Volvo’s on-board breathalyzer to enter production
03-06-08, 07:17 AM
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Volvo’s on-board breathalyzer to enter production
Volvo’s on-board breathalyzer to enter production
Posted on Thursday 6 March 2008
First Volvo unveiled a new driver-distraction warning system, now the company is presenting a fully integrated in-car alcolock system called Alcoguard. Scheduled to be introduced as an option for XC60 to begin with, and then the S80, V70 and XC70 models early next year, the new system will require drivers to blow into a wireless hand-held unit that analyzes their breath in order to start the car. If the driver’s blood-alcohol limit exceeds a predetermined level the engine simply won’t start.
It’s expected Volvo will charge around $1000 for the option.
According to Volvo, one in three fatalities in Europe is alcohol related and around 3,000 people in the UK alone are killed or seriously injured each year in drink drive collisions. The new Alcoguard system employs the same fuel-cell technology used by the majority of police forces in Europe. Thanks to advanced sensors, it isn’t possible to use external air sources such as a pump to cheat the system but it can’t prevent people other than the driver starting up the car.
Both Toyota and Nissan are developing their own on-board breathalyzers, but it appears Volvo will be the first mainstream carmaker to market the product.
Posted on Thursday 6 March 2008
First Volvo unveiled a new driver-distraction warning system, now the company is presenting a fully integrated in-car alcolock system called Alcoguard. Scheduled to be introduced as an option for XC60 to begin with, and then the S80, V70 and XC70 models early next year, the new system will require drivers to blow into a wireless hand-held unit that analyzes their breath in order to start the car. If the driver’s blood-alcohol limit exceeds a predetermined level the engine simply won’t start.
It’s expected Volvo will charge around $1000 for the option.
According to Volvo, one in three fatalities in Europe is alcohol related and around 3,000 people in the UK alone are killed or seriously injured each year in drink drive collisions. The new Alcoguard system employs the same fuel-cell technology used by the majority of police forces in Europe. Thanks to advanced sensors, it isn’t possible to use external air sources such as a pump to cheat the system but it can’t prevent people other than the driver starting up the car.
Both Toyota and Nissan are developing their own on-board breathalyzers, but it appears Volvo will be the first mainstream carmaker to market the product.
03-06-08, 11:10 AM
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03-06-08, 12:31 PM
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but YEA! NO KIDDING ... 'i drink a lot, i think i'll get a breathalizer car' ...omg, too funny
03-06-08, 12:55 PM
#6
The only way I can see this "option" actually being purchased is if parents add it on to their kid's first car ... Besides that who would do this, and damn you have to blow into this machine EVERYTIME you start the car? that would be pretty annoying ... 
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03-06-08, 02:15 PM
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If someone knows they don't have a lot of self-control and can't tell if they're over the limit, this makes a lot of sense. Even Mr. and Mrs. Sensible Volvo drivers could use this... they've got to a New Year's Eve party and had a couple of drinks... they feel fine but being Sensible they don't want to get pulled over. No worries, use the alcoguard and they're good to go (or not).
Now here's a thing... what if they use it, the car let's them drive, they get pulled over, and they fail the limit... do they sue Volvo?
Now here's a thing... what if they use it, the car let's them drive, they get pulled over, and they fail the limit... do they sue Volvo?
03-06-08, 02:48 PM
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we've all had situations where you reflect on a party nite and you can say 'oh yea, that drink just completely did me in'
03-07-08, 06:17 AM
#12
Well let's think of a crazy hypothetical situation. Let's say you're at a party with friends and family and everyone is drinking and having a good time when someone slips and falls into a glass table cutting themselves badly (let's say it's your girlfriend) and needs to be rushed to the hospital, nobody wants to call 911 for the fact that there are underaged people at the party who have been drinking and the owners of the house fear going to jail. Now you get into your new Volvo and breathe into the built-in breathalizer and the car will not start , Now what?
Not a good situation to be in ... sorry guys I'm taking a philosophy class right now and the professor gives us some crazy, messed up situations ...
I think it's a stupid option, people need to be responsible for their own actions, but this kind of thing should not be forced upon us, all this is gonna do is make people find ways to beat the system ...
, Now what?Not a good situation to be in ... sorry guys I'm taking a philosophy class right now and the professor gives us some crazy, messed up situations
...I think it's a stupid option, people need to be responsible for their own actions, but this kind of thing should not be forced upon us, all this is gonna do is make people find ways to beat the system ...
03-07-08, 06:34 AM
#13
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Well let's think of a crazy hypothetical situation. Let's say you're at a party with friends and family and everyone is drinking and having a good time when someone slips and falls into a glass table cutting themselves badly (let's say it's your girlfriend) and needs to be rushed to the hospital, nobody wants to call 911 for the fact that there are underaged people at the party who have been drinking and the owners of the house fear going to jail. Now you get into your new Volvo and breathe into the built-in breathalizer and the car will not start , Now what?
, Now what?