Simulator and method of testing safety of car travel for infants

A car seat assembly for testing at least a cardiorespiratory stability of an infant during car travel, the car seat assembly comprising:

• a base configured to be secured to a back seat of a vehicle;
• an infant seat configured to be secured to the base;
• a first set of sensors configured to monitor parameters including an oxygen saturation and a respiratory rate of a subject positioned in the infant seat;
• a second set of sensors configured to monitor a position the infant seat relative to the base and a position the subject relative to the infant seat;
• a plurality of force applying actuators disposed in the infant seat and the base, each of the plurality of force applying actuators configured to apply one of a lateral, vertical, and linear force;
• at least one hub connected to the first set of sensors, the second set of sensors, and the plurality of force applying actuators;
• and
• a control configured to:
• receive data from the first set of sensors and the second set of sensors,
• access a map service with an address associated with the subject,
• generate a force application profile for a route provided by the map service based on the address by estimating forces to be applied to the car seat assembly in a vehicle traveling on the route, and
• determine a risk profile associated with the force application profile for the subject.

A method for testing at least a cardiorespiratory stability of an infant during car travel, the method comprising:

• providing a simulator including a car body, a back seat positioned in the car body, a base of a car seat assembly secured to the back seat, an infant seat secured to the base, a plurality of sensors, and a control;
• receiving, with the control of the simulator, subject information including a weight, a length, an age, and a gestational age at birth for a subject;
• generating simulation limits for a respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, and pulse of the subject for a simulation based on the subject information;
• positioning the subject in the simulator;
• checking, with the control and the plurality of sensors, vitals of the subject;
• implementing the simulation by operating, with the control, the plurality of force applying actuators to apply lateral, vertical, and linear forces to the infant seat;
• continuously monitoring the vitals of the subject during the simulation with the plurality of sensors;
• accessing, with the control, a map service with an address associated with the subject;
• generating, with the control, a force application profile for a route provided by the map service based on the address by estimating forces to be applied to the infant car seat assembly in a vehicle traveling on the route;
• and
• determining a risk profile associated with the force application profile for the subject.