A new technology developed by Nidec Mobility and the University of Waterloo could save the lives of babies, toddlers and pets.
An in-vehicle radar system is currently in development as part of a collaboration between the Japanese technology company and Canadian university, and it aims to detect potentially-forgotten youngsters or furry friends to avert tragedy.
Each year thousands of children and pets die in hot cars around the world - it's such a problem that the European New Car Assessment Program (Euro NCAP) and Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) will both require so-called "Child Presence Detection" for the maximum safety score from 2022 onwards.
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The technology uses a radar mounted on the ceiling to detect movement.
The University of Waterloo was involved in the development of motion sensors for the Google Pixel 4 phone, and this vehicular version of the motion-sensing system is set to use a ceiling-mounted radar that will be good for up to three rows of seats.
An in-vehicle camera is set to be part of the suite, too, and if a child or pet is detected the linked safety tech could sound the car's alarm "or send out frequent reminders to the driver outside the vehicle", or possibly adjust the car's air-conditioning.
Nidec predicts the tech will be rolled out in time to meet the 2022 requirements for the safety bodies.
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Matt Campbell
Managing Editor - Head of Video
Matt Campbell has been at the forefront of automotive media for more than a decade, working not only on car reviews and news, but also helping manage automotive outputs across print, online, video and audio.
After completing his media degree at Macquarie University, Matt was an intern at a major news organisation as part of the motoring team, where he honed his skills in the online automotive reviews and news space. He did such a good job there they put him on full time, and since then he has worked across different automotive media outlets, before starting with CarsGuide in October 2017.
At CarsGuide Matt has helped shape the video output of the business, while also playing a key role in management behind the scenes, and helping in-market new car buyers make the right choice by continually evolving CarsGuide's comparison reviews. Driving more than 100 cars a year seemed like a dream to Matt when he first started out, but now it's all just part of the job - a job he loves and plans to stay in for a long time to come.
Matt is also an expert in used car values, as he's always on the hunt for a bargain - be it a project beater or a prime example of the breed. He currently owns a 2001 Audi TT quattro and a 2007 Suzuki Jimny JLX.
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