and JMDA understood our dreams and vision and applied their design skills, industry experience and expertise to create hifold. They truly deserve this honour for an industry-changing design that will further improve child passenger safety.”
Jon Sumroy - Inventor and CEO, mifold
JMDA is proud that products we designed have received
recognition with industry and category awards.