BPN978: Hot Car Studies: Preventing Child Vehicular Heatstroke

Abstract: 

Young children trapped in a car without adult supervision may suffer life-threatening complications such as hyperthermia and heat stroke from extreme temperatures—which may rise to 130 °F in some cases. Our research aims to ascertain child presence within two to three minutes of unsupervised activity by probing increases in the levels of carbon dioxide emitted during human exhalation. Non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) sensors are employed to measure car carbon dioxide concentrations every two seconds. Specific numerical metrics are then derived from the data, and the presence of a child can be predicted with a simple logistic regression algorithm. Models for CO2 increase and CO2 diffusion are used to supplement and confirm trends during our data acquisition. Preliminary data analysis is in progress to evaluate the accuracy and feasibility of this NDIR-enabled method. 

Project currently funded by: Industry Sponsor

Author: 
Publication date: 
February 1, 2024
Publication type: 
BSAC Project Materials (Current)
Citation: 
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