Sensor could save kids’ lives
Two Florida dads have come up with a monitoring device that can prevent children and babies from being left in hot vehicles.
Sense-A-Life is a Bluetooth-connected device with seat sensors that can be installed within 30 seconds.
The device sends out signals based on the sensors. One is located on the driver’s seat, the other on the child’s seat. When the driver gets out of the vehicle, a mobile push alert will ask the driver to remove the child from their seat. If there’s no response within a few minutes, an alert will be sent out to the second parent or alternative caregiver.
“We wanted our device to be simple, practical and 100-per-cent effective,” CEO Fadi Shamma told the Toronto Star. “In the future we would like to open doors into the auto industry as well as car-seat manufacturers to have this automatically included in all cars or car seats and provide all parents and caregivers the peace of mind that’s much needed in a distraction-filled world.”
Sense-A-Life will launch a Kickstarter campaign in April with hopes of being able to get its retail price under $100 (U.S.). Ford prepares to launch app and mobility ecosystem Gone are the days when automakers focused on cars themselves. Need proof? All you need to do is take a stroll through Ford’s booth at the New York International Auto Show to see that connectivity and mobility is at the core of its future, with at least five different counters designed to teach you about the latest digital trends.
Set to launch this month, FordPass is a new mobility platform that’s not just a new app, but a whole ecosystem that can take care of your mobility needs.
The Blue Oval is calling FordPass a one-stop mobility marketplace that can provide live and accurate traffic reports before you venture out, start/stop and lock/unlock a vehicle remotely, and assist with not only the physical act of parking but finding that elusive parking spot.
Ford hopes that this one-stop shop can transform the way people go about their everyday lives. Halton road closed for the sake of salamanders For the fifth year in a row, the City of Burlington is closing King Road from the base of the Niagara Escarpment to Mountain Brow Road.
This closure isn’t for any construction, but for the safe passage of Jefferson Salamanders during their annual breeding migration.
Burlington plays a big role in protecting this endangered species due to the city’s abundance of forested areas and temporary ponds.
During a three-week span, the salamander migrates from underground living quarters to breed in ponds, laying their eggs in underwater vegetation.
The closure ends April 6. Second-gen Porsche Panamera set to debut in Paris The Panamera may be one of the least-popular Porsche vehicles, but it’s a technological marvel that’s going to see production of a second generation model.
According to Automotive News Europe, company sources have confirmed that the next-generation Panamera will be unveiled at the 2016 Paris Auto Show in late September.
The Panamera will use the Volkswagen MSB modular platform that is more lightweight and fuel-efficient.
The styling has yet to be confirmed, but a shooting brake variant in more of a station wagon format was mentioned. Jaguar is going green with upcoming XJ Jaguar is looking to the future by planning to turn its full-size flagship sedan into a plug-in hybrid.
First reported by Autocar, the upcoming next-generation Jaguar XJ due in 2019 will receive a V6 hybrid/electric powertrain, as well as autonomous capabilities. We will first get to see this new vehicle in concept form a year prior to its production unveiling.
On top of its hybrid transformation, the next XJ will be built with a mix of aluminum and carbon-fibre materials to cut its weight. It should also contain more safety technology.
As the longest-running nameplate for the British brand since 1968, it’s nice to see the XJ name continue by reinventing itself with a futuristic outlook. Freelance writer David Miller is a regular contributor to Toronto Star Wheels. To reach him, email wheels@thestar.ca and put his name in the subject line.