What exactly are Hyundai’s Rear Occupant Alert systems?

To address the safety issue of pediatric heatstroke in children who are being left unattended in vehicles during summer season, Hyundai has launched its Rear Occupant Alert (ROA) systems as standard or optional in some of its 2021 models.

Hyundai is the only original equipment manufacturer (OEM) that provides this kind of sensing-based alert by flashing lights, honking the horn, and sending a text message through the Blue Link connected car system to remind the driver to immediately check the vehicle’s backseat once they have alighted.

The ROA systems come as standard on the Palisade, Santa Fe, Santa Fe HEV, Sonata, Sonata HEV, Elantra, Elantra HEV, and on the all-new 2022 Tucson. Hyundai has also developed an optional Ultrasonic ROA for the Palisade, Santa Fe, and 2022 Tucson. The Ultrasonic ROA uses the similar sensor-based system which is specially designed for sports utility vehicles (SUVs) that are commonly used by families with young children.

Hyundai North America Chief Safety Officer Brian Latouf explained, “As we continue to develop safety systems that help protect our customers and make our roads safer, we have turned our attention to the upcoming summer months and the prevention of pediatric heat stroke. The creative ROA technologies found in Hyundai products have the ability to alert and save precious lives during a momentary lapse in judgment and/or unawareness on how quickly a vehicle’s interior can heat up in summer temperatures. Anyone who sees an unattended child in a parked car is urged to call emergency services and stay with the car until the help arrives. All drivers should always lock their cars when not in use and keep keys away from children.”

There are two types of ROA being offered by Hyundai. The ROA door-logic system detects if a rear door was opened or closed when the car was started then alerts the driver to check the rear seat when departing the vehicle by sending a message on the center cluster. Meanwhile, the Ultrasonic ROA uses a door-logic technology and an ultrasonic sensor to monitor the movements of children and pets in the second row. Once it detects movement from the second row after the driver leaves the vehicle, the system will automatically honk the horn and send a message to the driver’s smartphone through the Blue Link connected car system. The driver must download Hyundai’s Blue Link app on their smartphone to activate the feature.

To increase public awareness on pediatric heatstroke, the US National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the US Department of Transportation (DOT) has launched the “Look Before You Lock” program. They tackle children’s sensitivity to heat and reiterate the possibility of death on children when their body temperature reaches 107 degrees. According to their study, a car’s interior temperature can rise up to 115 degrees even at an outside temperature of 70 degrees.

To learn more tips on preventing child heatstroke, visit nhtsa.gov/child-safety/tips-avoid-child-heatstroke.

Photos from Hyundai