The Cabin Awareness concept can sense micro-movements, such as respiration and heartbeat

Toyota has revealed a groundbreaking new idea that could prevent heatstroke deaths by helping ensure no pets or young children are left behind inside a vehicle.

The Cabin Awareness concept uses millimeter-wave radar to detect movement, and then connectivity to notify the owner in a scenario where occupants remain in a car.

And it is currently being tested in a real-world trial by Toyota’s partner May Mobility. The autonomous vehicle company is assessing the tech in its fleet of Toyota Sienna AutonoMaaS minivans at its headquarters in Michigan and will soon begin public testing in Arlington, Texas, and Ann Arbor, Michigan, with more locations added later this year.

Toyota’s Connected North America innovation center in Texas has teamed up with Israel-based Vayyar Imaging on the concept.