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Automotive Health and InCar-Wellbeing for health promotion and prevention
As a result of demographic change, the proportion of older people in the population is increas-ing in many regions of the world. At the same time, more and more people suffer from chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular or respiratory diseases. These two developments pose a challenge for public health systems. The health industry, on the other hand, sees further sales opportunities in this, because health and wellbeing are essential basic needs that must be satisfied. That’s why they are constantly searching for new therapies, products and services to improve people’s physical and mental health.
Since the age and risk of illness of vehicle occupants is increasing as a result of the develop-ments described above, it is obvious that the health and wellness industry is also developing innovative products and services for the automobile. These new technologies are called automo-tive health and in-car wellbeing. What do these terms stand for and what can we expect?
The car as an oasis of wellbeing
The car of the future knows exactly how the vehicle occupants are feeling, both physically and mentally. It measures the vital data of the passengers and gives tips for increased wellbeing on request. For example, the vehicle analyses heart rate, breathing rhythm, blood oxygen levels, and blood glucose levels. The boundaries between health and wellness functions are fluid:
If the passenger is stressed, the car starts the massage function and adjusts aromatherapy, mood lighting and soundscapes precisely to induce relaxation. Outside noise can be eliminated via the noise-cancelling driver’s cabin and blood flow can be regulated based on heart rate readings via sensors on the steering wheel. To prevent dry mucous membranes, a sensor measures the air humidity and keeps it at a healthy level. In addition, an oxygen monitor in the steering wheel tracks the blood oxygen level, whereupon the oxygen level can be adjusted.
If there are signs of exhaustion, the car suggests a break.
The vehicle as a mobile medical practice
Im Falle ernsthafter gesundheitlichen Probleme oder Gefahren schlägt der Bordcomputer Alarm. Das Eye Monitoring-Assistenzsystem überwacht per Kamera den Lidschlag. Bei Anzeichen von Müdigkeit empfiehlt das Auto dem Fahrer, eine Pause einzulegen. Wenn die externen Kameras Hinweise auf eine drohende Kollision registrieren, wird automatisch ein Alarm ausgelöst. Der Aufmerksamkeitsassistent analysiert anhand von Daten wie Fahrverhalten und Geschwindigkeit die Verfassung der Fahrer und analysiert, ob die Konzentration abnimmt.
Falls Anzeichen von Ermüdung vorliegen, aktiviert das Auto einen Alarm und schlägt eine Pause vor. Auch eine Blutzuckermessung, die ebenfalls über Sensoren im Lenkrad arbeitet, kann für die Analyse wichtige Daten liefern. Der Bordcomputer kann dann vor einem zu niedrigen Blutzuckerspiegel warnen und Stopps an Raststätten oder Tankstellen vorschlagen. Diabetes-Patienten können von dieser Technologie profitieren, um ihren aktuellen Zustand auch während der Autofahrt zu überwachen.
Wellness, health check and accident prevention
In-car wellbeing and automotive health can help improve the health and comfort of vehicle occu-pants and, more importantly, prevent or at least reduce accidents. Even if some of the technologies presented are still dreams of the future, it is clear where the journey is heading: In-car wellbeing and automotive health will be integral parts of the connected car in the future.
All cleaned up! Even the air conditioning?
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