Detecting pets and children in hot cars

Author: EIS Release Date: Feb 26, 2020

The University of Waterloo and Nidec Mobility aim to have a proof-of-concept prototype for detecting children and pets stuck in hot cars, ready in early 2020.

 

Nidec Mobility intends to start mass-production of a radar sensor for the application in 2022.

 

By combining the radar sensor with an in-vehicle camera, it becomes possible to distinguish infants or pets unable to leave the car on their own. 

 

Detecting the presence of them, the system can increase the alarm volume or send out frequent reminders to the driver outside the vehicle along with the vehicle interior temperature, counteracting carelessness and memory lapses3 which are major causes of accidents related to children and pets being left behind in hot cars.