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11/06/2007 12:40:14 AM · #1 |
Heya, folks! If you don't know me that well, I'm currently an MBA student. I'm in a marketing class this semester, and our final project requires us to choose a new product and create a campaign aimed Generation X.
Over the summer, it occurred to me that with all the weekly tragic stories about kids accidentally being left in the cars and dying of the heat, not one of them followed up with a simple solution, and I came up with the idea of a weight-activated proximity alarm that retrofits to your car seat, with a receiver that fits on your key ring. Get more 15 feet from the car when the minimum weight is triggered and your keys start screaming bloody murder at you. My project group has appropriated the idea for our final marketing project. This works for Generation X since a whole lot of people my age (I'm at the tail end of the official GenX range) are getting married and having babies, and many of us are overstressed gadget lovers (iPhones and Blackberries, anyone?)
With all that in mind, we're trying to come up with an ad concept, which largely falls in my lap since I'm the creative photographer person in the group. I can probably go wipe out all my credits at LuckyOliver on some stock photo of a kid in a car seat, but since this is just for a marketing class, no profit involved, I'm wondering if anyone here would (a) have anything suitable and (b) be willing to lend it to me. My favorite three year old would be thoroughly uncooperative, difficult to book, and may even be a bit older than what would be ideal for the campaign. I'm thinking 1-2 years old would be perfect.
Pro-looking shots are not necessary - snapshotty with weird color casts and blown highlights is just fine. Think about the most affecting anti-drunk driving ads you've seen, the ones with the home videos of the person who got killed. It's far from pro-stuff, and that's what really brings the point home.
Also, if you're a parent, feel free to comment on what you would want or require out of such a device, and how much you'd be willing to spend on it. The more input we have from the real world, the better our little fake campaign will be. :-)
Message edited by author 2007-11-06 00:41:09.
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11/06/2007 10:29:45 AM · #2 |
Bump for the morning crowd.
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11/06/2007 10:35:13 AM · #3 |
I am not sure how well this product would sell. Responsible parents, that would think to even buy this, never leave their kids in the car. The people that need it the most wouldn't even think to get it. I think the idea is great, just need to find a way to get all keys/car seats to come standard with this sort of thing, but if you're trying to sell it to the general public, I don't think it would do well. Just my 2 cents.
ETA: No matter what price you sold it for, we wouldn't buy it at for our car seats, because we never leave our kids in the car. Even if we are just going to be gone for a "minute".
I will see what I can possibly do about a picture. I am not the best photog in the world, but if I can remember one night coming home, when my daughters fall asleep in their car seats, I will take some shots and you can use them, if they are what you need.
Message edited by author 2007-11-06 10:38:32.
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11/06/2007 10:45:06 AM · #4 |
Originally posted by travis_cooper:
ETA: No matter what price you sold it for, we wouldn't buy it at for our car seats, because we never leave our kids in the car. Even if we are just going to be gone for a "minute".
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Same here, it's the sort of product that I can't think of why I'd want it unless I am very forgetful.
As for a photo, I never pass up an opportunity so show off my wee lad, even if it is just a snapshot:
[thumb]609618[/thumb] |
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11/06/2007 10:56:00 AM · #5 |
Can you visualize the Dad's, or unsuspecting others, that may use the vehicle while the kid's at home. They finish a trip to the hardware store, etc..., toss a package in the car seat. On the way home a quick stop to get gas, maybe a snack in the convenience store. Grab the handle to the door of the store and "BLARE-BLARE-BEEP-BEEP!!!". The unsuspecting person holding the car keys is so startled the keys go flying out of their hands and land in the .
Might want to include a heat sensor to go with that weight one. :-P |
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11/06/2007 11:01:09 AM · #6 |
I have probably hundreds of pics of my kids in their car seats. I'll look through them tonight. You can use any of them for your class for free.
Can you give some specifics of what you're looking for?
What age range?
Do you want them sleeping? smiling? screaming bloody murder?
Shot from inside the car? from outside?
As an engineer, I can't help but ask if you've thought of any details on how you would actually implement such a system? You might have an engineer in your group, but if not, I'd be willing to give you some thoughts on the "how" part of it. PM me if you like.
As a parent, I can see the benefit of such a system, even though I'm very aware of when I have my kids in the car myself, it's all too obvious that some parents are more careless. |
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11/06/2007 11:04:54 AM · #7 |
I have done Product Design at degree level and love new ideas like this - I think the concept itself is very good, but you have to think about who would buy it and whether it is marketable...
As already said, "Responsible" parents don't leave their children in the car. Irresponsible ones would not consider buying such a device.
I think a little more thought is required for this project to be successful. |
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11/06/2007 11:09:46 AM · #8 |
Originally posted by pix-al:
I think a little more thought is required for this project to be successful. |
Build it, then lobby your congressman to push thru a bill mandating it for child safety on all car seats manufactured. Voila - you're rich! :-)
It is a good thought. Good luck with your project. |
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11/06/2007 11:12:04 AM · #9 |
I've got some. lemme look and see if they are on this harddrive or another. . .
