The Toyota ECG Steering Wheel is Designed to Track a Driver's Heart Health
Michael Hines — July 28, 2011 — Autos
References: fastcompany
Add "lifesaving" to the list of reasons you should purchase a Toyota. The Japanese car company, famed for its reliable and fuel-efficient vehicles, recently showed off a Prius equipped with an ECG (electrocardiogram) steering wheel. The Toyota ECG steering wheel is designed to monitor the driver's heart rate and detect any abnormalities that could affect his driving abilities.
The Toyota ECG steering wheel would notify drivers if there is a detected abnormality and then instruct him to pull over as the car dials 911 for him. The data from the steering wheel would be viewable to drivers on the car's navigation screen, which would make monitoring your heart's health as easy as going for a drive. In-car heart attacks are not too common, but they often lead to catastrophic accidents that could be prevented with early warning. Toyota has set no timetable on when the ECG steering wheels would be put into cars, but I expect to see them offered sometime soon as an optional accessory before eventually becoming standard.
The Toyota ECG steering wheel would notify drivers if there is a detected abnormality and then instruct him to pull over as the car dials 911 for him. The data from the steering wheel would be viewable to drivers on the car's navigation screen, which would make monitoring your heart's health as easy as going for a drive. In-car heart attacks are not too common, but they often lead to catastrophic accidents that could be prevented with early warning. Toyota has set no timetable on when the ECG steering wheels would be put into cars, but I expect to see them offered sometime soon as an optional accessory before eventually becoming standard.
Trend Themes
1. In-car Health Monitoring - The Toyota ECG Steering Wheel demonstrates the trend of incorporating health monitoring technology into automobiles, providing an opportunity for car manufacturers to explore similar innovations.
2. Early Warning Systems - The inclusion of an ECG steering wheel in the Toyota Prius highlights the trend of integrating early warning systems in vehicles, creating potential opportunities for companies to develop advanced safety features.
3. Personalized Automotive Technology - The Toyota ECG Steering Wheel showcases the trend of personalized automotive technology that caters to the individual health needs of drivers, opening up avenues for companies to create customizable automotive solutions.
Industry Implications
1. Automotive - The incorporation of health monitoring features like the Toyota ECG Steering Wheel presents a disruptive innovation opportunity for the automotive industry to redefine vehicle safety and driver wellbeing.
2. Healthcare - The integration of health monitoring technology into automobiles, exemplified by the Toyota ECG Steering Wheel, offers the healthcare industry an avenue for expanding reach and providing remote patient monitoring options.
3. Technology - The development of in-car health monitoring systems, such as the Toyota ECG Steering Wheel, presents a disruptive innovation opportunity for the technology industry to advance the intersection of healthcare and automotive technology.
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