2013 Audi A3

Should Your Car Monitor Your Health?

 
1 1,379 views May 18, 2011

Ford's SYNCH System and Allergy Alert

Ford's SYNCH System and Allergy Alert

Enlarge Photo

Ford researchers have been working with healthcare experts to develop an addition to their SYNC telematics system, and consumers are likely to find this either encouraging or terrifying, likely to to privacy concerns.

The application is aimed at drivers with a chronic illness or medical condition that requires monitoring (such as diabetes or asthma). Ultimately, it could monitor a driver’s glucose level,  or report on conditions such as local pollen count or smog alerts. It could even link to cloud-based personal health profiles to provide real-time health monitoring and coaching.

Ford is clear about their role in developing such technology. Per Gary Strumolo, Ford’s global manager for Interiors, Infotainment, Health & Wellness Research, Ford Research & Innovation, “Ford’s approach to health and wellness in the vehicle is not about trying to take on the role of a healthcare or medical provider, we’re a car company. Our goal is not to interpret the data offered by the experts, but to work with them to develop intelligent ways for Ford vehicles using the power of SYNC. In essence, creating a secondary alert system and alternate outlet for real-time patient coaching services if you will.”

Ford’s projects relating to health and wellness tied to SYNC currently include glucose monitoring (in partnership with medical device manufacturer Medtronic) for diabetics, allergy alerts via SDI Health and www.pollen.com, and WellDoc cloud-based health solutions for those with asthma and diabetes. The projects are still in the research phase, but some (like Allergy Alerts) could be implemented quickly if there proves to be consumer demand. Longer term, Ford is looking at other health-improving technologies, such as finding ways to reduce stress behind the wheel, and that's something we could all benefit from.

[Ford, via The New York Times]





Tags:
Posted in:
 
Contribute
Send us a tip Comment Contact the editor
Follow Us

 

Have an opinion?Join the conversation!

  • Posting indicates you have read this site's Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
  • Notify me when there are more comments
Comment (1)

  1. By Kurt Posted: 5/20/2011 4:52am PDT

    @roytroy, you bring up yet another issue: if someone has a crash due to a medical condition in a health-monitoring vehicle, who's liable?
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

 

Have an opinion?Join the conversation!

Connect with Facebook

Motor Authority. Now with your friends.

Discover stories your friends read.
Share stories more easily.
You control what you share.
Learn more

Research New Cars

Go!


More from High Gear Media

 
 
MotorAuthority
  • Follow Us
  • Twiiter
  • Facebook
 
 
© 2011 MotorAuthority. All Rights Reserved. MotorAuthority is published by High Gear Media. Stock photography by Homestar, LLC. Send us feedback.