The ChildMinder Infant-Toddler Elite Pad System from Baby Alert International is designed to do exactly what you think it does: it tells parents that they forgot about the baby in the car. Again. You place the pressure-sensitive pad underneath the cushion of the child safety seat. This works much like the airbag sensor for the passenger seat in a car. Then, you have a wireless key ring that will sound an alarm if it gets more than 15 feet away from the pad. Pick up the baby from his or her seat and the alarm is de-activated. The system costs $69.95.

Somehow, this reminds me of the episode of Friends where Joey and Chandler are taking care of Ben for the day and they forget about the baby on the bus. I wonder if Baby Alert International will come up with a similar solution for public transit.

[Source]

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If you thought being covered in case of car accidents by the frontal, roof and rear window airbags, General Motors has got something new that will roll out in 2013 on some selected vehicles; the front center airbag.

What could it possibly be good for, you ask. Well, apparently it will protect you from… your passenger. GM’s studies show that in case of side impact crashes you will probably bump your head against your right seat passenger. So not only will the new airbag protect the both of you, but it will also come in handy if you’re alone in the car as it will keep you in your seat and, thus, protect you from other potential injuries.

The GM officials motivate the new implemented airbag by the significant number of fatalities that occur in side impact crashes.The Buick Enclave, GMC Arcadia and Chevrolet Traverse will come equipped with said center airbag.

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The information was published in a recent study released by the Institute, a research branch of the American insurance industry, which shows the stop light cameras led to 17 percent fewer fatal crashes per capita at intersections using the cameras.

The study comes on the heels of last fall’s decision in Houston, Texas to end their use, and a statement from one Virginia lawmaker who’s looking to ban the cameras. Automatic intersection cameras have been faced with a lot of opposition, with some claiming they’re a cash-grab for a lazy police force and an invasion of privacy.

The Institute analysed traffic and collision data from the 99 largest cities in the country over two time periods: ’92 to ’96 for pre-camera data, and ’04 to ’08 for post-camera numbers. They then compared the rate of collisions in cities with cameras to those without.

Consensus seems to come down to the concept that drivers in cities with intersection cameras tend to drive more cautiously, leading to fewer overall collisions, both fatal and non-fatal.

What’s news to me is that there are so many people out there who haven’t just accepted these cameras as part of modern life. If you’re in a public place, piloting thousands of pounds of steel and gallons upon gallons of explosive liquids at speed in the midst of pedestrians and buildings, you can’t expect anyone in a legal position of authority to allow you to make stupid choices. And you definitely can’t expect anyone else to care at all when you’ve run over their babies at an intersection because your own self-imposed hurry was more important than the collective safety of the traffic light system.

That’s just selfish. </sarcasm>

[Wired]

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Primarily designed for safety, like Police Officers, Paramedics, commuters and bicycle delivery people. But don’t tell that to the fashionistas or they may shy away from the new cool looking lights. Cyglo will be manufacturing tires with LED lights for BMX, mountain bikes and other styles. We’re not sure when, but stay tuned for more flashing lights.

Cyglo [Urban Velo]

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2011 Ford Explorer to debut Curve Control stabilization technology

The 2011 Ford Explorer is taking one step closer to the future of precision handling by implementing Curve Control, a new technology that is anticipated to be available in over 90 percent of Ford vehicles within 5 years. Swinging too quickly while taking a ramp is something we’ve all done at one time or another, but what we may not be aware of is how likely it is to result in more than a close call. Within the United States alone, this common mistake is responsible for over 50,000 accidents a year. Curve Control is designed to sense when a turn is being taken too quickly and compensates by reducing vehicle speed anywhere from 1-10mph within a second.

Curve Control is an extension of RSC, or Roll Stability Control, and incorporates sensors into the measuring of such factors as roll, lateral acceleration, wheel speed, yaw and steering wheel angle. Over 100 calculations are potentially made every second to determine if the vehicle is not turning as much as the driver is steering the wheel. Should this undesirable scenario arise, the system accurately reduces engine torque and applies four-wheel braking to assist the driver in regaining control of his or her turn.

Sue Cischke, Ford’s VP of Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering notes “Too many accidents stem from drivers misjudging their speed going into curves and freeway off- and on-ramps. Ford’s Curve Control technology senses a potentially dangerous situation and reduces power and applies brakes more quickly than most drivers can react on their own.”

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