the Boeing Innovation in Action Grant -  "Forgotten baby syndrome"

IT'S A REAL PHENOMENON THAT HAS YET TO BE SOLVED EFFECTIVELY.  BACKSEAT, REAR-FACING CARSEAT RECOMMENDATIONS HAVE REDUCED AIRBAG DEATHS IN CHILDREN BUT LED TO AN ALL-NEW CONCERN FOR BUSY PARENTS AS THEY CANNOT SEE OR HEAR A SLEEPING CHILD, AND WHOSE BRAINS HAVE SWITCHED TO AUTO-PILOT ON THEIR WAY TO WORK.

These parents, through no fault of their own, forget their children in the car who then die due to exposure to heat.

Team: Hayley Somerville, Alex Surasky-Ysasi, Stefanie Owens, Hannah Graffeo, Melanie Swartz

WALK-A-MILE & TALK ALOUD

Focus groups

We will be conducting in-person focus groups with the Cyert Research center in the following weeks to get more parent insight on our initial product ideation.

This device, once installed, never requires a parent to perform any new tasks to help them remember their child. We propose a simpler solution than is currently on the market that can be sold as an add-on, and eventually built right into the car seat.  No wires, easy installation, long-life battery, and peace of mind.

In addition to the original technology, we are building-in additional peace-of mind to let the parents know that their child is properly docked and the seatbelt is buckled.

As this project is ongoing and some aspects are expected to be patented, please ask me more if you're interested in details! 

Logo by Melanie Swartz
Video by Hayley Somerville

After hearing so much this past summer about babies dying in car seats after being forgotten by their parents, I wanted to DO something.  I had an idea I believed could help parents to avoid ever having to go through this heartbreak. I built a team and applied to the Boeing Innovation in Action Grant.  In November 2014, we were awarded a grant to begin work on this project, and by May 2015 we had a working prototype.