DUI Defender

Nissan unveiled a concept car intergrating “anti-drunk driving” technology. The car will be equipped with three different types of alcohol analysis, “breath odor analysis”, facial analysis and driving analysis. The breath odor analysis will be based on two separate technologies, first it will have sensors built into the shifter that will sense alcohol in sweat, second, it will have odor detectors built into the seats that will sense alcohol in the cabin. The second system for preventing drunk driving will be a facial camera mounted in the dash, it will analyze a driver’s facial movements and eyes, if the eyes start to sag or the device otherwise “thinks’ the driver is nodding off or DUI, it will communicate through the navigation system and tighten the seatbelt to get the driver’s attention. Finally, the car will analyze the driving behavior, if it “thinks” the driver is exhibiting inattention it will communicate therough the navigation and tighten the seatbelt to gain the driver’s attention.

What I am curious about is, who will buy this car? If Nissan thinks a person who drinks and drives will purchase it, I think they may be mistaken. At what levels will the car set off its warning systems? While .08 is the legal limit some States have levels at which sobriety is presumed. If a drunk driver is involved in an accident driving one of these cars, will Nissan have liability? For further information on the car click here.

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