HeatSense
HeatSense
A project to combat child deaths in hot cars
Introduction
Introduction
Many kids are unknowingly being locked inside a car and consequently dying due to heat. In 2019, a whopping 51 cases were reported! These issues occur since parents don't think that this situation would happen to them.
Many kids are unknowingly being locked inside a car and consequently dying due to heat. In 2019, a whopping 51 cases were reported! These issues occur since parents don't think that this situation would happen to them.
How Hot Can a Car Get?
How Hot Can a Car Get?
Given enough time, a vehicle's internal temperature can spike to about 172 degrees Fahrenheit. A test was conducted by Kars 4 Kids to raise awareness of leaving children in hot cars. They asked random people to sit in a parked car for about 10 minutes. They went in, confident they could sit for that long. But, as time progressed, their confidence turned into worry. Many tried to open the windows, fan themselves, etc., but to no avail. Eventually, all participants failed. If that wasn't enough, they put cookie dough on the windshield. They baked after some time. Credit: Inside Edition
Given enough time, a vehicle's internal temperature can spike to about 172 degrees Fahrenheit. A test was conducted by Kars 4 Kids to raise awareness of leaving children in hot cars. They asked random people to sit in a parked car for about 10 minutes. They went in, confident they could sit for that long. But, as time progressed, their confidence turned into worry. Many tried to open the windows, fan themselves, etc., but to no avail. Eventually, all participants failed. If that wasn't enough, they put cookie dough on the windshield. They baked after some time. Credit: Inside Edition
Current Solutions
Current Solutions
Currently, there are three different solutions: SensorSafe, General Motors Rear Seat Reminder System, and Driver's Little Helper. Although these solutions are good, there are some limitations. SensorSafe is expensive due to the booster seats. General Motors' system only works if the back door was opened and is only available in select cars like Chevrolet, Cadillac, and GMC. Driver's Little Helper takes about a minute to send a notification to the driver, which may be too late.
Currently, there are three different solutions: SensorSafe, General Motors Rear Seat Reminder System, and Driver's Little Helper. Although these solutions are good, there are some limitations. SensorSafe is expensive due to the booster seats. General Motors' system only works if the back door was opened and is only available in select cars like Chevrolet, Cadillac, and GMC. Driver's Little Helper takes about a minute to send a notification to the driver, which may be too late.
Criteria And Constraints
Criteria And Constraints
If I am going to create a device to solve this problem, this device needs to be:
Compact and portable -> Easier for drivers to place the module.
Heat resistant -> To ensure the module doesn't short out from rising heat.
Cost-effective -> To make it affordable for many people.
If I am going to create a device to solve this problem, this device needs to be:
Compact and portable -> Easier for drivers to place the module.
Heat resistant -> To ensure the module doesn't short out from rising heat.
Cost-effective -> To make it affordable for many people.
My Solution
My Solution
Click to Expand
This is the prototype I created. It uses a motion sensor and a temperature sensor to detect and measure motion and ambient temperature. After the system boots up, it checks if the temperature has gone above 25 degrees Celsius (above room temperature). If so, it then checks for motion. If motion is detected, the system plays an alarm and sends an SMS message to the connected device.
This is the prototype I created. It uses a motion sensor and a temperature sensor to detect and measure motion and ambient temperature. After the system boots up, it checks if the temperature has gone above 25 degrees Celsius (above room temperature). If so, it then checks for motion. If motion is detected, the system plays an alarm and sends an SMS message to the connected device.
List Of Parts And Assembly Videos
List Of Parts And Assembly Videos
Raspberry Pi 3 (x1)
Male to Female connectors (x6)
PIR Motion Sensor (x1) (PIR Motion Sensor: Amazon) (PIR Motion Sensor: YouTube Assembly)
DHT22 Temperature And Humidity Sensor (x1) (DHT22 Sensor: Amazon) (DHT22 Sensor: YouTube Assembly)
Breadboard (x1) (Breadboard: Amazon)
Raspberry Pi 3 (x1)
Male to Female connectors (x6)
PIR Motion Sensor (x1) (PIR Motion Sensor: Amazon) (PIR Motion Sensor: YouTube Assembly)
DHT22 Temperature And Humidity Sensor (x1) (DHT22 Sensor: Amazon) (DHT22 Sensor: YouTube Assembly)
Breadboard (x1) (Breadboard: Amazon)