Child Presence Detection
Global harmonized surrogate child dummies for evaluating and verifying child presence detection systems
The Child Presence Detection (CPD) Project is at the forefront of enhancing passenger safety, particularly for the most vulnerable occupants – children. This initiative focuses on developing and integrating advanced CPD dummies to simulate the presence of children of various ages within a vehicle. The primary goal is to mitigate the risks associated with unintentional abandonment or prolonged exposure to extreme environmental conditions, which can lead to fatal heatstroke or other serious dangers.
Project Overview: Child Presence Detection (CPD) Dummies
Leaving a child unattended in a parked car can lead to heatstroke and potentially fatal consequences, especially in hot weather. Children’s vulnerability to high temperatures and their inability to leave a vehicle on their own highlight the need for effective monitoring solutions. Despite the availability of technology designed to prevent such tragedies, child deaths from heatstroke in vehicles continue.
Goals of the CPD Project
The Child Presence Detection (CPD) protocol addresses the critical issue of child hyperthermia in vehicles by developing and testing dummies that simulate children of different ages. These dummies help evaluate and reward technologies that detect the presence of a child and alert the vehicle user or third-party services. With the upcoming Euro NCAP requirements from 2023, CPD dummies will play a key role in improving vehicle safety.
Importance of CPD Dummies
The urgency of developing CPD dummies from alarming statistics and tragic incidents where children were left unattended in vehicles have suffered severe consequences. CPD dummies are designed to address these issues by:
Simulating the Presence of a Child
Utilizing a combination of sensors, including visual, infrared, and motion detectors to accurately replicate the presence of a child inside the vehicle.
Enhancing Detection Systems
Providing realistic data to improve the accuracy and reliability of CPD systems in detecting children.
Testing Automated Safety Measures
Evaluating automatic responses such as activating the vehicle’s ventilation system or unlocking doors to reduce the risk of harm.
Focus on Different Age Targets
The CPD project focuses on the prevention of heatstroke and other risks associated with children being left in vehicles by developing dummies that represent:
- Newborns
- 1-year-olds
- 3-year-olds
- 6-year-olds
Each age group dummy can simulate age-appropriate activities, such as movement, breathing, and other behaviors, from preemies to 6-year-olds.
Alert and Warning Requirements
Scenarios
Scenario 1 and 2
If a child is in the vehicle and the vehicle is locked, an initial warning must occur immediately outside the vehicle. A delay of up to 15 seconds is permissible to assess occupancy. Status notifications inside the vehicle are allowed but not required.
Scenario 3
If a child gains access to the vehicle and the doors are not locked, a warning may be delayed for up to 10 minutes after the door is closed.
Warning
- The warning must consist of at least an audible or visual signal and may also include haptic signals.
- It must come from either the vehicle or the key (e.g., keycard) and be perceivable by individuals in the immediate vicinity of the vehicle.
- The warning must be distinct from normal locking signals and must last at least 3 seconds or until canceled.
In summary, there are specific requirements for warning systems in vehicles to ensure that unattended children are detected and warned in a timely manner.
Research and Development
The CPD project has made significant strides in developing and testing these dummies. Key milestones include:
- Consortium Building: Establish a consortium with all relevant stakeholders.
- Data Evaluation: Evaluate real data, including sensor data and movement patterns.
- Comprehensive Literature Review: Conduct an extensive literature review of medical technology publications.
- Measurement Workshops: Organize measurement workshops and develop a set of dummies to be distributed worldwide.
- Standarization Work: Description of relevant dummy properties in a comprehensive document as a basis for international standards.
- Human Factors and Technology Integration: All relevant technologies and their integration with human factors, including:
- Realistic Breathing Simulation: Simulates breathing movements to enhance detection accuracy
- Real-Skin-Tissue-Technology: Ensures no unintended radar interference
- Radar Signature Simulation: Provides accurate radar feedback to detect the presence of children
- Infrared and Camera Response: Skin materials with realistic response to infrared and camera detection systems
- Customizable Movement Patterns: Simulates various child behaviors and postures, such as waking up, light sleep, and deep sleep