Movement Sensor Offered in New Minivan

Toyota said its 2025 Sienna minivan includes technology that alerts drivers if an occupant remains in the rear seats after they’ve left the vehicle.

Though the Japanese automaker didn’t explicitly explain the impetus for adding the technology, such alerts could prevent children or pets from being left in a vehicle by a distracted caregiver. In some cases, children have died after being left in hot vehicles, including an 8-year-old girl who succumbed in June in North Carolina.

Toyota said the new Siennas sold in the U.S. will come with Advanced Rear Seat Reminder technology as standard. The feature uses “millimeter wave radar” that registers any movement in the second- and third-row seats and alerts the vehicle's Toyota application user.

The system, originated in a Toyota Motor North America technology contest, is designed to send an escalating series of warnings and can sense movement in low light and under objects such as blankets, Toyota said in a press release.

Toyota worked with other companies to develop the technology and apply for more than 40 patents, some of which it said have been granted.

The feature will be available for 10 years or the life of 4G connectivity, the automaker said.