Car systems to monitor diabetes

20/05/2011

By Katrina McLachlan

Ford Motor Company is taking a leading role in developing gadgets with the help of its SYNC technology, aimed at enabling people with diabetes to monitor their blood glucose levels, as well as provide severe allergy alerts and keep medical records available in cars.

Researchers at the Detroit firm have demonstrated several possible health and wellness in-car connectivity applications for glucose monitoring, asthma management and allergen alert solutions.

To create relevant in-car features and services for those living with chronic illnesses or medical disorders such as diabetes, asthma or allergies, Ford is working with medical device manufacturers, healthcare management service providers and web-based medical alert services.

Ford researchers have worked with Medtronic, which makes glucose monitoring devices, to develop a prototype system that allows Ford SYNC to connect via Bluetooth to a continuous glucose monitoring device.

Alerts can be triggered if blood glucose levels are very low.

Ford is also working with SDI Health and www.pollen.com to bring in the smartphone Allergy Alert app through AppLink to provide location-based day-by-day index levels for pollen; risk factors for asthma, cold, cough and ultraviolet sensitivity; as well as four-day forecasts.