REACTIV CYCLING JACKET WINS DYSON DESIGN AWARD

Michael Chen has won the James Dyson (the vacuum guy) International Design Award for his Reactiv cycle jacket. The American inventor was inspired by a need for safety when cycling on the streets and the jacket does that by changing colors as the cyclist brakes. An accelerometer senses movement and LEDs change color from green when accelerating to red when slowing down. LEDs in the arms flash caution signals when the wearer lifts his or her arm to signal a turn.

Chen told the BBC, “I cycled round London in the dark wearing my first prototype. It was a £10 waterproof jacket with LEDs stuck on by gaffer tape….For the first time, I noticed that cars passed me more slowly, gave me more room, and that the drivers and passengers were even making eye contact.”

Chen won £6,000 ($11,760 U.S.D.) for his design.

Cycling Jacket Wins Design Award [BBC]