Technology to Prevent Tragic Deaths of Children in Hot Cars Gains Momentum
The recent death of a one-year-old girl in Sydney, who was left in a car outside a childcare center, has underscored the urgent need for technology that can prevent such tragedies. As temperatures in the area reached almost 30C on Tuesday afternoon, the child was discovered after an extended period of time.
Car manufacturers are now racing to implement new technologies, similar to home security systems, that can detect occupants – including children and pets – left inside vehicles and trigger alarms to alert the driver and others.
These in-car occupant detection systems, already available in some new electric vehicle models, may include features that can activate the car’s air conditioning to maintain a safe cabin temperature, contact the driver through a smartphone app, honk the horn, or flash lights to draw attention to the vehicle. Some upcoming models will even be able to contact a call center that can dispatch police or paramedics to the scene.
BYD’s Dolphin electric car, for example, was the first vehicle on Australian roads to integrate child presence detection with climate control when it went on sale in 2023. The car’s large electric battery allows the air conditioning to run safely without the need for a petrol engine, which produces excess heat and potentially harmful exhaust emissions.
This technology is particularly impressive in a car priced at approximately $32,000 drive-away, offering significant safety features at a relatively accessible price point.
At the other end of the price spectrum, Volvo’s EX90, which is now arriving in showrooms, promises to be one of the safest cars available, with precise radar sensors in the roof of the car. These sensors can detect the subtle movements of a breathing person or animal. Volvo states that every time the car is locked, “the interior radar system is activated and determines whether your car is empty of any people or pets, before it allows the car to be locked.”
Child Presence Detection is a standard feature in the BYD Dolphin. The system works by displaying a reminder on the center console screen to check the cabin for occupants if a family member of pet is detected inside. The car’s climate system can remain on if people or animals are in the cabin, helping to improve comfort and lower the risks associated with hypothermia and heatstroke.
Volvo spokeswoman Lotta Jakobsson acknowledged that distraction and fatigue are unavoidable realities, and that the technology is designed to support drivers and prevent them from accidentally leaving family members or pets inside their vehicles. The Volvo EX90 is currently on sale with a price starting at $124,900 plus on-road costs.
Kidsafe Australia reports that approximately 5,000 children are locked in cars each year. In 2022, Christine Erskine, chief executive of Kidsafe NSW, told News Corp Australia that although the emerging technology is “amazing,” it would take time for it to become standard in the majority of cars on the road.
Erskine also highlighted inequalities in access to the technology, noting that younger drivers and those from various socio-economic groups may not have access to it. She emphasized the importance of retaining other safety strategies, such as placing items like purses or keys in the back seat, as a way to remind drivers to check the rear of the car.
While technological advancements offer a promising solution to this critical safety issue, vigilance and preventative measures remain crucial until this technology becomes universally available.
