The Smart Guardian is a device designed to prevent heat-strokes. The Smart Guardian continuously monitors the interior environment of a vehicle, focusing on two main components: temperature (which detects when levels exceed safe thresholds) and motion (which identifies the presence of living beings inside). Upon detecting dangerous conditions, Smart Guardian initiates a multi-tiered response: it activates an audible alarm and flashing light to alert nearby individuals, sends a real-time alert to the driver’s smartphone urging immediate action, and if the situation remains unresolved, it contacts emergency services, providing the vehicle’s exact location for assistance.
Let's Discover
Project Guardian
Innovation Fest 2025
About Project Guardian
UN SUSTAINABILITY DEVELOPMENT GOALS
Empowered and Driven:
Delivering Solutions for Global Issues
The Smart Guardian supports goal number 3, “Good Health and Wellbeing” as it’s aim is to protect children and animals from tragedies in hot cars by making the surrounding area of people aware as quick as possible. To support goal number 9, The Smart Guardian utilises advanced technology, sensors, modules, and GPS tracking, to enhance automobile safety. And The Smart Guardian supports goal number 11 by enhancing vehicle safety, The Smart Guardian contributes to making urban environments safer for families and pet owners. It supports safer mobility, ensuring vehicles become a secure space rather than a potential hazard. Additionally, it raises public awareness about heatstroke dangers and the need for responsible vehicle usage, promoting safer and more sustainable communities.
THE STORY BEGAN
DESIGN STORY
Challenges
1. I'm struggling to set up the GSM module for location detection.
2. I'm struggling to finish building The Smart Guardian within the deadline.
3. I will also struggle to test The Smart Guardian after development as the temperature outside isn't very hot and it's difficult to perfect test conditions without ethical issues.
Use Case
Use Case: Preventing Heatstroke in a Child Left in a Car Scenario: A parent accidentally leaves their sleeping child in a parked car on a hot day. Action: The Smart Guardian detects motion and high temperature inside the car. Response: Sends an immediate alert to the parent's smartphone. Activates a loud alarm and flashing light to alert bystanders. If no response is detected, it automatically contacts emergency services with the GPS location. Outcome: The parent or emergency responders intervene quickly, preventing a heatstroke incident.
Solution
1. I can ask my Teammates to help me, or the mentors
2. I will create a personal timetable and split the task into smaller, more manageable pieces so I can complete it within the deadline without feeling overwhelmed with the workload.
3. I will leave my car outside on a hot day and also turn the heating on inside my car while I'm inside to test the buzzer and the flashing LED light in The Smart Guardian.
TECHNOLOGIES
List of Essential Tools and Technologies
THE PROCESS
PROTOTYPE DESIGN
The Smart Guardian prototype is a sensor-based safety device designed to prevent heatstroke-related deaths in unattended vehicles. It consists of an Arduino Uno R3, a DHT11 temperature sensor, and a PIR motion sensor to detect high temperatures and movement. If a child or pet is detected in dangerous heat conditions, the device initiates a three-stage alert system.
First, it sends a smartphone notification to the car owner via a Bluetooth module. If the owner does not respond, the second stage activates an audible alarm and flashing light, alerting nearby people to the emergency. In the final stage, if the temperature reaches a life-threatening level, the device automatically contacts emergency services and provides the vehicle’s location via a GPS module.
The Smart Guardian uses rechargeable batteries and is designed to be easily attachable to a car’s interior. The Smart Guardian fills a market gap by offering automated emergency contact, a feature absent in existing car safety devices.
Online Marketing
Creative agency
Web development
PLEDGE
Impact on the market
In the UK, there are 13 million families who own pets such as cats and dogs, and an average of 7.9 million families who have children under the age of 10. This shows that The Smart Guardian has a large target audience. The Smart Guardian has potential with its innovative smart features. As there are no direct competitors that offer features similar to The Smart Guardian, our product stands strong against competitors on the market.
RESULTS
FINAL PRODUCT
1. Research & Concept Development
The process began with researching heatstroke incidents in vehicles, identifying gaps in current safety solutions, and defining the core functionalities of the Smart Guardian. Market research confirmed a growing demand for child and pet safety products, reinforcing the need for an innovative device.
2. Hardware & Software Selection
We selected an Arduino microcontroller as the processing unit, and a DHT11 temperature sensor and a PIR motion sensor to detect movement and heat levels. A Bluetooth module was chosen for remote alerts, a GPS module for location tracking, and alarm and flashing lights to alert nearby individuals.
3. Prototype Development
The hardware components will be assembled using sensors programmed using Arduino R3.
4. Testing & Refinement
The prototype will be tested in controlled environments to simulate real-world conditions.
