Toyota Joining Alcohol-Detection Crowd
Volvo showed off a drunken-driving prevention system earlier this year, and aftermarket systems have been used by the courts for some time now, but Toyota’s first foray into the intriguing technology is based on sweat.
That’s right, there are sweat sensors in the steering wheel that can detect the alcohol level in a driver’s bloodstream. If it detects a high-enough level, it will shut down the car completely — we’re assuming before it has started moving. The system would also look for reckless steering and check to see if the driver’s pupils are focusing properly.
Toyota says it will look to add the system in 2009, but we still see these systems as expensive and tricky technology that few, if any, shoppers will opt for until mandated.
[Toyota Creating Alcohol-Detection System, USA Today]
Previous
Subscribe to our feed
Email us your tips!
They already have such technology in Japan quite a while ago.
When the driver is not facing forward, the car will have a warning noise to warn the driver.
What takes them so long to bring these things here in the States?
I think this is somewhat overkill personally. I doubt any person who drinks alcohol on a regular basis would even consider buying a car with this kind of technology. What if the drunk driver decides to wear gloves before he/she puts their hands on the steering wheel? Could this car also detect illegal drugs in your system aswell? What happens if the sensor screws up later? Sorry if im sounding like a little kid. Any car with an alcohol detection system in it is safer than a car without one. Cars are really starting to become computers on four wheels these days. However I think as long as there are people,booze, and automobiles then there will continue to be accidents no matter how sophisticated the technology is.