The doctor is in... in the car

Ford is looking at software applications that could be paired with its in-car connectivity system to help motorists keep tabs on health issues, such as asthma, or heart problems.

The story attracted widespread interest in the United States this week, where the cost of health care is running out of control.

The technology may help diabetics monitor glucose levels on a dashboard screen or over the audio system and avoid lightheadedness, blurry vision or other symptoms that may be dangerous while driving, said Ford.

It said Sync connectivity - available on almost all models in the US - is an important factor in 50 per cent of purchases.

But the system and its 20cm dashboard screen has been criticised. "It's complicated and frustrating," said US Consumer Reports magazine.

Jamie LaReau, who writes on the US automotive industry, says she has a friend with diabetes. "That means after dining, she usually checks her blood glucose level before getting behind the wheel.

"The system could display or transmit an alert to my friend if her blood glucose level was too low. But what if, sometime, she forgot to check?"

Ford believes the car is a second home to many commuters. "It's an extension of people's lives," says Paul Mascarenas, Ford's vice-president of research and innovation.

In effect, the carmaker is saying most people would monitor their health issues at home anyway, so why not in their car, too?

Fair enough, says LaReau, but when is it an intrusion in people's lives?

For the system to work, drivers must provide some of their health information to Ford's US partner and software developer, WellDoc. WellDoc records diabetics' glucose levels. WellDoc executive Anan Iyer says a user's health records will have privacy protection.

But where does personal responsibility and common sense end, and where does technology that runs our lives begin? says LaReau.

Ford is still studying how much consumer demand there is for such a system. But the technology is not near becoming a reality - yet.