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11/06/2007 11:21:05 AM · #10 |
this is the only one I can get to easily right now.
As far as buying it, I wouldn't. My kids don't stay by themselves for ANY reason, though it would oftentimes be easier if I did. :/
However, I think if a parent has been found of negligence they should be required to install one as part of their punishment. |
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11/06/2007 11:25:30 AM · #11 |
that's a good pic to use. most parents say "oh my child was sleeping and since they were so quiet, i forgot they were there"
Originally posted by karmat:
this is the only one I can get to easily right now.
As far as buying it, I wouldn't. My kids don't stay by themselves for ANY reason, though it would oftentimes be easier if I did. :/
However, I think if a parent has been found of negligence they should be required to install one as part of their punishment. |
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11/06/2007 11:36:34 AM · #12 |
Uh oh... I think I'm going to be the only willing parent that will say... Hell yes, I'd buy this.. I've never ever ever left my child in his car seat for any reason, but the thought of having a safety net to avoid this, appeals directly to me.. I'm 34 yrs old, stay at home mom, married and have another baby on the way.. This happening is one of my biggest fears as a parent..
.. And the idea that only irresponsible people ACCIDENTIALLY leave their child in the car for any period of time is just well, irresponsible thinking.. It happens !!! So, why not have one more safety net in place to avoid a tragic outcome.. I mean, we don't let our kids play in the wall sockets yet we all jam those little plastic thingys in there to avoid it if it happens.. I have the kitchen blocked off and my son can't even go in there, but, I still had my husband put all the locks on the cabinet doors so he couldn't hurt himself by getting into anything.. It's just another precaution.. |
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11/06/2007 11:39:13 AM · #13 |
well it being weight activated, couldnt you have one that would just go off if the sensor that was placed in the car became out of range? this way you can turn it off if you dont have your child with you? it would be the same idea i suppose
Message edited by author 2007-11-06 11:39:48. |
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11/06/2007 11:39:52 AM · #14 |
The product concept already exists - but it's in a form that is unsafe for real-life use. It is a chest-clip that triggers the key-chain alarm if it's left clipped up and the keychain gets too far away. Unfortunately, that means replacing the manufacturer's chest-clip that has been tested with the seat and replacing it with one that has not been, and cannot be as there is no place within the current FMVS for testing of after-market products.
-- The Baby Alert Child Minder System has a "smart clip" that replaces the chest clip on a car seat. A keychain alarm sounds if a parent walks more than 10 feet from the vehicle while the chest clip is fastened.
-- The Halo Baby Seat Safety System uses a weight-sensor pad that sounds a keychain alarm and an audible alarm if a child is left in a car seat.
-- The Volvo S80 sedan has a personal car communicator that can alert the driver if a heartbeat is detected in the car after the alarm is enabled.
There are also seats currently on the US market that have sensors and such - more for lifespan than anything else, they come with an LED light that has a 6-year life span. When the light goes out, you know your carseat has expired.
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11/06/2007 11:42:45 AM · #15 |
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11/06/2007 11:48:09 AM · #16 |
I don't have any pics of my kids in car seats at that age but I want to say I LOVE the idea. I accidentally (and yes it was 100% an accident) left my son in the car when I went in to buy milk, or formula or some single item we needed asap. My son had been in the hospital for four months after he was born and when he did come home we didn't take him our for fear of RSV, he was still barely 5 lbs. at that point so I never, ever had taken him with me in the car before, and my husband was home with my daughter recovering from a vasectomy earlier that day so he begged me to take odin because his apnea monitor still went off randomly when he stopped breathing and my husband couldnt jump up for that at that point. I did take him, but having never taken him before, and not having my daughter with me, him being VERY quiet. I forgot. I never even thought about it while I grabbed the food. Not at check out. Not even when I saw people standing around my car. I heard a woman say "someones in thier" and my heart dropped. I thought car jacker. I still even at that point didn't remember that Odin was with me. It was the middle of summer too and he was crying so hard, and a sweaty mess when I unlocked the car. People were yelling at me but I couldn't think of anything but him. I drove home praying no one would report me. but I'm not a bad mother. or an irresponsible one. Nothing like that had ever happened before or again. Now even when i'm 100% certain i'm alone I still check. It's been 5 years since that day and I'm terrified about it. When I got him home that day I could barely drive. Once in the drive way I opened the door and just collapsed. I was so freaked out. A product like the one meantioned by the OP would have been sooo very helpful. On the other hand until it happened I never would have guessed it was possibe so I'm not sure I would have purchesd one until it was too late. but I WOULD buy one for any pregnant friends or relatives as a baby shower gift in a heartbeat.
btw: I don't ever leave my kids alone in the car purposefully either. not even for a minute. and I didn't before it happend either.
Message edited by author 2007-11-06 11:49:38. |
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11/06/2007 11:48:14 AM · #17 |
Feel free to use this one if you want:
What you describe is one of my greatest fears, and being a generally forgetful person, I am always on alert to never let her out of my sight! |
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11/06/2007 11:51:36 AM · #18 |
A twist would be that the alarm would also sound if the car seat was removed (or the baby removed from the seat) without a proper deactivation code.
