Honda and Hitachi develop portable alcohol detector for smart keys
The prototype has been designed to be tamper-resistant and provides results within three seconds.
The two companies have also developed a system that can show the alcohol level measured by the detector on a vehicle’s display panel. The system can become an ignition interlock to stop a vehicle from starting when it detects that the driver is under the influence of alcohol.
The firms said that benefits of the prototype include the ability to test the driver before they enter the vehicle, reducing the temptation to drive.
The device can also confirm that it’s been used correctly and can detect the level of alcohol present simultaneously.
Hitachi and Honda are now looking to commercialise the technology using data from ongoing validation tests.
Earlier this month the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (PACTS) urged fleets to play their part in helping to cut driver crashes, including fitting alcolocks on all vehicles.
Natalie Middleton
Natalie has worked as a fleet journalist for over 20 years, previously as assistant editor on the former Company Car magazine before joining Fleet World in 2006. Prior to this, she worked on a range of B2B titles, including Insurance Age and Insurance Day.
