Tuesday, May 31, 2005

Skin Alcohol Sensor Invented

Filed under: OTC

A patent has been granted for an alcohol sensor which can be installed in the steering wheel of a car or even one's "in gloves":

Inventor Dennis Bellehumeur, 54, says his device prevents a vehicle from starting or running if the driver is over the legal alcohol limit.

The device's skin sensor makes it different from the "breath alcohol ignition interlock" that has been on the market for three decades. That device requires that a driver blow into an instrument that measures alcohol in the breath.

Bellehumeur, a real estate agent and deli owner in Wilton Manors, spent 12 years developing his sensor after his then-teenage son crashed into a utility pole while driving drunk and suffered minor brain damage.

"Thank God no one was killed. It was a real wake-up call. I wanted to do something," Bellehumeur said. "I hope one day I'll get a call from some guy saying 'I was drunk and could've killed someone, but because of you, I couldn't start my car'."

He received a patent this month and the sensor should complete testing this year, he said.

The Associated Press has more...

Flashback: 'Alcokey' Breathalyser by SAAB

(hat tip: Engadget)

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