Too Tipsy to Drive? German Suppliers Have In-Car Sensor for That

Volkswagen AG, Stellantis NV and Mercedes-Benz Group AG models may soon feature touchscreens able to test blood alcohol levels for drivers.

Two German suppliers have come up with in-built sensors to test a driver’s blood alcohol level from a fingertip, delivering results in seconds using a touchscreen sensor and AI-based analysis.

The cockpit feature, co-developed by Aumovio SE and the BASF SE start-up trinamiX GmbH, uses miniature near-infrared light pulses to sense “precisely” how much alcohol is in the body’s system, auto supplier Aumovio said Thursday.

When a finger touches the sensor, invisible light pulses out and reaches the tissue under the fingertip and any ethanol molecules there. The light that reflects back to the sensor is evaluated by AI-based methods to assess the alcohol content in the blood, according to a statement.

Drinking and driving regulations in the European Union vary by country. The upper limit for blood alcohol content ranges from zero in Czech Republic and Hungary to 0.5 grams per liter in Germany, France, Italy and Spain, according to the European Transport Safety Council. The U.K. is a notable outlier, allowing a maximum blood alcohol level of 0.8 g/l, equivalent to about four small glasses of wine.

The system’s technology has been scientifically validated and is part of a more detailed clinical study registered with the German Clinical Trials Register, taking place in November.

TrinamiX, which makes biometric- and sensor-based products for consumer and industrial electronics, was started by BASF in 2015. Europe’s biggest chemical maker appointed a new managing director for the subsidiary in January and said it was considering strategic options for the unit, including a possible sale.