The Problem:
There's a growing need for advanced safety systems designed to prevent harm to individuals and pets left unintentionally locked inside vehicles. Such situations can arise from simple oversight, with the potential consequences being dire, especially under extreme temperature conditions. Current commonly used safety measures tend to be reactive rather than preventative, with several incidents reported every year of pets or children suffering in parked cars. There is an evident problem with these traditional methods, which often require direct visual identification of trapped occupants or rely on the memory and responsibility of drivers.
The Solution:
Researchers at The University of Alabama have developed a vehicle occupant detection system, able to identify the presence of any living creature within the car (human or animal). The system can generate and communicate alerts to people in the car's vicinity or relayed to other vehicle systems to further broaden its alert range. The primary purpose of this detection system is to prevent undue injury or fatality to beings that may find themselves inadvertently trapped within a parked car, unable to escape. When implementing, this system has adaptability and versatility; it can be integrated directly into new vehicles during manufacture, embedded within the vehicle's safety features. Alternatively, it can be used as a separate device with any existing vehicle, plugged into a vehicle's power outlet, offering a flexible, portable solution.
Benefits: