Technology to prevent back up accidents. Bloomberg Boot Camp, I’m Fred Fishkin. It’s an issue that is drawing some attention in Congress….the increasing number of children who are killed or injured because they weren’t seen when vehicles…often larger SUVs or minivans…were backing up. One bill being proposed would require standards for new vehicles that would enable drivers to detect people or objects behind them. In the meantime…a number of consumer electronics manufacturers are making sensors and cameras consumers can install on existing vehicles. At Audiovox, Senior Vice President Tom Malone…

“You don’t have to wait to buy your next new car to get some of these devices. Some of the people are intimidated because some need professional installation. But now there are more systems that are do it yourself installed and that’s a great breakthrough. With wireless technology you can plug certain devices into your trailer hitch, which a lot of these SUVs have, and it will communicate through these ultra sonic sensors and a wireless transmitter to a little device that just plugs into your 12 volt power port. So this can be installed in literally five minutes.”

The price…about 250 dollars. Installed cameras…with built in rearview mirror screens can cost quite a bit more. You can find more information about the issues at kidsandcars.org. Bloomberg Boot Camp, I’m Fred Fishkin.