AutoBlog: BMW working on system that stops vehicles during a medical emergency

[NewsFeeder]

Filed under: Safety, Tech, BMW

Senior citizens who are at heightened risk for heart attack and strokes or those with diabetes often stop driving to keep both themselves and other motorists safe in the event that they have a medical issue while behind the wheel. Others ignore the risk factors and continue to drive until something happens to themselves or others, while still others often suffer completely unforeseen medical events. Regardless of whether you are young or old, sick or healthy, BMW is working on a new safety system called Emergency Stop Assistant which will safely bring one's vehicle to a stop during a medical calamity.

According to BMW, its new experimental system will sense medical dangers for the driver. When a serious medical issue is detected, the system will switch over to an autonomous driving mode to safely stop the vehicle out of harm's way. The system is currently in development, and it promises to turn on the hazard lights, utilize radar tech to navigate the Bimmer through traffic, then slow the vehicle to a stop once it finds the shoulder. BMW's existing Extended Emergency Call system would then call emergency services and provide the location of the vehicle. The system, if brought to production, could save lives while also giving those with medical issues peace of mind.

BMW is testing its Emergency Stop Assistant system as part of Smart Senior, a project launched by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research in Germany. Official press release after the jump.

[source: BMW]

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BMW working on system that stops vehicles during a medical emergency originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 Jun 2009 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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[balthazar]

Anyone doubt, with this announcement, that the day will come when the driver does little but decide when to start their vehicle?

Frankly, in light of the typical traditional angle of the Gov, I've at times thought it was amazing that 100s of millions of Americans are 'allowed' to pilot 4000-6000lbs vehicles by themselves, at any time & anywhere. If the automobile was invented in --say-- 2000, I seriously doubt it'd be anywhere near as easy to get one licensed & operating legally.

I would never own a vehicle with a feature like this.