In 2016, 39 children died of heat stroke from being left in a car. Seven of those cases happened in Texas. A product designed to in College Station could help save lives.

Keith Platt gave his two-year-old grandson, Ryder, a lift up and then his daughter strapped him into his car seat, but it's not just any seat. It is called the Baby's Auto Lifesaver and was designed by Platt to alert parents if they have left a kid in the car. .

"It really ain't all about the money. If I save one baby's life, it's worth everything I put into it," said Platt.

Platt took his idea to the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service's Product Development Center where Mickie Bryd helped to design the technology.

His favorite part so far: "Having it work. Basically being able to take his idea and turn it into something that you can actually hold," said Bryd.

The device comes in two pieces. There is the child detection pad, which is pretty simple to install. All you do is put it underneath the child's seat. The second piece is an adapter that fits into an electronics slot right under the vehicle's steering wheel.

Caleb Holt heads up the Product Development Center where the prototype was created. Holt says all the trial and error not only led them to a functioning product, but to a life-saving device.

"Our first responders have stories of having to go to children left in hot cars. There was a connection there and allowed us to say, 'this is definitely a technology that is needed,'” said Holt. "My son is due on March 6, and we hope to be the first ones trying this out here in Bryan/College Station.”

Platt's invention is gaining traction out of the Brazos Valley, too. His home video showing the device has reached more than 1.7 million views in less than month.

“Now seeing that it works and that I'm going to be able to save a bunch of babies lives, that's the fun part for me,” said Platt.

The product is now in the testing phase. GM, Dodge, Ford and Toyota will soon be testing out the technology in the Brazos Valley.