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Nissan shows off concept with integrated anti-DUI tech
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You might remember reading about Nissan piloting an in-car breathalyzer system as well as adding a drunk driving message to its cars' nav welcome screens. It turns out, the company is looking at a more comprehensive approach to anti-drunk driving technology integration. The effort has born fruit in the form of a Nissan Fuga (Infiniti M) sedan that is outfitted with several anti-DUI countermeasures. It's just a concept right now, but the approach taken is very interesting.
The Fuga's shifter contains a sensor which measures the amount of alcohol in the driver's hand perspiration. If it is beyond the preset limit, it will immobilize the car and not allow it to be driven. It reinforces the message with a verbal warning from the navigation system. Additional odor sensors in the front seats check for alcohol odor in the air. If any is detected, warnings are issued via the nav system.
Follow the jump for the other features.
[Source: Nissan]
Gallery: Nissan Anti-DUI Technology Concept
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A camera mounted in the instrument cluster monitors the driver's face, paying particular attention to the eyes and the driver's blinking. If it detects drowsiness, once again, a voice warning and onscreen message is issued by the nav system. That measure is supplemented by a tug on the seat belt that's intended to get the driver's attention. The same things happen if the car senses troublesome driving behavior, such as erratic lane departure and re-entry.
Obviously, the ultimate responsibility lies with the driver, who should know better than to get behind the wheel while impaired. That said, however, a multifaceted system such as the one Nissan has employed in its concept car seems like it could be a good second line of defense. We don't need to discuss the wide-reaching and potentially tragic consequences of drunk driving -- they're well known. A comprehensive approach like this, which essentially turns anti-DUI technology into another integrated onboard safety system, is a lot more elegant than a breathalyzer you have to blow into before you can turn the key. If it can be perfected and offered as optional equipment in the future, we're sure there would be some takers.
The problem is this: While it might have appeal to some car shoppers, all the preventive measures in the world in one's own car are of no use against drivers who plow into you after downing one too many. You can work to enhance prevention with features like this, but drunk driving, sadly, isn't something that can simply be engineered out of existence.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Curtis 11:26AM (6/24/2008)
Regardless on your thoughts about liberty or increased safety as a result of tech-driven anti-DUI, stats like these underscore the magnitude of the drinking and driving issue:
http://www.clearhavencenter.com/addictions-research/drinking-and-driving/
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Brooksie 10:44AM (8/03/2007)
This method also takes the liability for drunk driving off the driver and puts it on the car manufacturer.
So when the system fails to recognize that the driver is wasted, and that driver kills someone...then they can sue Nissan right?
I can see the eagles circling already.
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Paul 11:00AM (8/03/2007)
I also think it is silly to have the sensors other than near the driver... it discourages the owner of that car to be a DD...
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NeoteriX 10:45AM (8/03/2007)
In before the "OMG our Constitutional liberties are being infringed!!!" argument gets busted out without any further thought or public policy analysis.
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EagleSores 7:18PM (8/03/2007)
OMGZ! You like being treated like a criminal! HOOray for presuming guilt and making the luz3r citizens prove they aren't cr00ks!
Please move to China where you will be welcomed with opened arms. (For the strip-search, that is.)
Alain 11:20AM (8/03/2007)
I just don't see why people would buy a car with this system.. especially since the sensors aren't totally hidden ( I understand its probably not how it will look for final production though).
Brooksie a responsible driver should be able to tell when they have had to much to drink, and should not rely on their car's system to tell them...however, I'm sure Nissan has already thought of that and would probably implement some kind of waiver that would be signed when purchased just in case. This is kinda like sayingg people would be suing car manufacturers for seatbelts that were unfortunately unable to save lives in every crash.
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Brooksie 1:24PM (8/03/2007)
Not quite...
Todd 11:22AM (8/03/2007)
Hopefully once the precedent is set ( evryone OKs it if it prevents drunk driving ) then it can be extended for the true scourge of the road ways - talking on a cell phone...
Nissan car detects driver is talking on cell phone, cross references with GPS data that shows vehicle velocity is out of line with the other cars, and two wheels are out of the lane. Nissan car tightens seat belt in ever increasing levels until driver is compelled to turn phone off - sweet.
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masarak 11:40AM (8/03/2007)
Better go easy on the aftershave.
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Jeff 11:49AM (8/03/2007)
What a brave new world we've created in the last 23 years!
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Joe K. 12:28PM (8/03/2007)
So, How much more do i have to pay for the option that may or may not let me drive my car? At least GM charges less for that feature, of course theirs isn't based on anything other than reliability...
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johdaxx 12:54PM (8/03/2007)
No - it's a good idea - they just missed the market. A 3 martini lunch executive isn't going to buy this himself, he's going to buy a car with this tech for his teenage driver to drive. They need this in their smaller cars.
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dan 2:16PM (8/03/2007)
This kind of nannying will eventually be installed by Congressional mandate. People like me will get to pay a couple hundred bucks more every time we buy a car, because someone else screwed up.
Just like people who actually keep their tires filled now have to buy tire pressure monitoring anyway, and people who know how to drive have to buy stability control... ad nauseum.
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Stephen 3:51PM (8/03/2007)
I'm usually not a slippery slope guy, but how long until my car has a government surveillance camera? how long until the Homeland Security listens to what I'm listening to? Is it their business that I prefer NPR over Sean Hannity or that I like Dead Kennedys and not Toby Keith?
Afterall, aren't terrorists scarier than drunks?
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Derek 1:13PM (8/05/2007)
I guess you won't be seeing any more Nissan's parked in front of bars.
WTF? It keeps looking like if I buy a new car, it is going to be a kit car...
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