RFID Chips In Kids' Car Seats

AirGate Technologies Inc. says it's developing a prototype child car seat that incorporates a radio-frequency-identification tag. The seat would warn drivers if the seat buckle disengages. A finished prototype is expected within 90 days.

AirGate is calling its RFID seatbelt the Smart Buckle. Nearly 12% of children who weigh less than 60 pounds ride unrestrained in their safety seats, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The tag would trigger an audible warning if it detects a child is riding unbuckled in a safety seat. AirGate is an X-Change Corp. wholly owned subsidiary focused on wireless data management.