UAIPD # 15-0023

Vehicle Occupant Detection

and Warning Device

Inventor: Tim Haskew

Current Problems

• No passive technology exists in this market

• False positives exist with active technology

currently used in infant car seats

• Current technology is fairly inexpensive • (Ex. $45 www.babyalert.info/childminder-elite-pad-single-

system.html)

• This technology is a retrofit device to save children and pets that become unattended in vehicles.

• The device measures the CO2 levels within the vehicle based on typical expected exhaling quantities for children and small animals. The device simply plugs into existing DC power supplies in the vehicle.

Technology

Technology

• The technology also utilizes temperature sensors in order to detect the presence of living life.

• Accelerometers and power detection sensors will detect whether the vehicle is parked.

• Once a parked vehicle is detected, a warning is sent when CO2 levels and temperatures reach a certain level.

• Device could trigger alarms, windows to open, doors to unlock, and send alert to vehicle owners cellular device.

• Protects children and pets using passive technology– CO2 levels

– Temperature

• Does not rely on active sensors in car seats– In 2012 study, NHTSA found current products

inconsistent and unreliable (http://www.nhtsa.gov)

• Can be retrofit or installed in new vehicles

• Child safety is always a concern

• No vehicle safety devices for pets currently exist

Advantages

• Tim Haskew

• Professor and Department Head

• Electrical & Computer Engineering

• thaskew@eng.ua.edu

• 205-348-6351

Inventor

Office for Technology Transfer

2704 8th street

Tuscaloosa, AL 35401

UAIPD # 15-0023

OTT@UA.edu

www.OTT.UA.edu