Toyota's Heart Rate Monitor in Cars? What's Next?!

Saw this article about Toyota patenting a heart rate detection device for vehicles. Sounds like they're turning cars into rolling doctor's offices. But hey, as a contractor, I'm all about precision measurement - this is just a different kind of measuring tool! What do you guys think? Gimmick or genuinely useful?

Interesting stuff, Pete. But I'm with you on the precision - if they can measure heart rate through the steering wheel, that's some serious sensor tech. I'd be more impressed if they could detect a leaky pipe from a mile away! In all seriousness, could be useful for monitoring fatigue on long drives. I know I've dozed off a time or two after a long day on the road.

I read that too! It's wild how they can pick up your pulse without any chest strap or anything. I'm a weekend warrior, so I drive a lot for supplies. If it can tell me to pull over for a coffee when my heart's racing, I'm all for it. But knowing Toyota, it'll be a $2,000 option on a $50k truck, right? 😅

As a pro, I'm skeptical about any of these 'smart' features. My old truck's got a tape measure and a dead-reckoning system (my gut). But hey, if it helps my grandpa keep his heart rate down when he cuts me off in traffic, maybe it's not all bad. Still, I'll stick to my laser measure for the workshop - that's the only measuring tool I need.