Futuristic cot may reduce deaths

Students at Coventry University have developed a cot which automatically rocks babies to sleep and controls their temperature.

It is thought the "intelligent cot", which also allows parents to monitor their babies from another room, could help reduce cases of cot death.

The four students came up with the idea as part of their final year project.

They decided the basic design and function of the cot was in need of a revamp.

Sensory toys

Research for the project included interviews with nursery nurses, midwives and parents which highlighted fears among new mums and dads of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

The students felt that because overheating is believed to be one of the main causes of SIDS, temperature control should be a core feature.

Additional features include sensory development toys, a bottle warmer and a mattress that can raise up and down to make it easier for the parent to change the baby or for women who have had a caesarean operation and find it difficult to bend or lift.

Student Paul Byass, who was part of the design group, explained: "Our brief was to re-design a domestic product and everyone in the group agreed that a baby's cot hasn't evolved in a number of years and was in need of a revamp.

"We recognised that many modern homes are now fitted with a home network system to control their lighting, heating and security and we thought it would be a great idea to design a cot which can also be linked up to this."

Colleague Adam Treen added: "The feedback has been amazing and lots of the parents are asking why this isn't on the market already and when it will be available.'

A full-size working model of the cot is currently on display at the university's annual degree show.