Games Gadgets n Technology

Friday, August 03, 2007

Halt !!!! U R drunk::::CAR TECHNOLOGY


Motorists tempted to get behind the wheel after one alcoholic drink too many could soon get a ticking off from an unlikely source: Their car.

A new concept car, manufactured by Japan’s Nissan Motor Co, with its breathalyser-like detection systems may aid policing systems, the world over, to keep impaired drivers off the road.

Nissan’s prototype alcohol-detection sensors check odour, sweat and driver awareness, issuing a voice alert from the navigation system and locking up the ignition if necessary.

Rivals Toyota and Honda are also researching anti-drink driving systems, said Credit Suisse auto analyst Koji Endo.

“Everybody’s concern nowadays is with safety and environmental issues,” he said.

ALCOHOL ODOUR SENSORS
Nissan’s hi-sensitivity alcohol odour sensor is built into the gear shift knob, which is able to detect the presence of alcohol in the perspiration of the driver’s palm as he or she attempts to start driving.

When the alcohol-level detected is above the pre-determined threshold, the system automatically locks the transmission, immobilising the car.

A ‘drunk driving’ voice alert is also issued via the car navigation system.

Additional alcohol odour sensors are also incorporated into the driver’s and passenger seats to detect the presence of alcohol in the air. When it is detected, the system issues both a voice alert and a message alert on the navigation system monitor.

“We’ve placed odour detectors and a sweat sensor on the gear shift. But, for example, if the gear-shift sensor was bypassed by a passenger using it instead of the driver, the facial recognition system would be used,” Kazuhiro Doi, Nissan’s General Manager, said.

FACIAL RECOGNITION SYSTEM

A camera is mounted behind the steering wheel to monitor the driver’s face. The system is calibrated to monitor the driver’s state of consciousness through the blinking of the eyes.

Upon detecting signs of drowsiness, it issues a voice and message alert. Additionally, a seat-belt mechanism is activated which tightens around the driver to gain his or her immediate attention.

But the system doesn’t become dormant once the car is in motion.


DRIVING BEHAVIOUR

The system constantly monitors the operational behaviour of the vehicle, such as sensing if the vehicle is veering out of its driving lane. It thus identifies signs of inattentiveness in the driver.

Upon detecting such behaviour, voice and message alerts as well as the seat-belt alert mechanism are activated.

NOT YET FOOL-PROOF

However, the car company is still in the process of distilling exactly what impairment means.

“If you drink one beer, it’s going to register, so we need to study what’s the appropriate level for the system to activate,” said Doi.

The automaker is also testing a new on-board breathalyser that will prevent inebriated motorists from starting up their cars.

Nissan has no specific timetable for marketing, but aims to yoke all technology to cut the number of fatalities involving its vehicles to half 1995 levels by 2015.
posted by strangebeauty at 11:56 PM

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