Hyundai cars to have rear occupant alert as standard by 2022

EXCUSES for supposedly leaving children or pets in the backseat of a car by accident will soon not stick anymore — well, not that such excuses were ever any acceptable anyway.

This is because Hyundai said it would make its Rear Occupant Alert (ROA) door-logic system standard on most of its new vehicles by 2022. It would also offer as an option its Ultrasonic Rear Occupant Alert, or a similar sensor-based system, available on more of its models in future, particularly in the US.

Hyundai currently has two types of ROA systems. The first is the ROA door-logic system which detects if a rear door was opened or closed before the car was started, then reminds the driver to check the rear seat by displaying a message on the center cluster.

The second is the Ultrasonic ROA, a more advanced system that relies on a door-logic technology and an ultrasonic sensor. The system detects the movements of children and pets in the second-row seats. If the system detects movement after the driver leaves the vehicle and locks the doors, it will honk the horn and send an alert to the driver’s smartphone via Hyundai’s Blue Link connected car system.

Hyundai said the move is part of its advocacy calling for the standardization of effective safety technologies — like making rear seat reminder systems a standard feature on new vehicles in future. Such systems will help prevent child and pet deaths from heatstroke in vehicles, according to the carmaker.

It noted two of its models now have standard door-logic ROA; the 2020 Santa Fe and Palisade. Both SUVs can also be fitted with the Ultrasonic ROA. The 2020 Hyundai Sonata will also get as standard the door-logic ROA. The 2019 Santa Fe offers the Ultrasonic ROA as an option. 

“We have great systems that use both door logic memory and motion sensors to help prevent children and pets from being forgotten in the car, but it also helps in case children accidentally lock themselves in,” said Mike O’Brien, vice-president for product, corporate and digital planning at Hyundai Motor America.