Lifebelt Update | Shark Tank Season 1

After losing a loved one in a car crash, Robert Allison invented the Lifebelt. This device prevents the car from starting unless the seatbelt is fastened, solving the problem of road accidents caused by unbuckled drivers. Did the sharks make a deal with Robert? Find out in our Lifebelt update and pitch recap. 

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick overview of what happened to Lifebelt after Shark Tank.

Robert entered Shark Tank in Season 1 to pitch his vehicle safety belt business, Lifebelt. He sought $500,000 for 10% equity. However, the sharks refused to invest in Lifebelt because Robert was unwilling to sell his patent, leaving the entrepreneur without a deal.

In terms of a Lifebelt update, they initially signed a major deal and experienced early success, but eventually faced challenges and has since shut down its operations.

Shark	Result
Kevin O’Leary	$500,000 for 100% equity
Robert Herjavec	$1,000,000 for 100% equity
Kevin Harrington	No offer
Daymond John	No offer
Barbara Corcoran	No offer

Shark Tank Lifebelt Pitch

• Entrepreneur: Robert Allison
• Business: Vehicle Safety / Belts
• Ask: $500,000 for 10% equity
• Result:  No deal
• Sharks: None

Driven by the tragic loss of a loved one, Robert introduced the Lifebelt, a car safety device designed to save lives, especially among teenage drivers. 

He sought an investment to scale production and secure deals with major auto manufacturers. Robert aimed to convince the sharks that Lifebelt deserved a place in their portfolio.

Lifebelt is a device that addresses the issue of unbuckled seatbelts, a leading cause of road accidents.

It integrates with a car’s ignition system, preventing the vehicle from starting unless the driver and passengers are buckled up.

Additionally, it features an alarm that sounds if a seatbelt is unbuckled while the car is in motion.

This technology targets two specific groups: teenage drivers and school bus occupants. For teenage drivers, Lifebelt counters risk-taking behavior by enforcing seatbelt use. 

The sharks wondered why Robert preferred to build a business instead of licensing his product to vehicle manufacturers.

Robert explained that he had the same thoughts but wasn’t sure if they would pursue his idea.

He mentioned that a local shop installs Lifebelt for $229, with a lower price point for those who can’t afford that.

Barbara Corcoran loved the product but didn’t see Robert selling it, so she was out. 

Kevin Harrington declined due to the valuation, and Daymond John went out for the same reason. 

Kevin O’Leary offered $500,000 for 100% of the patent, and Robert Herjavec upped the deal to $1 million for 100%.

Despite these offers, Robert decided not to sell his patent. 

The sharks wanted to know if there was any price he would sell for, but Robert declined. He wanted his brand to become a national household name installed in millions of vehicles every year. 

Robert left Shark Tank without a deal; let’s quickly get a Lifebelt update after his appearance.

Shark Tank Lifebelt Update

Shortly after appearing on Shark Tank, our Lifebelt update found that Robert secured a multi-million dollar deal with Gillman Automotive Group to install Lifebelt in millions of cars. Initially, this seemed like a promising start. 

However, Lifebelt faced challenges in sustaining momentum. The deal with Gillman Automotive didn’t yield long-term results, and the product never gained significant market traction.

By 2016, our Lifebelt update found that the website was taken down, and the product was no longer available for sale. 

At the time of writing, dealership websites do not show signs of Lifebelt, and its online presence has dwindled to a non-functional site. 

Despite Robert’s innovative vision, Lifebelt ultimately failed to achieve lasting success in the market, marking the end of the company’s journey.

It looks like this is going to be our final Lifebelt update.

For more on Shark Tank Season 1 Episode 2, be sure to check below:

• Crooked Jaw
• A Perfect Pear
• Sticky Note Holder
• Classroom Jams

Before you go, check out our Shark Tank Season 1 page for more updates.