Automobile manufacturers now provide a wealth of comfort and safety features in today's cars to make driving almost a stress-free experience. Stress-free within the car, that is, not what may happen outside in traffic. With multispeaker audio systems, fully programmable seats, backup cameras, automatic parallel parking, hands-free phone service, collision-avoidance systems, and GPS, drivers and passengers are immersed in a cocoon of high-class luxury and convenience.However, not taken into account with all of these systems is the current health of the driver. Is the driver experiencing the first signs of a heart attack, lightheadedness from a diabetic condition, or an asthma attack because of high levels of pollen in the area? Obviously, it's important to get help or take the appropriate medications to alleviate the condition. Of course, the driver may not be fully aware of what's happening physically, and that's where Ford Motor Company is directing R&D into the early detection of a heart attack.Ford's European Research Centre in Aachen, Germany, in collaboration with Rheinisch-Westfalische Technis-che Hochschule, Aachen University, has developed a prototype vehicle seat that can monitor the driver's heart rate. Attached to the back of the seat are six sensitive sensors to detect heart rate, even through clothing. The sensors are the result of work done at the university to provide noninvasive monitoring of a baby's heart. The system can detect irregularities in heart rate, precursors to a possible heart attack, allowing the motorist to seek medical attention. Ford has reported very accurate heart-rate readings for drivers who took part in early testing of the system.
展开▼
