Students lead way in cutting accidents

The inventors, students on Bolton's Auto Product Design Course, have just been awarded a £5,300 grant to develop the "De-Fence" -- a light, portable screen which could be erected quickly by the emergency services at the scene of an accident.

As well as preventing further crashes caused by "rubber-neckers" staring at the scene while driving, the screen would afford the victims privacy.

It is the second time this year that the institute has attracted funding to progress an innovative new product.

Since they won £5,000 in February work has continued on developing the Armadillo, a secure, covered parking device for bicycles which can be easily situated in towns and cities, encouraging more workers and shoppers to cycle.

A full scale prototype has been produced, which even attracted the attention of Olympic cyclist Jason Queally when it was temporarily erected outside Manchester Town Hall, and the Institute is currently in talks with two manufacturers about the possibility of putting it into production next year. "We have proved there is a strong demand for it," said course leader Brian Pederson.

The ideas being worked on at the institute have led to its involvement with Channel Four film makers from the documentary programme Equinox.

They are producing a film about the problems young inventors have in getting their designs put into practice and have spent time with the students while they worked on the Armadillo and the De-Fence.

The programme is due to be broadcast early next year.

In the meantime the students developing the De-Fence, David Elliott, Dominic Harris, Scott Hardie and Greg Downey are delighted to have been awarded £5,300 from the Audi Foundation to create a prototype.

"We are currently investigating materials and believe it needs to be able to be fully erected in five or six minutes," said Mr Pederson.

"We have had preliminary discussions with the police and they think it is a great idea."