Tesla is seeking the approval of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to release a short-range interactive motion-sensing device, which the company sees could be helpful in detecting children left in hot cars, a report said.
The California-based automaker is looking to use unlicensed millimeter-wave sensors for the technology. These sensors have the ability to operate at higher power levels that are beyond what’s currently allowed by law.
The device will reportedly use a total of seven antennas—four for transmitting and three for receiving—driven by a radar front-end unit.
According to Tesla, millimeter-wave radar technology is the better sensing system compared to camera-based and in-seat occupant detection types because it “provides depth perception and can ‘see’ through soft materials, such as a blanket covering a child in a child restraint.”
Moreover, the radar-sensing system “can differentiate between a child and an object left on the seat, reducing the likelihood of false alarms.” It can also detect “micro-movements like breathing patterns and heart rates, neither of which can be captured by cameras or in-seat sensors alone.”
The technology also has the ability to assess the body size of a passenger (whether an adult or child) in order to optimize air bag deployment during a crash, making it more effective than the weight-based, in-seat sensor systems currently equipped in vehicles. Plus, it can accurately determine when it is necessary to engage seat belt reminders.
The FCC has opened Tesla’s request for public comment until September 21 before coming up with a final decision.
In 2018, a request for a similar device was filed by Google through its parent company Alphabet, Inc., which the commission granted.
Based on the latest data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 50 children died after being left in hot cars in both 2019 and 2018. Of the total number of incidents, 54% was because the child was forgotten inside the vehicle.
Keep Reading: Related Posts
Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.
