Innovative manufacturer is sitting in front of its rivals
Engineering company Performance Projects is looking to get ahead of its rivals with two very different innovations in the automotive sector.
The Silverstone Park-based business has redesigned the child’s car seat in a way that enables fitted child seats to slide sideways to create more space in the centre seat. The innovation is “now looks set to go into mass production”, the company said.
Performance Projects co-founder Chris Horton said: “The seat allows three passengers to use the rear seat of a car, which hasn’t been possible before with normal ISOFIX child seats. Our design enables the seat to slide sideways and lock securely into position, thereby creating more space in the middle.
“We’re now at the stage that we term ‘production intent’ – in other words, we’re confident enough from market feedback to take it to a production run to be homologated.
“By the end of 2017 there’s a very real chance our seat will have gone into mass production and be available in stores.”
Performance Projects was founded in 2010 and is based at Silverstone Park’s Innovation Centre.
The company has also been involved with the development an autonomous vehicle for a major agricultural manufacturer, which it believes has the potential to transform the industry.
Horton said: “Our bit is the mechanical design – all the bits that bolt together so chassis-engine tract, hydraulic pumps, cooling etc. We design all the hardware for assembly. ‘The tricky bit’ as we call it.”
