Technology to Prevent Child Deaths in Hot Cars
The recent death of a one-year-old girl in Sydney, left in a car outside a childcare center, has renewed calls for the implementation of technology designed to prevent such tragedies.
Police were called to the scene at Earlwood after the child was found, having been left in the car for “”an extended period of time”” on Tuesday afternoon when temperatures approached 30C. This tragic event has brought into sharp focus the potential of in-car occupant detection systems to save young lives.
Many new electric vehicles (EVs) are now equipped with in-car occupant detection systems, similar to home security setups, that can activate alarms if passengers, or even pets, are left inside. The systems can then activate air conditioning to maintain a safe cabin temperature.
Upcoming models will be able to contact a call center, which can then alert emergency services. This technology can also prompt the driver via smartphone apps to return to their vehicle and can even honk the horn and flash the lights to draw attention to the car.
BYD’s Dolphin electric car 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 it to run the air conditioning efficiently without relying on a petrol engine, eliminating the production of excess heat and potentially harmful exhaust emissions. This feature is available in a vehicle that, at the time, retailed for around $32,000 drive-away.
Volvo’s EX90, which is now reaching showrooms, is another vehicle that incorporates advanced safety features. The all-electric SUV is designed to be one of the world’s safest cars, with precise radar sensors in the roof that can detect the subtle movements of a breathing person or animal.
According to Volvo, every time the car is locked, the interior radar system activates and assesses whether the car is empty of people or pets. If a family member or pet is detected, the car will remain unlocked and display a reminder on the center console screen. Additionally, the climate control system can remain on to improve the comfort of any occupants. This system helps reduce the risk of hypothermia or heatstroke.
Volvo spokesperson Lotta Jakobsson stated, “No one chooses to be distracted or tired, but we know it can happen. We’re all human and distraction is a fact of life. With the help of cutting-edge technology, we’ll support you when you’re not at your best and help you avoid leaving family members or pets behind by accident.”
The Volvo EX90 is available now, with prices starting from $124,900, plus on-road costs.
Kidsafe Australia reports that approximately 5,000 children are locked in cars annually. In an interview with News Corp Australia in 2022, Christine Erskine, CEO of Kidsafe NSW, noted that the emerging technology is “amazing,” reflecting that it would take time for this technology to become standard in the majority of vehicles on the road.
Another important safety tip is to keep valuable items, like purses, keys, or briefcases, in the back seat to ensure that drivers always check the back before leaving the car. This simple step can prevent tragedies and protect children.
