Cyclist Safety, Personal Equipment, Road Safety, Safety and Security
Make cyclists safer on the road
© Ploughshare Innovations Ltd 2025. Registered in England and Wales No. 04401901
Current dog harnesses or restraints for the car cannot guarantee the safety of animals and their owners in car accidents. Too often, this equipment does not stay secure during accidents or emergency stops – risking death or severe injury for the dog, and as a result, for the driver and front passenger as well. A new innovation has overcome this danger: a smart travel system that ensures the fully safe restraint of pets at all times – removing risk for all involved.
Inadequate, poorly fitted, or faulty car harnesses and restraints for dogs are far too common, putting the lives of both pets and owners at risk. During emergency stops or accidents, the force of a dog suddenly accelerating forward can break the animal free from conventional harnesses or restraints that rely on a seatbelt – risking death or serious injury for the dog. This can also risk injury, or a worse car accident, for the driver and other passengers if the driver becomes distracted or is even hit by a dog that was supposed to be safely and comfortably secured behind them.
It was critical for this lack of safety to be addressed and overcome to ensure a higher standard of protection for both animals and people in cars and other moving vehicles.
The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), have developed, tested, and validated a smart travel lead that ensures the dog remains secured where it should be, even in accidents or during emergency stops. It removes the risk of the dog breaking free of its equipment when propelled forward at a high force, significantly reducing the risk of death or serious injury for the dog, and increasing the safety for all passengers within the vehicle.
The smart travel lead is elegant and quick to assemble – comprising of a tether, an energy absorber (which reduces the speed and momentum of the dog being thrown forward to hold the dog in place and reduce injury risk), an attachment point, and a standard harness. It provides better protection than a seatbelt by withstanding a larger force without failing, and offers a more convenient option than travel crates, especially if multiple vehicles are used in the transportation of the dog.
The smart travel lead can be used to safely and securely transport both pet dogs and working dogs. It can also be used to transport livestock and other animals.
Guarantee the safety and protection of animals and people in cars and other vehicles. Even during accidents and emergency stops, the smart travel lead will de-escalate the force and momentum the animal is propelled forward by, enabling it to stay secured in its place and away from the driver and other passengers or other animals. This removes the risk of injury, or even death, caused by the animal breaking free of its restraint or harness when thrown forward at speed on the road.
When travelling by plane, it is not uncommon for there to be times when quick stops or turbulence can force an animal forward at speed. In the cargo hold, an animal’s travelling cage or crate is secured, but the animal inside often is not. Ensuring the animal is held securely in place by this innovative safety equipment can help to ensure it will arrive at its destination safely and without serious injury, reducing distress to both the animal and owner.
If you would like to discuss this technology or collaboration opportunities with our team, please get in touch below.
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© Ploughshare Innovations Ltd 2025. Registered in England and Wales No. 04401901