Alcokey Engineers Trying to Make Remote Device Smaller to Increase Convenience
It's a sobering thought: the moment a drunk driver gets behind the wheel of a vehicle, it's turned into a potential weapon.
The newly developed Saab "Alcokey" system acts much like a miniature breathalyzer. (Photo: General Motors of Canada) |
These chilling statistics often echoed through the media are just a few of the sources prompting Saab to develop a device to assist new car owners stay safely within the legal limits for blood alcohol levels while behind the wheel. The Saab "Alcokey" system acts much like a miniature breathalyzer, and has the ability to immobilize the vehicle's motor if the driver's breath exposes alcohol exceeding legal levels.
The concern mounted by large-scale company fleet operators with employees driving long distances wishing to demonstrate
When the driver of the vehicle goes to unlock it via the key fob, the alcohol sensor in the Alcokey is activated and the car is immediately immobilized. (Photo: General Motors of Canada) |
In addition to carrying the standard keyless entry fob, cars equipped with Alcokey would feature a second fob with an attached mouthpiece. When the driver of the vehicle goes to unlock it via the key fob, the alcohol sensor in the Alcokey is activated and the car is immediately immobilized. In order for the vehicle to be mobilized, the driver must then blow into the mouthpiece to provide a breath sample, which then passes by a pinhead sized semi-conductor prior to being analyzed. A small red or green light will then illuminate on the fob, displaying the results.