For example, many new carseats fit on the stroller, so you simply take them from the car and put them in the stroller, and don't have to unstrap baby. If the baby is removed from either the seat, or the baby and seat removed from the stroller, the alarm would sound. Abduction is probably a top fear of parents of young children -- this could possible help deter potential abductors, maybe.
This would also be a product that more parents would purchase. |
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11/06/2007 11:53:30 AM · #19 |
Originally posted by jaded_youth:
I don't have any pics of my kids in car seats at that age but I want to say I LOVE the idea. I accidentally (and yes it was 100% an accident) left my son in the car when I went in to buy milk, or formula or some single item we needed asap. My son had been in the hospital for four months after he was born and when he did come home we didn't take him our for fear of RSV, he was still barely 5 lbs. at that point so I never, ever had taken him with me in the car before, and my husband was home with my daughter recovering from a vasectomy earlier that day so he begged me to take odin because his apnea monitor still went off randomly when he stopped breathing and my husband couldnt jump up for that at that point. I did take him, but having never taken him before, and not having my daughter with me, him being VERY quiet. I forgot. I never even thought about it while I grabbed the food. Not at check out. Not even when I saw people standing around my car. I heard a woman say "someones in thier" and my heart dropped. I thought car jacker. I still even at that point didn't remember that Odin was with me. It was the middle of summer too and he was crying so hard, and a sweaty mess when I unlocked the car. People were yelling at me but I couldn't think of anything but him. I drove home praying no one would report me. but I'm not a bad mother. or an irresponsible one. Nothing like that had ever happened before or again. Now even when i'm 100% certain i'm alone I still check. It's been 5 years since that day and I'm terrified about it. When I got him home that day I could barely drive. Once in the drive way I opened the door and just collapsed. I was so freaked out. A product like the one meantioned by the OP would have been sooo very helpful. On the other hand until it happened I never would have guessed it was possibe so I'm not sure I would have purchesd one until it was too late. but I WOULD buy one for any pregnant friends or relatives as a baby shower gift in a heartbeat.
btw: I don't ever leave my kids alone in the car purposefully either. not even for a minute. and I didn't before it happend either. |
Accidents CAN happen -- even if the well meaning bystander doesn't think it can. |
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11/06/2007 11:54:10 AM · #20 |
Originally posted by Chinabun:
that's a good pic to use. most parents say "oh my child was sleeping and since they were so quiet, i forgot they were there"
Originally posted by karmat:
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Or worse, "I didn't want to wake them, and I was only going to be a minute." |
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11/06/2007 11:56:37 AM · #21 |
[thumb]609637[/thumb]
A VERY old photo of my daughter, who is now almost 26. :)
I never left her in the car, but I did lock her in one time, which is when I took this photo. She was sleeping, so I unlocked only her door, tossed my keys and purse onto the front seat and put her gently into her carseat. Then I shut her door and locked it, of course. The door had just barely slammed shut when I realized what I had done!
Luckily, I was in a small town in upstate NY, and right across from the police station. Someone passing by saw me and went over to the station. They came out with the sliding thing that opens up car doors. The baby slept through it all (about 20 minutes of drama!) and I took the photo because she just looked so darn cute.
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11/06/2007 12:01:31 PM · #22 |
Originally posted by travis_cooper:
ETA: No matter what price you sold it for, we wouldn't buy it at for our car seats, because we never leave our kids in the car. Even if we are just going to be gone for a "minute". |
This is definitely a tough sell. But consider that most people who experience this tragedy think just like you.
They're good parents. They're smart people. No one is ever going to mistake them for dumb or irresponsible. But while driving the kid fell asleep and was quiet, and since they're in the backseat where you can't necessarily see them so easily, out of sight can mean out of mind, especially when your mind is on other things, like your itinerary for the day, whether or not you have time to run through the drive through at Starbucks, did you leave the TV on, what should you do for dinner tonight, gosh you're nervous about that presentation you have to make this afternoon, and then your cell phone rings and your husband is wondering if you can pick up the dry cleaning...
The idea is that even good parents make mistakes - why risk making this one when it is preventable? Part of the billing is that it's like a smoke detector or car insurance. You're not in the habit of setting things on fire and you're a good driver who hasn't had an accident in over ten years, but you wouldn't dream of living without it because it provides a little extra peace of mind. In a perfect world, there is no "what if". Unfortunately, we don't live there.
Thanks for the photo offers, guys! Whenever we get around to that part, I'll post a copy of our little fake ad :-)
Message edited by author 2007-11-06 12:19:10.
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11/06/2007 12:21:34 PM · #23 |
Originally posted by Spazmo99:
As an engineer, I can't help but ask if you've thought of any details on how you would actually implement such a system? You might have an engineer in your group, but if not, I'd be willing to give you some thoughts on the "how" part of it. PM me if you like. |
Will do later when I'm not at work.
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11/06/2007 01:32:11 PM · #24 |
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11/06/2007 01:34:53 PM · #25 |
Nice! When I was looking for similar stuff before, I couldn't find anything at all. Thanks!
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