Ford Developes a Car Seat That Can Detect a Driver Having a Heart Attack..

[csv8]

"A CAR seat which detects when a driver is having heart attack and is able to take control to bring the vehicle to a safe stop has been developed by Ford.

The seat incorporates electrocardiograph technology and has been developed as the car industry seeks ways to maximise profits at a time when the number of wealthy over-65s is growing rapidly.

It is expected, once it does into full production, to appeal a generation that is determined to hang on to its car keys for as long as physically possible in retirement.

Ford and other car makers are increasingly aware that the time may not be far away when a 100-year-old driver is unexceptional and recognise that heart attacks and other medical conditions are likely to be a rising cause of accidents.

"We observe mega trends, and we observe what customers want and what they will spend their money on," Pim van der Jagt, managing director of the Ford Research Centre, told the Financial Times. "One hundred-year-olds driving cars will not be abnormal in the future."

Ford is yet to announce when the car seat will be made available but Mr van der Jagt said that it could take less than five years to put it into full production.

When the prototype was first unveiled Dr Achim Lindner, of the Ford Research Centre, said: "The system will be able to detect if someone is having a cardiovascular issue, for example a heart attack, and could also be used to detect the symptoms of other conditions such as high blood pressure or electrolyte imbalances. This not only benefits the driver; but also could make the roads safer for all users."

How it works:

Six electronic sensors have been embedded in the car seat and operate in tandem with an in-car camera to detect when a driver is having a heart attack.

The electrocardiograph sensors track the heart's electrical pulses and can detect when they become irregular. The camera picks up on the driver's position and can tell when he or she has slumped at an unusual angle.

Once the heart attack has been identified, automated steering and braking systems are activated.

The seat can also be programmed to send an emergency call from the driver's mobile phone."
http://www.themorningbulletin.com.au...art-a/2426160/

[Franco Cozzo]

You don't need to be 100 years old to suffer ye olde' heart attack unfortunately.

But a quiet lol for 100 year old drivers though, haven't seen too many on the roads, or 100 year old people to be honest.

[MAGPIE]

No mention of the defibrillator in the steering wheel that fires probes into your chest and then shocks you when your motoring cardiac arrest occurs

I would have thought focusing on build quality would be more beneficial.

[FoxtrotGolfXray 5.0]

Be interesting to see how this system would work on a 100km/hr freeway or a European autobahn. Sure the car may take action to stop and pull over, but will it be able to do so safely?

Craig H

[Bluehoon]

Now they've got the heart attacks sorted, just integrate Sync2 to preorder at the maccas drive through...

[Guzz226]

Originally Posted by psychobimbo

Be interesting to see how this system would work on a 100km/hr freeway or a European autobahn. Sure the car may take action to stop and pull over, but will it be able to do so safely?

Craig H

Wouldnt it be more safer than an out of control 100km/h+ car?

[commodorenutt]

A better method might be to remove the causes of "heart attacks" and butt-clench moments off the road - that would cut down the number of accidents dramatically.

[Guzz226]

People have heart attacks in all sorts of circumstances and often at the least opportune time - not sure there ever is a good or right time for a heart attack.

How would you remove them from the road exactly?

[FoxtrotGolfXray 5.0]

Originally Posted by Guzz226

Wouldnt it be more safer than an out of control 100km/h+ car?

Sure. But what I was getting at is that the purpose of the system appears to be to reduce the risk of both death and injury as a result of a driver having a heart attack. Having the system operate in heavy, high-speed traffic conditions may not actually achieve that outcome?

Craig H

[mik]

have to give ford points for thinking outside the box, will it translate into sales ?
I suppose when this is up and running you will be able to monitor blood pressure and electro cardio graph on the touch screen,
just think wifey will be able to look at your heart beat and ask you tricky questions ........ lie detector anyone???????

"Oh darling that $4000 bucks we spent on the car to help it's fuel economy last month....... that blower thingy. ...... you weren't lying to me where you"? ????
heart rate monitor suddenly speeds up : ).

[CoupeKing]

Well I`m screwed. This new gadget would activate everytime I see a GT, a hot chick or KFC stuff up and put extra food in my order.

[commodorenutt]

Originally Posted by Guzz226

People have heart attacks in all sorts of circumstances and often at the least opportune time - not sure there ever is a good or right time for a heart attack.

How would you remove them from the road exactly?

I'm talking about the stupid actions of others on the road - hence the inverted commas around "heart attack"

[Itsme]

Originally Posted by MAGPIE

No mention of the defibrillator in the steering wheel that fires probes into your chest and then shocks you when your motoring cardiac arrest occurs

I would have thought focusing on build quality would be more beneficial.

You had me worried for a second, I thought you were going to say the steering wheel fires a needle in your heart injecting adrenalin.