Filed under: Etc., Safety, Tech, Volvo
Drink & drive? Not in a Volvo. Introducing the Alcoguard
As fuel cell technology gains ground, carmakers will find new ways to incorporate it into vehicles beyond mere motive power. In a noteworthy development for social sippers everywhere, Volvo has used it to create a gadget called the Alcoguard, which is a fuel cell breathalyzer.
The use of fuel cells is occasioned by their accuracy. Apparently, European police already use fuel cell breathalyzers, which render more accurate readings because the membranes react only to ethanol and nothing else. The more molecules of ethanol in a potential driver's breath, the higher the electrical current created when they pass through the membrane. In Sweden, the unit is tuned to let the car start at readings of less than 0.2 g/l. Above 0.1 g/l, the car will start, but it lets the driver know that he shouldn't drive.
The Alcoguard can, of course, be calibrated to each country's particular limits. It will be available on the S80, V70, and XC70 models from next year, and will cost 900 euros.
Thanks for the tip, Dave!
[Source: Autoblog Green]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Daddy-O 8:26PM (9/03/2007)
now install it inside of every mercedes of every hollywood superstar. hell, even make it mandatory and only then would we be getting good use out of it.
Reply
Brian Dreggors 8:44PM (9/03/2007)
"Hey, bu-buddy...give you $20 to blow my key."
"'Kay."
I just defeated the system. Good job, everyone who thinks these things make a difference. Punish offenders harshly and step up enforcement - THAT is what works.
Reply
omar 8:54PM (9/03/2007)
As much as I love Volvo i think that this is a complete waste of time. What they need to concentrate on is making new cars that have less Ford in them. Volvo needs and 7 series rival, a X3rival, a better X5 rival, a Z3 rival. I know that this is Volvo an the cars wont be sport machines, but they will be safe, luxurious vehicles. Come on Volvo, but only so much longer you have to suffer under the rings of bullshit FOMOCO. By the end of the year you can send all of those crappy ass Ford engineers back to the US where they f*ck up cars just right. Once they are gone the Wallenbergs, owners of Investors AB, will bring the Swedish touch back to Volvo. Ford could keep a small share but no more than about 20%.
Reply
Kyle 7:29AM (9/13/2007)
Geeze buddy, chill out. Ford is not that bad. I own a 2007 V6 Mustang, and i have to say, for a massive 4.0L V6, it does dang fine! I also used to have a Volvo S70 (not the turbo) and that was a fantastic car as well. Come on dude, don't be so biased over car makers. It's stupid. The Ford GT and Shelby Cobra are AMAZING cars. So there you go, Ford isn't ALL bad. But still, some cars do stink, the Focus (yes they are reliable though) and the 500 for example. My point is, don't hate cars just because it has the blue oval on it. Coming on an auto enthusiast blog and basing an entire company using curse words and explicit language does not make you a better person. Please, if you don't have anything nice to say, then don't say anything at all.
Thanks.
PauloBecker 9:29PM (9/03/2007)
So explain to me why am I gonna pay extra money for my car NOT to let me drive?
It seems pretty obvious to me that people who are responsible enough not to drive while drunk would simply NOT drunk drive, and those who aren't (responsible enough) are just gonna pass on spending the extra 900 bucks.
Reply
Phillip 10:18PM (9/03/2007)
Just as about as useless as a spoiler on a Saturn L-series sedan, and yet it is sill an option.
As "Brian Dreggors" pointed out. Its not like the systems that courts give to repeat offenders, which is truly a near undefeatable system. This is just an image thing Volvo is putting in. Like when the Joneses say their switching to energy efficient carpets, and suddenly we all think they care.
Reply
Toyota_Luver 11:05PM (9/03/2007)
is it REALLY necessary for an automobile manufacturer to start enforcing laws? This technology is not new anyway. My company used to install this sort of equipment about 6 years ago into customer vehicles by court order. The car will not start until it confirms an alcohol content lower than set parameters. As someone else stated - it can be bypassed by ANYONE breathing into it for you. What a waste of time - I dont drink - and I damn sure dont want to have to breath into the system before the car starts. BOO FOR VOLVO!
