Designers at MIT and Advanced Research Apparel have created a wearable anti-assault tool for women that fends off would-be attackers with an 80,000-volt electric shock. The No-Contact Jacket is described as "exo-electric armor," and looks like an ordinary women's jacket. Makes a crackling electric sound when it goes off. WIRED News story snip:
"An inner layer of conductive fiber carries a low-amp charge that delivers a nasty but non-lethal shock to anyone who messes with its wearer.
Unlike weapons and sprays, the jacket can't be grabbed from a woman and used against her. And it's not as lethal as a gun. 'We initially thought the idea was a little extreme,' said Whiton. 'But we got a lot of positive feedback. It defends, it protects and it gives confidence to women. By encasing the whole body in this electric fence, it forms a barrier that people just shouldn't enter into.'
No "do they make thongs?" jokes, please. Link, Discuss, (Thanks, Matt Watson!)
