There hasn’t really been any innovation in keeping kids safe in cars with respect to their car seats in years. Most all car seats are the same and serve the same function. A new car seat is available for pre-order now that protects children from side impact collisions.

The car seat is called the Air Protect from Safety 1st. The car seat releases air into the head protection area that protects the child’s head from a hard impact in a side collision. The company says that the air tech creates a slower, softer landing for kids.

Forget the fact that this thing looks like it’s designed to comfortably seat your helpless child and then snap it’s jaws shut while it digests your little tot, it’s actually designed with the safety of your child in mind. Designer, Aldo Barreto, a student from Ontario Canada, designed this modern baby car seat for a competition held by Samsonite.

He wanted to design a child transportation vessel that is more convenient. The ‘Tot Pod’ has a built-in child restraint system, carrying handle and even a storage compartment in the back, and drop down wheels to convert it from a car seat to a stroller. When not in use, it’s just an ominous looking clam shell.