Child Presence Detection warns of possible heatstroke in parked cars
"Child dies in car from overheating" – you've probably come across a tragic headline like this during the summer months. For us one thing is certain: the safety of vehicle occupants, and especially that of the youngest passengers, must be a top priority for all players in the vehicle and automotive industry. We set a good example and are constantly looking for ways to protect drivers and passengers from harm in the best possible way. With Child Presence Detection, we would now like to introduce you to a new feature from our OE division: our new NCAP (European New Car Assessment Program)-relevant safety function. Its task is to prevent heatstroke and deaths of children left unattended in parked cars. The child early detection system utilises our Smart Car Access system developed for the OE sector, which uses ultra-wideband technology (UWB) for communication purposes.
So how does Child Presence Detection work?
Cars are made of metal and synthetic or leather materials that attract heat and store it within themselves. As a result, the temperature in the passenger compartment can rise quickly and create an unsafe environment for all occupants, especially for children. Babies cannot regulate their body temperature in the same way as adults do and are therefore more susceptible to the effects of heat. Every year, children die from heatstroke in their vehicles. A situation that is unacceptable. We have therefore carried out tests with hundreds of children and trained AI with many different scenarios so that Child Presence Detection is highly reliable in the vehicle interior.
The child early detection system uses UWB anchors in the passenger compartment to identify whether children or infants have been left alone in the vehicle. Such information is based on vital signs such as breathing rate and movement patterns of the occupants. If minors are identified, parents or guardians receive an alarm on their mobile device after just a few seconds.
The UWB anchors of the Smart Car Access system already present in the vehicle can be used to implement the Child Presence Detection function. It’s so practical: no additional hardware is required; the function can be installed in the latest product generation by means of a software update. This is not only good for your wallet, but also for the environment: material, logistics and integration costs can all be significantly reduced as can CO2 emissions.
Child Presence Detection uses UWB anchors in the vehicle interior for communication.
Child Presence Detection improves the NCAP rating
For those of you who would like a quick catch-up on the Euro NCAP, let’s digress here for a moment: the European New Car Assessment Program is a consumer protection-oriented program for assessing the safety of passenger cars. It is being set up by a consortium of European transport ministries, automobile clubs, insurance associations and research institutes. In addition to "adult occupant protection", "vulnerable road users" and "assistance systems", the assessment categories also include "child safety". In order to receive the highest possible rating in the NCAP assessment, all new vehicles in Europe and the USA must have, among other features, a child protection system as standard from 2025 onwards. With its Child Presence Detection, FORVIA HELLA is now launching such a function on the market for the first time worldwide on a UWB basis.
Smart Car Access system: open sesame!
But the Smart Car Access system can do even more: thanks to the ultra-wideband, the car can be opened, closed and the engine started completely hands-free – and all that without having to pick up the smartphone. The integrated UWB technology also protects the vehicle against relay attacks, i.e. the opening of a vehicle by radio extension, thanks to the high-precision time-of-flight measurement.
And what is more, we are constantly developing the Smart Car Access system. For example, new solutions are being planned to protect against unauthorised entry into the vehicle and also new convenience functions, such as hands-free opening of the boot, are in the offing. We are also working with the Car Connectivity Consortium (CCC), a leading group of automotive and entertainment electronics manufacturers, with a view to improving vehicle access with a standardised digital key system. This alliance is itself key to driving the integration of smart vehicles and mobile technologies, with a focus on standardisation, certification and secure connectivity.
