The monocoque chassis construction used to protect Formula 1 race car drivers in the event of a crash has been extended to the protection of newborn infants.

The Williams Group in Oxfordshire, U.K., one of the world’s leading Formula 1 teams, has designed and manufactured the Babypod 20 in collaboration with Advanced Healthcare Technology. The safety-focused solution is engineered for inter/intra-hospital transport of neonates and provides a lightweight and cost-effective option for when a full transport incubator is not required.

The hi-tech carbon fiber transport device, featuring a thin carbon monocoque shell, can withstand a 20 G-force The Babypod 20 uses the same technology, materials and design features that protect Formula 1 race car drivers from injury during a crash. Image credit: Williams Advanced Engineering Limitedcrash. The Babypod 20 has been launched in intensive care ambulances used at Great Ormond Street Hospital and is run by the Children Acute Transport Service, who also advised on design requirements.

Transporting newborns requires a safe, secure and temperature-regulated environment, which has previously required the use of cumbersome incubators. These devices not only require an electricity supply, which is not always readily available, but also dedicated vehicles costing health services more.

The Babypod 20 provides the environment that a baby needs at a significantly reduced price from the standard transport incubator. The device can attach to any transport stretcher whether on a trolley or in an ambulance, car or even helicopter.