BagooTM combines the functions of a baby carrier, bag and blanket. It changes into a bag for family events as well as providing privacy for intimate interaction, and offers carers of babies the independence and confidence for child safety on the move.
In Britain alone 700,000 babies were born last year. Moving babies around the city is a common mobility problem for many families in developed countries such as the UK. Among the many issues faced, safety and intimacy with babies in public spaces is essential.
Inspired by a baby-sitting experience with a three-month old baby, this project started with the fundamental question of how to move babies from one place to another without waking them up. The question was extended to include the carers of the babies who need to maintain mobility in busy urban surroundings. Based on these two issues, the project focused on developing a multi-functional blanket-like product that can be used both indoors and outdoors, to enhance urban mobility whilst travelling with babies.
The user interaction phase involved both users: the carers and babies. After working with babies of different ages, user response confirmed that the design concept could benefit both. For the baby inside the 'blanket', the structure provides support for the whole body and head, and holds the child firmly for sleeping. For the carers who need to carry the babies around, convenience of using the blanket without assistance was tested and proved successful.
A more complicated version of the BagooTM was developed to use in outdoors and outside the home. It functions as a bag for accessories and transforms into a changing mat. The bag opens into a changing mat, allowing users to maintain an active life-style without compromising the intimacy of child and parent. Two versions of BagooTM have been developed using different types of materials. The indoor version is made entirely of soft fabrics (wool, felt, lycra and fleece) and is washable. The outdoor version is made of mixed materials: the exterior being constructed in leather or other waterproof materials, with a removable, washable fleece lining.
