What is it?
Tak: a sound created when the seat belt is buckled. Takıl: a hip Turkish slang word meaning “chill out”. The project formed by putting these words together means a lot more than these. Tak Takıl is a project for a safety belt that can be worn by passengers traveling standing up which would enable individuals with neurological or musculoskeletal disorders to travel more safely. The belt, which was designed for individuals having balance or gripping difficulties due to prolonged standing, is, in fact, suitable for use by anyone.
Why?
Upon discovering the difficulties in transportation experienced by their friends with MS, the team designed a belt that would enable one to travel while standing without holding on to anything, by consulting first their friends and then physiotherapists and rehab patients. According to the feedback they received, people don’t want products which portray them as sick. Based on this feedback, the team chose to design a belt which could be used by anyone, rather than designing a dedicated section on the bus for the sick. With the help of this, public transportation can be comfortable and safe for everyone. The project contributes to an inclusive city life by supporting independent living. Tak Takıl, which can be integrated into the public transportation of Istanbul in the near future, aims to help everyone access urban services in a fair way.