Human-Powered, Illuminated Runner's Vest; How the Lack of a 50th Percentile Female Crash Dummy Affects Female Drivers

In order to harness pedestrian mechanical energy from motion and provide better safety for users, a self-powered light-up jogging vest has been designed and manufactured. This vest consists of the fabric itself, two linear generators (these convert movement into electrical energy), and four LED strips lining the fabric. Since the vest relies on linear generators for power, there is no need for a battery, and the vest, unless broken, can be used indefinitely simply by swapping out LED’s if they burn out.
In the STS analysis, Actor Network Theory is utilized to evaluate the relationships and inherent power dynamics between car manufacturers, crash dummies, and car occupants of both sexes. Background research, case studies, and expert interviews are incorporated to shed light on the difference that sex makes on car occupant response in crashes as well as the relationship between manufacturers, safety testing, and legal requirements. This paper will provide urgent information for female car occupants and drivers to raise awareness regarding differential protection between males and females in cars and what can be done to rectify this.

School of Engineering and Applied Science
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering
Technical Advisor: Michael Momot
STS Advisor: Bryn Seabrook
Technical Team Members: Katarina Catallo, Kyle Peter, Trevor Cook, Jacob Fishman, Garrett Hanrahan