Continental Develops Child-Presence Detection Technology Aimed at Reducing Child Fatalities

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., June 7, 2023. Technology company Continental has expanded its digital access system CoSmA with the addition of a potentially lifesaving Child-Presence-Detection (CPD) function. When outdoor temperatures reach 80 degrees Fahrenheit, in-car temperatures can reach over 110 degrees within half an hour. This has the potential to be life-threatening for young children left behind in vehicles, as researched by University of Georgia. Consequently, nearly 40 children a year in the U.S. die from heat stroke in vehicles according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Continental’s Child-Presence Detection function uses ultra-wideband (UWB) technology to prevent such tragedies in the future. The technology detects a child left alone in the vehicle cabin and sends out a warning within seconds. The CPD function also addresses vehicle manufacturers’ needs to meet in-cabin safety targets in anticipation of the upcoming Euro NCAP safety rating and U.S. regulations, which are striving for new child safety requirements in the vehicle by 2025.

“We were first to market with the ultra-wideband for digital vehicle access. Now we can utilize this same technology to potentially save children’s lives by detecting if they were left behind in a vehicle. An innovative product that began with convenience now has lifesaving capabilities,” said David Muscat, Segment Chief Engineer, Architecture and Networking Business Area, Continental North America.

The CPD function is seamlessly embedded into the already existing CoSmA UWB Digital Access Solution, which enables drivers to use their smart phone or device as a car key for hands-free access. To detect children that are left behind, the UWB system works in a “reflective-mode.” This means it receives its own transmitted UWB signals back from micro-motions of an object. By detecting a change in frequency or phase of a returned signal, distance and velocity of the moving object can be measured. Even the tiniest motion, such as the movement of a child’s chest while breathing, can be detected by the sensors.

Based on unique respiration rates and micro-body-movements, the CPD with UWB system can classify passengers as infants, children, or adults. If infants or children are left behind in the car, the CPD system can send an audible, visual, or haptic alert to the driver in as little as ten seconds. The technology is also able to detect infants and children in any seating position, even if they are covered by a blanket or hidden in a cabin footwell.

The use of CoSmA UWB transceivers, not only for access solutions but also for CPD, makes additional hardware redundant and allows for overall system cost savings and simplification. As a pioneering solution, CoSmA continues to enhance and innovate user experience in vehicles of the digital age.