Imagine a smart carseat that automatically adjusts and seatbelts itself. What if it was built into the car? What if it was heated?
For example children of various ages up to 8 in some states are supposed to use booster seats. What if these seats just popped out of the backseat bench? Babies could use a different setting that allows a separate removable carry-device to attach. This device could be lightweight and compatible with the built-in gear. Any combination of three babies or children could automatically be seated without fumbling with bulky car and booster seats.
You just put or hold your child in place and push a button. Before this you can set the age and it will push out to the configuration. Even if it were not your children, imagine the convenience of seating whomever you want.
A visitor may not have a car-compatible carry-device with them, but maybe a limited baby-seat could also be built in. And basic standards could be set to allow most lightweight carry-devices to fit in cars with smartseats.
I also believe that it is not difficult to safely fit a child or baby in the front seat. Drivers often reach back to comfort or take care of their baby. Surely this is as dangerous as a distracting baby/child in front. Airbags could be configured appropriately.
Special smart gear could safely fit babies or small children in front similar to the back. (This may not be as simple or comprehensive as a backseat configuration, however, since the front seat often has other features.)
The smart carry-device and smartseat gear could be electrically heated so one need not place children in a sub-freezing car seat. When the carry-device is attached it could be heated or powered by the smart-seat.
The smart gear basically reaches out and connects itself in a harmless way, then it senses the child and tightens appropriately. And beeps if it cannot safely set up. A parent is still probably needed to ensure toddler cooperation.
When I say lightweight I really mean lightweight, like the size of a thick blanket around your baby with a handle on top. So most likely the smart seatbelt would work around the carry-device.
I see the Tesla cars as a perfect place for implementing a smartseat. Already fancy and different, I could see more purchases of new Tesla cars by families, if these possibilities were implemented.
And I hope self-driving technology is almost everywhere in 5 years, because this would hugely simplify parent's efforts to care for children while driving. I believe I could produce this technology myself with the right resources, so lets get it done. (Does self-driving mean you can sleep or read while driving too, or why not? It could always beep you awake in a difficult circumstance.)
Conclusions
Car interiors are usually pretty simply made, but they do not have to be. I believe that families could use more convenience. Have you ever tried to put a child in their seat in the pouring rain? Have you ever sat your toddler on the front buckle and had to pull it out? Has the chest gear ever been too tight to buckle on a warmly clothed child and then had to be adjusted? Have you ever had to move booster seats, not gone somewhere or not carpooled in order to obey the law? If so you understand why parents could really use more convenience.