Reply
MentallyRetired 11:08PM (9/03/2007)
I can see parents wanting this as an option so that they will know there's an extra level deterring their kids from driving if they drink.
Reply
Phillip 12:12AM (9/04/2007)
Theres always a kid or two that dont get drunk, and theres always one smart enough to know they can make money of this.
"10 bucks and Ill start your car dude"
Bryan 1:39AM (9/04/2007)
All of you do realize that if someone's friend blows clean to start the car and they are involved in an accident that seriously hurts or kills someone they are just as responsible if not more than the driver. Eventually something is going to happen, minor or not. This can also be good for people who rarely drink and think they are okay to drive. One blow and they could be like, wow, I never realized I had that much to drink, maybe I should find another way home. The simplest of things have a way of keeping the worst of things from happening. Never forget that!
Reply
i.Van 9:21AM (9/04/2007)
Here in Slovenia Volvo is not regarded as luxury marque but as good competitor in midrange lineup. I am planning to buy my first Volvo next year hopefully C30, just like the design i liked its predecessor also and i would be interested in this kind of feature in my car, usually when you are drunk you don't think you are too much drunk and you then drive. So this way i could see if i am capable or not. I don't see this a use for law enforcement but for myself. I know many see waste of money but its a good investment at least i think to prevent any accident caused by negligence. Maybe its just me i think that way :)
Reply
Justin 9:33AM (9/04/2007)
Whatever to anyone naysaying this. Of course people will get around it, but anything possibly preventing a drunken fatality is good in my book.
Lose a loved one to drunk driving and then knock this, effective or not. Drunk drivers are ridiculous assholes. This stuff should be mandated in all vehicles, whether or not it might be circumvented.
Reply
mister falcon 9:50AM (9/04/2007)
Having been the victim of a drunk driver, and an already big fan of Volvo - all I can say is that this isn't such a bad thing. Now, some would argue that this is stupid - but people said the same thing about many of Volvo's prior safety innovations in the old days. Look at the bright side - with Ford - Volvo is allowed to continue innovating and providing Ford with tech and platform advice. It's better than what GM did to Saab.
Reply
jhon 11:44AM (9/04/2007)
saab already offers this and its cheaper about 400$
http://www.autoweb.com.au/cms/A_101770/newsarticle.html
Reply
PacMan 2:21PM (9/04/2007)
You are all idiots. This is not the same as the thing Drunk Drivers get in their cars. You dont have to blow in it to make the car start. Its a tool to use when you need it. You use it to see if your legal to drive it wont stop you from driving. You blow, it tells you your level, thats it.
Read the whole entry:
"In Sweden, the unit is tuned to let the car start at readings of less than 0.2 g/l. Above 0.1 g/l, the car will start, but it lets the driver know that he shouldn't drive."
Its a good thing, its a tool for the driver to stay out of trouble. Not a device to keep drunk drivers off the street.
If I have a 2 beers at dinner I think it would be nice to know if I am too drunk (in the goverments eyes) to drive. 2 beers isnt worth a DUI (well either is 10 but at least then I would be expecting it) so I think its a good thing to have.
Reply
vdk 4:58PM (9/04/2007)
Excuse me, who's gonna pay 900 Euros ~ $1500 to have a second wife in their car everytime they have a beer?
Reply
emb 2:07PM (9/12/2007)
I just read an article about Nissan putting in a drunk driver detection system as well at cardevotion.com (http://cardevotion.com/Article/223/headline.html?ref=st) and I find both concepts in general VERY exciting. How skeptical can some of you be? Seatbelt and hands-free cell phone laws are also for our safety and look how cars have adapted to these... seems obvious right? Well then why shouldnt something so accident causing as a drunk driver be protected from causing and receiving harm by their own vehicle as well??? Sure the systems are basic and premiums are high as of now, but the mere fact they exist will push other car companies to improve the tech at lower costs for no other reason but to compete. But in the end, the road becomes safer for us all! So why are we arguing again? Driving and cars are not birth rights people. Now we just need to get the dmv to deny down-right horrible drivers from getting liscensed and we'll really be making progress.
Reply