Robotics students at a university in Mexico have come up with a James Bond-style gadget to ward off would-be thieves and attackers – an anti-harassment jacket that can give off a hair-raising 90-volt electric shock.

Designed as a protection device rather than a weapon, the electrifying apparel is the work of researchers at the Technological Institute and Higher Education of Monterrey (ITESM).

The largely cotton jacket weighs just 400 grams (14oz), according to local media, and has enough power to emit a small electric current.

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The item was made with women and sexual assault victims in mind, who by pressing a concealed button on the jacket can give a harasser enough of a shock for the victim to escape and find help. At the moment the jacket, which the manufacturers hope will retail at around US$50, has electric shock pads located only on the arms.



However, other garments could be on the way, including pants and dresses, reported Mexico’s La Neta Noticias.

According to a study carried out by Mexico’s National Institute of Statistics and Geography, 96 percent of the women who took part in their survey said they had experienced some form of harassment in the country’s capital.

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Images of the novel invention have appeared online, showing a small battery pack and button concealed within the clothing, designed for buzzing away unsolicited attention or unwanted strangers.

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