The extensive use of computer technology and latest gadgetries is becoming more and more common as the days pass. Autonomous cars have started roaming around the streets, lane assist system, cruise control and many other systems are being introduced by the auto makers. And now another revolutionary technology is going to make sure your safety stays a top priority.
This new technology is being researched and developed by the Driver Alcohol Detection System for Safety (DADSS) which is going to employ touch-based and breath-based sensors to determine if the driver is over the legal blood alcohol limit or not.
The touch-based sensor uses near-infrared tissue spectroscopy, detecting the level of alcohol in the blood. A specific wavelengths lights is absorbed by alcohol, thus measuring the intensity of this light can pinpoint driver’s blood alcohol level very precisely.
The breath-based system on the other hand, will be measuring alcohol molecules in the breath of the driver.
Yes! It is a collaborative research partnership between National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Automotive Coalition for Traffic Safety (ACTS) – representing 17 auto makers – to come up with some kind of technology which will detect alcohol in blood and if the level is high, prevent the vehicles from being driven.
This program was initiated back in 2008 and now we have seen some interesting results.
There has been an event in which a test vehicle has been in use to determine the efficacy of the system. A great deal of work still needs to be done, but the authorities have achieved a great deal of development milestones. So it is still hard to say when this technology will be available for the general public, but we hope it will not be that far.
