Honda Announces Successful Development of a Tamper-Resistant Ignition Interlock Device For Vehicles

In order to help reduce and even eliminate the dangers of drunk driving, the use of ignition interlock devices has been an effective tool in achieving this goal. When used as part of a restricted driving program that can be instituted after a drunk driving arrest, these devices will request drivers to submit a breath sample into the device. If the device registers alcohol content exceeds pre-programmed levels the vehicle will not start.

For people who have ignition interlock devices on their vehicles, they may devise ways to cheat the system such as feeding the system compressed air or by having a friend who hasn't been drinking blow into the system. However, Honda Motor Company and Hitachi have announced they have developed a successful prototype of a new alcohol detection device for vehicles that is tamper-resistant.

According to a press release issued by Honda, these new interlock devices have significant advantages over other system. First, while other systems require drivers to perform the test from the driver’s seat once they are already inside the vehicle, this new device will allow people to measure their alcohol level from anywhere and, importantly, prior to entering their vehicle.

Secondly, the Hitachi/Honda device can confirm that the gas that is supplied to the device is indeed  human exhaled breath and it can detect the level of alcohol at the same time. Unlike other devices, the new Honda/Hitachi prototype device is smaller and features an advanced sensor design that can detect the saturated water vapors from human breath with a high degree of sensitivity.

When someone breathes into the the devices, they exhale onto the sensor which is sandwiched between the electrodes, the water vapors from the breath is adsorbed on the insulator and then an electric current flows between the electrodes. When this phenomenon occurs, the sensor can recognize if the applied gas is indeed human breath.

This prototype device also has been designed to better measure the concentrations of alcohol on a person's breath when they use the device. The Honda/Hitachi device features three types of sensors to detect levels of ethanol as well as acetaldehyde (which is the metabolized by-product of alcohol) as well as hydrogen gas. The device is capable of reading alcohol levels as low as 0.03% which is the legal limit in Japan.

Additionally, this system can be fully integrated into a smart key system. By applying the recorded measurement result of the alcohol detector into the engine ignition mechanism, this system can prevent the engine from starting if it detects that the driver’s breath is over the limit that is pre-programmed into the device. The Honda/Hitachi device also features an indicator also shows the measurement results on the vehicle’s display panel if the equipped smart key is close to the driver seat.

This new system will be featured as part of the Society of Automotive Engineers World Congress and Exhibit which will be held in Detroit next month.