As the automotive industry advances towards greater autonomy, the landscape of car travel is evolving. The integration of reclined seating within vehicles, made possible without major alterations to traditional layouts, presents a promising avenue for enhancing passenger experiences. This shift, however, comes with unique safety challenges due to the changed seating dynamics.
Research, including insights from General Motors, Volvo & Volkswagen emphasizes the need for innovative safety solutions for reclined seating. Simulations comparing three-point and four-point seat belt configurations, in both upright and reclined positions, reveal advantages for the latter at higher speeds. This configuration produces a more balanced force distribution during impacts, away from vital areas.
While the potential of a four-point restraint system is evident, implementation hurdles arise. Addressing both safety and comfort, a study assesses the user experience for both systems. Building on these insights, a convertible restraint system is proposed, seamlessly transitioning from a three-point to a four-point configuration based on passenger position. This adaptable design merges safety and comfort effectively.
The proposed design requires the redesign of certain components of the seat back & headrest. These are provided as recommendations.

As the automotive industry advances towards greater autonomy, the landscape of car travel is evolving. The integration of reclined seating within vehicles, made possible without major alterations to traditional layouts, presents a promising avenue for enhancing passenger experiences. This shift, however, comes with unique safety challenges due to the changed seating dynamics.

Research, including insights from General Motors, Volvo & Volkswagen emphasizes the need for innovative safety solutions for reclined seating. Simulations comparing three-point and four point seat belt configurations, in both upright and reclined positions, reveal advantages for the latter at higher speeds. This configuration produces a more balanced force distribution during
impacts, away from vital areas.

While the potential of a four-point restraint system is evident, implementation hurdles arise. Addressing both safety and comfort, a study assesses the user experience for both systems. Building on these insights, a convertible restraint system is proposed, seamlessly transitioning from a three-point to a four-point
configuration based on passenger position. This adaptable design merges safety and comfort effectively.

The proposed design requires redesign of certain components of the seat back & headrest. These are provided as recommendations

This project focuses on the development of a novel surgical tool designed to facilitate internal tissue closure in minimally invasive surgery, specifically targeting mesenteric defect closures during Gastric Bypass procedures.
The tool incorporates innovative staples and barbed sutures, distinct from conventional methods and existing market tools. The surgical tool features optimized staples made from biocompatible NiTinol, with dimensions of 1.5 x 5.5 x 0.5 millimetres, facilitating tissue penetration while minimizing tissue squishing. The barbed sutures, composed of PBT with dual-cut barbs in alternating tri-radial rows, provide a secure closure mechanism. The applicator, with a diameter of 9 mm and usable length of 35 cm, enables single-handed operation with right- and lefthanded use. The cartridge consists of 80 staples and 30 centimetres of barbed suture, enough to close an entire defect. The tool’s design and functionality aim to enhance the efficiency of internal tissue closure procedures, reducing time, physical exertion, and cognitive load for surgeons.
The project follows a systematic and iterative design approach, best represented by the triple diamond method. A first phase involved extensive literature and market research, exploration and observations in the operation room. In a second phase, various methods such as brainwriting and CAD design are employed to generate ideas and models. Then in a final phase, through comprehensive testing and evaluation, a first version of the device called StapleStitcher, has been established, serving as a solid foundation for future iterations.
The evaluation of the proposed surgical tool has yielded overall positive feedback from bariatric surgeons. This was conducted through a questionnaire. They recognised its innovativeness and some explicitly expressed interest in further development.
Additionally, a risk analysis was conducted to identify potential hazards associated with the use of the surgical tool. The analysis addressed factors such as mechanical failure and user-related issues. Mitigation strategies derived from the analysis and feedback from surgeons informed recommendations for further research, collaboration, and development to optimize the surgical tool for clinical implementation.
In conclusion, the development of the novel surgical tool presents an opportunity to simplify and enhance internal tissue closure procedures in minimally invasive surgery. By incorporating innovative staples and barbed sutures, the tool offers potential improvements in surgeon comfort and efficiency. However, further research, collaboration, and refinement are necessary to fully harness the StapleStitcher’s potential and ensure successful integration into clinical practice.

Almost every adult human being is drinking coffee, a caffeine rich, bitter drink to get through the day. To top up caffeine levels during a short break at work or to authentically enjoy the distinctive taste and aroma of freshly milled coffee beans. To sweeten up the coffee, milk and milk alternatives are added to counter the bitterness by adding sweetness and fluffy texture. Before the milk can be poured over the coffee it needs to be prepared, from cold storage, it needs to be heated and aerated, also known as frothing.

Quooker, a company that developed and sells a water tap, which can serve cooled, carbonated and boiling water, without any hassle. The innovative mindset from the start of the company is ever so present and is therefore looking into opportunities to broaden its kitchen portfolio.
During this project the possibilities for a new type of milk frother is explored that makes use of the existing boiling water ecosystem. Which will theoretically provide several key benefits when competing with regular milk frothers.

In the first phase of the project the coffee context is researched, and existing solutions are studied. A list of requirements are drawn up to set specifications for the novel design. The technical specifications could be easily set, however the expected coffee quality is a highly subjective topic. Even with professionals the perfect cappuccino does not exist.

With the gathered knowledge solutions that incorporate the potential benefits of the integration with the Quooker reservoir are explored. Resulting in three potential concepts that are evaluated with potential consumers. There could be concluded that certain aspects of all the concepts would form a promising combination of solutions.

The optimized concept is further developed to prove its life worthiness as a product. A high-fidelity integrated prototype was created to show the feasibility of the solutions and to gather opinions of the frothing principle, aesthetical language and interaction. Giving a head start for further future development if the need for a milk frothing addition is deemed necessary.