Veleria San Giorgio has been working in the field of maritime safety equipment and rescue systems for over a century. Kanguro is the world's first lifejacket specifically designed for parents carrying babies or very young children. During rescue operations in the Mediterranean, rescuers are regularly confronted with situations in which conventional buoyancy aids are not suitable for babies or newborns.
Developed for the most vulnerable people
More than 50 million life jackets are produced worldwide every year - for adults and older children, but not for parents holding a newborn baby. Kanguro is the world's first infant life jacket that can hold parent and child together. The project brings together universities, designers and students to tackle an issue that is rarely addressed in the boating industry: the survival of very young children at sea accompanied by their parents.
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The device is designed to keep the two people in a stable position when they are in the water and reduce the risk of separation in rough seas - a common phenomenon during improvised evacuations or when overcrowded boats capsize. In turning the concept into an operational device, the project team drew on the experience of Veleria San Giorgio. The manufacturer was involved in the prototype development and functional tests for the lifejacket. The main focus was on buoyancy, stability and the behaviour of the device in rough sea conditions.
Exhibition at the ADI Design Museum Milan
The project was presented in Milan as part of the XXIX edition of the Compasso d'Oro. Kanguro is currently on display at the ADI Design Museum in Milan as part of the Compasso d'Oro ADI exhibition. The system is now moving from the testing phase to production and is due to be launched on the market next year. It could therefore also be relevant as a safety solution for sailors with babies on board.
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Hauke Schmidt
Test & Technology editor
