The issue of children or pets being trapped in cars and left by parents is something that happens, and in very serious cases can cause children to die because they are left for too long due to thirst, lack of oxygen or too hot temperatures.
The Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research or MIROS has today announced that they have developed a prototype detection and warning system for children trapped in vehicles called the MIROS Children in Vehicle Tracking and Alerting System or MyCINTA.
This detection system works with a combination of motion scanners, sound, GPS and LED matrix panels to detect individual movements and sounds in the vehicle when the engine is turned off and the doors are locked.
When the MyCINTA system is activated, a warning SMS will be sent to the vehicle owner with details such as the GPS location that can be connected to Google Maps, while the same system will be able to lower the vehicle window to allow ventilation into the vehicle to take place, and at the same time a warning will be displayed on the LED panel at the back of the vehicle.
MIROS has tested this MyCinta system in a real environment scenario and has shown its functional validity using the Technology Readiness Level assessment and obtained a TRL 7 readiness level.
The effectiveness of this system includes the sending of SMS and also the location of Google Maps accurately, in addition to showing the effectiveness of the scanner in the car that helps in lowering the car window within 45 seconds after the MyCinta system is activated, and a warning is emitted through the built-in panel after 3 minutes.
Director General of MIROS, Ts. Ir. Azhar Hamzah said "We are very grateful and honored to announce the development of a prototype MyCINTA system that has great potential to help save the lives of children trapped in vehicles. We hope that industry players and other stakeholders can support us in taking MyCINTA innovation to the next level.”