Safe Link

What it does

Safe Link is a humanitarian aid box that transforms into a helmet, providing physical protection and emotional comfort to war refugees through simple, tool-free assembly using paper and wire.

Your inspiration

As the Russia–Ukraine war and conflicts around the world escalate, refugees wander through temporary shelters, left exposed and unprotected under falling debris, cold rain, or the blazing sun. We found inspiration in nature from beetles, whose hard elytra open and close like hinges to protect their delicate bodies. Based on this idea, we created V-cuts in corrugated cardboard and designed a wiring system to guide the folds into the desired insect-inspired structure. With a single pull of the cord, which then snap into a sturdy helmet shape within seconds, forming a solid structure.

How it works

This emergency relief box is designed for use in conflict zones, where displaced people receive aid supplies. Once the contents are removed, the box itself transforms into a helmet. This is made possible through pre-designed V-cut fold lines and internal wiring that allow the structure to collapse and re-form into a rigid, wearable shape. The user pulls a cord integrated into the box, which activates the folding mechanism. The transformation is mechanical and intuitive, designed for rapid deployment in high-stress environments. The helmet provides basic head protection and serves as a psychological buffer in unsafe conditions. Materials were selected for strength, lightness, and recyclability. The entire system is flat-packed for transport, easy to assemble, and cost-efficient to produce. The goal is to integrate safety into the supply chain itself - turning packaging into a secondary protective device without adding extra burden to logistics or the end user.

Design process

Our core development direction was to create a structure that maintains the integrity of the box while allowing it to transform easily and securely into a helmet. This required balancing durability and storage capacity with practical protection. First, the key consideration was preserving the box’s ability to store and transport large amounts of relief supplies effectively. The box had to withstand stacking and handling without losing strength. We focused on maintaining the box’s structure and strength, ensuring all materials could fully transform into a sturdy, stable helmet. To do this, we based our design on a polygonal helmet shape and optimized the box’s flat pattern to fold naturally into the helmet form. This allowed the box to serve dual purposes without compromise. Second, we prioritized making the box-to-helmet transformation simple and intuitive. In emergencies, ease of use is vital. So, we incorporated a wiring mechanism that lets the paper fold smoothly when a wire or string is pulled. This design requires no tools or complicated steps, enabling anyone to quickly and securely form a helmet for protection. Our goal was to create a multi functional aid combining efficient logistics with immediate personal safety in one innovative design.

How it is different

Safe Link redefines humanitarian packaging. Unlike standard aid boxes that are discarded, it turns into a wearable helmet offering physical protection and emotional comfort. While most relief systems focus only on contents, Safe Link makes the packaging part of the aid. It meets a critical but overlooked need: restoring dignity and a sense of safety. Some explore reusable or eco-friendly materials, but few make packaging itself life saving. Safe Link is unique in its dual purpose and simplicity made from low cost paper and wire, requiring no tools or instructions, and easy to mass-produce and distribute. This makes it practical in urgent crisis zones. By blending emotional design with function, Safe Link becomes more than aid. It is something to wear, use, and feel providing not just protection, but a symbol that someone cares, and that the recipient is still connected to the world.

Future plans

Moving forward, we aim to collaborate with NGOs and humanitarian organizations to refine packaging, distribution, and user education systems, ensuring Safe Link can be deployed efficiently in real-world disaster zones. Our goal is to integrate Safe Link into official emergency relief kits distributed by international agencies, enabling immediate and meaningful impact. In parallel, we plan to establish scalable production and logistics infrastructure for cost effective mass manufacturing. This will ensure global accessibility and readiness for crises where physical protection and emotional reassurance are urgently needed.

Awards