Technology companies are racing to prevent more children from dying in hot vehicles

Electronics developers and other technology companies in Japan are working quickly to develop systems that could help prevent the worst summer incidents of children being left behind in dangerously hot cars.

Cybernetek, based in Nogata, Fukuoka Prefecture, is an electronics developer that is developing a system that can detect when a child is left behind, as was the case last summer in the nearby city of Nakama. The old boy died of heatstroke after being left alone on a daycare bus.

The prototype has a built-in sensor that detects whether anyone is in the bus or driver’s seat, monitors the temperature inside the vehicle, and detects movement. Cybernetic began demonstrating its “left-back detection system” in kindergartens in Nogata late last year.

This photo taken in October 2021 shows children at a daycare center in Chiba Prefecture wearing wristwatch-style devices that help daycare workers track their whereabouts. (Photo courtesy of Highfliers) (Kyodo)

The nursery can access a computer program to assess the situation in the vehicle, information is transmitted wirelessly. If a child gets on the bus and the “call switch” is pressed, an alarm will sound through the computer to alert nursery staff of the situation.

41-year-old company management Ryo Sasaoka said, “Even for institutions that are busy in kindergartens, they can regularly check the situation on the bus, they have to think in advance how to save the abandoned child immediately.” Director.

Proponents of introducing such technology at daycare centers and kindergartens, which constantly struggle to find enough staff, believe it will go some way to preventing another tragedy.

Since last fall, Keitos, which is run by High Flyers in Chiba, near Tokyo, has been testing a wristwatch-style device from the Topan printing company, following a system developed to manage factory workers. Not only can it be effectively used to track a child’s location, but it also tracks biometrics such as wearable heart rate and blood pressure along with other physical health indicators.

In the year A photo taken in June 2022 in Nogata, Fukuoka Prefecture shows Cybernetek managing director Ryo Sasaoka holding a “left behind detection system” being developed by the company. (kyodo)

Ariho Hamano said, “The best thing is that if a nursery worker notices (the change), we have developed a system that is not limited to humans and we reduce the risk of accidents even a little bit.” 28, a representative of Hyphiers.

While he understands the important role such technology plays, a father in his 30s whose son Ketos attends said, “How the biometric information is handled is very important.”

Companies abroad have introduced systems that detect whether a child has been left on a school bus or in a car. Tokyo-based Sanyo Trading Co. is preparing to supply the Japanese market with sensors developed by European companies that can be installed on buses.

In the year This photo taken in October 2021 shows a watch-like device worn by a child at a daycare center in Chiba Prefecture to help daycare workers monitor their whereabouts, such as whether a child is left behind on a school bus or other vehicle. (Photo courtesy of Highfliers) (Kyodo)

Professor Masako Maeda, an expert on kindergarten monitoring systems at Kobe Konan University, said that although expectations are high that technology can reduce accidents, there is no silver bullet.

First of all, it is necessary to understand what dangers exist on the site.

He added that kindergarten workers should be trained to prevent accidents and help them get more time to interact with children. “IT should be used to handle paperwork and other miscellaneous tasks” so the burden on childcare workers is eased.