Imagined over the breakfast table one morning in Donegal…
The idea
The idea for this invention came from the breakfast table. After identifying a major problem with existing road safety marking, the McGeehin’s we conceived an innovative solution.
Eóin and Ronan McGeehin entered the idea into the BT Young Scientist exhibition (Dublin). They won the “Best Prototype” .
Invention explanation
Water expands by 9% when it freezes. We use this to our advantage. We have created a device in a cat’s eye that appears on when the temperature is freezing (0’C or below). A lens will appear over the eyes coming from below the road surface level. When the water inside the device freezes, because of the expansion it will activate a lever system that will pull the lens above road surface level and when it thaws, it will disappear back underground again.
Improving driver safety
Driving in icy conditions can be especially hazardous. Although it’s not always easy to determine the primary cause of an accident, the statistics for weather conditions provide a compelling story with 11% of all accidents happening in icy or snowy conditions.
Help with our research
Take our motorist survey using the button on the right,.
If you are a member of a road safety organisation or commissioning body interested in running a pilot study then please get in touch with us to discuss your project details.
We are equally interested in talking with existing manufacturers of reflective road markings to discuss licensing opportunities.
Meet The Team
Brian McGeehin
Brian is a versatile Engineer with Prince 2 Practitioner certification. Brian is a hands-on project manager who maintains excellent communication with teams and customers. He has strong organisational and record keeping skills. He is keen to turn an idea on a Cat's eye enhancement into a reality.
Eóin McGeehin
Eóin entered the BT young scientist and Technology exhibition with this idea with his brother Ronan in 2013. Eóin is an Electrical And Electronic Masters Engineer Graduate from Queens University, Belfast. Eóin is in charge of research in the company.
Ryan Fenton
Dr Ryan Fenton is the MD of Belfast Product Design. He has 14 years of experience in developing new products. In short, he helped take this idea all the way from a concept idea to a complete manufactured product in our customers hands.
Primary Expertise: Product Design and Development Secondary Expertise: Project Management
Ronan McGeehin
Ronan, along with his brother Eóin was successful in the BT Young Scientist and Technology exhibition in 2013 with this idea. Together, they won 1st place in their category and also won the award for best prototype. Ronan is currently studying Computing Technologies in Ulster University.
