Garmin BabyCam Lets Parents Monitor Kids In The Backseat From Their GPS

Parents probably know the struggle of peering into their rear view mirror hoping to spot their child in the over-the-headrest mirror directed at them.

Now, Garmin, a GPS navigation and wireless device provider, aims to change the way parents deal with in-vehicle monitoring of their children by incorporating a video monitor right into their Garmin GPS.

The babyCam is aimed at creating driver safety by transmitting video to the GPS navigator display, allowing parents or caregivers GPS benefits while the babyCam monitors their children in the back seat of a vehicle. babyCam also comes equipped with night vision so drivers can view little passengers at night or in low-light conditions without disturbance.

“We are excited to be the first company to create a new product category that integrates passenger video monitoring with GPS navigation,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin vice president of worldwide sales. “Having to awkwardly turn around or pull over on the side of the road to check on your child is simply unsafe. With babyCam, parents can easily monitor children as often as they need while running daily errands.”

To use, drivers must mount the babyCam unit to a front- or back-seat headrest, which the company claims takes only minutes to do. The babyCam’s adjustable viewing angle can monitor multiple children in the rear seats of a vehicle. After driving to a destination, the babyCam reminds drivers to check for passengers before exiting the vehicle. Parents can even use compatible voice-activated navigators to control babyCam with their voice. A simple voice command allows users to switch from the Garmin navigation display to the babyCam view.

The babyCam can be powered wirelessly with two AA batteries  or with a USB power cable and is expected to be available in January of 2016 for $199.99.