New Mazda cars will warn driver, stop vehicle if it detects health problem

Japanese automobile company Mazda said that by 2025, the Mazda cars will be able to detect a sudden health problem the driver may encounter and warn them about it. This addition comes to the cars that already know how to park themselves, warn drowsy drivers, steer back into the right lanes and propose map routes to destinations.

But how will the car be able to detect if the driver may experience a stroke or a heart attack?

This involves data from cameras present inside the car. This means that the more obtrusive technologies such as laser sensors will be censored. This service will also be offered in affordable models, not just luxury vehicles. The technology holds promise for one of the most advanced aging societies in the world.

Mazda told reporters recently it has been working with medical experts. These include experts from the Tsukuba University Hospital. Both parties are researching the collected image data to figure out what a healthy driver looks like as compared to an unhealthy one. For example, the one who suddenly slouches over the wheel.

The car, once recognising the problem, will come to a stop in a safe spot as quickly as possible. This technology has drawn inspiration from the co-pilot concept.

Once coming to a stop, the car will honk continuously, with blinker and hazard lights flashing, according to Mazda. However, the exact warning signals are still undecided.

An emergency call to the ambulance and police will also get relayed.

Other major automakers, including Volkswagen of Germany and Japanese rival Toyota Motor Corp., are working on similar technology.

Mazda plans to offer the technology in Europe after Japan. According to Mazda, personal data will not leave the car.

Takahiro Tochioka, the engineer in charge, said Mazda is working on ways to predict a health problem even if the driver may not be conscious of it.

“And it will warn drivers even before actual symptoms appear,” he told reporters proudly.

“But understanding and cooperation from the drivers around that car is crucial for this technology to work.”

Mazda is hoping the Japanese public will see a driver in distress and help them.