Tesla Asks FCC To Approve In-Vehicle Radar System That Could Detect Children Left In Dangerously Hot Cars

What Happened

The automaker’s short-range interactive motion-sensing device uses unlicensed millimeter-wave sensors, which work at higher power levels than currently allowed, according to Reuters.

The Elon Musk-led company claims that the device based on radar technology has advantages over other systems including camera-based ones as it can perceive depth.

The system can “differentiate between a child and an object left on the seat, reducing the likelihood of false alarms,” Tesla stated. The company says the device can also detect micromovements like breathing patterns and heart rates.

Additionally, radar imaging can supposedly assess body size to optimize airbag deployment in the event of a crash.

Why It Matters

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="52 children died as a result of being left in hot cars in 2019, while 18 have died so far this year,&nbsp;according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.” data-reactid=”30″>52 children died as a result of being left in hot cars in 2019, while 18 have died so far this year, according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The FCC has invited public comments on Tesla’s request through Sept. 21, Reuters noted.

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="The California-based automaker reportedly told the FCC that the latter approved a similar request from Alphabet Inc’s (NASDAQ: GOOGL) (NASDAQ: GOOG) subsidiary Google related to a device that operates identically.” data-reactid=”32″>The California-based automaker reportedly told the FCC that the latter approved a similar request from Alphabet Inc’s (NASDAQ: GOOGL) (NASDAQ: GOOG) subsidiary Google related to a device that operates identically.

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Automotive supplier Valeo SA’s (OTC: VLEEF) North America unit approached the FCC for its monitoring device that also detects children left in cars.” data-reactid=”33″>Automotive supplier Valeo SA’s (OTC: VLEEF) North America unit approached the FCC for its monitoring device that also detects children left in cars.

Price Action

Tesla shares closed nearly 6.6% higher at $2,001.83 on Thursday and rose almost 0.4% in the after-hours session.

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="See more from Benzinga” data-reactid=”36″>See more from Benzinga

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="© 2020 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.” data-reactid=”41″>© 2020 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.