Engineering researchers at the University of Alabama are introducing a solution to prevent children and pets from dying while being trapped inside a hot car.
The patent-pending device monitors carbon dioxide levels from human breath, temperature and car movement and can send an alert to a cell phone when the human or animal inside a parked vehicle are getting too hot.
UA students developed the device using a concept from Dr. Timothy A. Haskew, department head and UA professor of electrical and computer engineering.
“Kids are dying every year, and one is too many,” Haskew said in a news release. “This is a technology that could save lives right now.”
Haskew’s background, which includes the study of detecting harmful levels of carbon monoxide in gas-powered electric generators for the Consumer Product Safety Commission, has allowed him to ensure that this device works properly.
“In this case, the presence of the gas allows us to detect someone and save their life,” Haskew added.
According to data compiled by noheatstroke.org, a total of 791 children have died due to pediatric vehicular heatstrokes since 1998 — 48 of those being in 2018 alone. 2010 saw the highest number of children dying in hot vehicles with 49 deaths that year.
There are devices currently on the market that can detect the weight in a car seat and alert the driver, however, Haskew believes more can be done.
“I wanted to be able to tell there is something alive in the car while it isn’t running,” he said. “Everything that lives breathes, and everything that breathes emits CO2.”
@RealKyleMorris is a Yellowhammer News contributor and also contributes weekly to The Daily Caller
Don’t miss out! Subscribe today to have Alabama’s leading headlines delivered to your inbox.