Continental has enhanced its digital access system, CoSmA, by introducing a Child-Presence-Detection (CPD) feature to increase passenger safety.
According to the US National Security Council, around forty children die from heatstroke in cars in the US every year. When outdoor temperatures exceed 30 degrees Celsius, the temperatures inside the car can reach up to 45 degrees within half an hour, posing a serious danger to young children, Continental has said.
Using ultra-wideband (UWB) technology, the CPD feature incorporated into Continental’s CoSmA UWB Digital Access Solution identifies the presence of a child in the vehicle and issues a warning signal within seconds. It also helps vehicle manufacturers to meet in-cabin safety standards in advance of the forthcoming Euro NCAP safety rating and new US regulations that call for new child safety requirements in vehicles by 2025.
“We were first to market with the ultra-wideband for digital vehicle access. We are now using this technology to save lives by detecting left-behind children in a vehicle. With this approach we are also increasing value for our customers,” said Jean-Francois Tarabbia, head of the business area Architecture and Networking at Continental.
The CPD function is integrated into the existing CoSmA UWB Digital Access Solution. CoSmA allows drivers to use their smartphones as car keys for hands-free access. The UWB system operates in a reflective mode to detect changes in frequency or phase of a returned signal, enabling the system to measure distance and the velocity of moving targets, such as a child. Even the tiniest motion, such as a child’s breathing, can be detected.
Using unique respiration rates and micro-body-motions, the CPD with UWB system can classify passengers as infants, children or adults. If children are left behind, the CPD system alerts the driver through an audible, visual or haptic signal within ten seconds. The UWB system can detect infants and children in any seating position, even if they are covered by a blanket or hidden in the footwell of the cabin.
CoSmA UWB is a transformative development for traditional car keys
CoSmA, which Continental launched in 2021, introduced the digital access solution to the market. It uses ultra-wideband to digitise the car key and integrate the access function into the driver’s smartphone. The new version of CoSmA, featuring UWB technology, offers maximum convenience combined with improved security against relay attacks (man-in-the-middle), according to the company.
An advanced algorithm enables UWB transceivers to differentiate between the location of the digital key inside and outside the vehicle with centimetre-precision. This enables hands-free access and engine start without the driver needing to pick up the smartphone. Vehicle owners can create and manage multiple digital keys at the same time, rather than passing on a physical key. Generated keys can also be shared conveniently with others, according to the company.
