Honda reveals next-gen portable breathalyser

Honda has revealed a portable breathalyser protoytpe which integrates into smart keys and provides results within three seconds.

The breathalyser was developed in partnership with electronics giant Hitachi. Both parties are hoping to commercialise the technology, but there is no word yet on when this might be.

A Honda spokesperon said the breathalyser is a step in “Honda’s vision towards a collision-free society and a solution to drink-driving”.

While similar devices are already available, Honda claims its prototpye distinguishes itself by allowing the driver to measure their alcohol level from anywhere before entering the vehicle, rather than when already in the driver’s seat.

It can also confirm that the applied gas is human-exhaled breath and detect the alcohol level simultaneously – a feature which Honda claims is currently unavailable on other examples – within three seconds.

Alcohol level shown on car display panel

The two companies have developed a system that can show the alcohol level measured by the detector on a vehicle’s display panel. The system can function as an ignition interlock to stop a vehicle from starting when it detects that the driver is under the influence of alcohol.

An alert indicator also shows the measurement results on the vehicle’s display panel if the detector-equipped smart key is close to the driver seat.

The announcement is the latest step in Honda’s plight to tackle drink-driving. In December last year, the car maker teamed up with AlcoSense to give away personal breathalysers in Honda dealerships throughout the festive period.