Press release —
Global experts gather in Sweden to address critical gaps in child traffic safety
For the second time, Swedish child safety pioneer Axkid is bringing together international experts from research, healthcare and industry for the Child and Safety Conference at World of Volvo in Gothenburg on June 11. The conference centers on how to strengthen child traffic safety globally – and why current safety standards are still far from sufficient.
The Child and Safety Conference is a key part of Axkid’s long-term mission to drive global advancements in child travel safety – spanning from academic research and product innovation to regulatory frameworks and behavioral shifts. A central theme throughout the day is the critical importance of rear-facing travel, an area where Sweden has long been a world leader, but where global adoption still lags behind science and recommendations.
The international program features prominent voices from safety organizations and research institutes worldwide. Key presentations include real-life accident data from Maria Klingegård at Folksam, as well as advanced crash insights from Francisco José Lopez Valdés at Mobolus Lab.
– Sweden has a unique historical heritage in child car seat safety, and for us, this conference is about building on that legacy. By sharing knowledge across borders and bridging the gaps between research and industry, we can co-create a safer future for children on the roads worldwide, says Anton Wall, Vice President and Commercial Director at Axkid.
A Swedish case study: redefining ambulance safety for infants
As a concrete example of the practical innovation being highlighted at the conference, a unique Swedish pilot project in emergency healthcare will be presented. The collaborative project – between the innovation arena Picta, Axkid, the Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute (VTI), and paramedic Andreas Ericson – addresses a long-overlooked safety vulnerability: how infants are secured during emergency ambulance transports.
At the conference, Andreas Ericson, the initiator of the project, will showcase and demonstrate a newly developed stretcher insert prototype designed specifically for transporting children aged zero to three in ambulances.
– It is a significant road safety risk when we operate under emergency lights with a child who is insecurely harnessed. While emergency vehicles are exempt from many standard traffic regulations, it must never happen at the expense of a child’s life, says Andreas Ericson.
The new solution aims to combine life-saving medical care with high crash-safety protection for the child during transport. The prototype will be demonstrated live during the event.
For Axkid, the ambulance initiative demonstrates how deep expertise in crash safety and rear-facing dynamics can be applied to new environments to protect vulnerable passengers.
– We are proud to serve as a catalyst for cross-disciplinary innovation, especially when medical expertise and crash-safety engineering come together to solve real-world challenges. Our goal with the conference is to unite research, healthcare, and industry to push for stricter global safety regulations – ensuring safe journeys for children worldwide, says Daniel Johansson, CEO of Axkid.
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About Axkid
Axkid is a leading innovator in child car seats, focused on promoting rear-facing travel for enhanced safety. Founded in 2009 and built on the Swedish heritage of safety, innovation, and design, Axkid currently makes roads safer across Europe and North America, as well as parts of Asia, Africa, Oceania, and South America. The products are sold via retailers and through the company's own e-commerce. By educating on road safety and offering the ultimate protection and comfort for young adventurers, Axkid provides peace of mind for parents around the world. Read more at https://axkid.com/
About Child and Safety Conference
The Child and Safety Conference is an international gathering that brings together experts from research, healthcare, regulatory authorities, and industry to discuss and advance child road safety. The conference is hosted by Axkid, and this year’s edition will take place on June 11, 2026, at World of Volvo in Gothenburg, Sweden.
