Nissan’s solution to stop children crying in cars

No, it’s not April 1 yet, though hearing the words “Nissan” and “baby distracting” might raise a few eyebrows.

Nissan has developed – in part, at least – a children’s toy designed to stop restless kids crying in the back seat of its vehicles.

This red furry monster is called Iruyo, and is sold as a pair – one which can be placed in the back seat towards the child, and a second smaller one to sit up front with the driver who can “speak” to the toy.

Simple voice commands and movements prompt Iruyo to make noise and move, distracting the child from whatever might be ailing them.

Nissan claims the sensing and detection technology used in Iruyo is similar to that found in its vehicle safety systems, with the soft toy able to detect when the child has fallen asleep.

According to the carmaker, preliminary testing showed about 90 per cent of babies responded positively to Iruyo – though parents of infants and toddlers with children who fear moving toys likely know how the remaining 10 per cent reacted.

Iruyo isn’t yet on sale in Japan, as Nissan and Akachan Honpo – the toymaker who created the furry toy – are still undergoing development. When it does become available to the public, a choice of red, vanilla and pink fur will be offered.