Developing new safety equipment by applying technology that has a proven track record at major mass retailers
Seamless Technology Co., Ltd. (Head office: Naka-ku, Yokohama; CEO: Mitsuhiro Iida) has announced a retrofit alcohol interlock system to prevent drunk driving. Until now, the company has provided in-vehicle security through its Z-GUARD series, which has been adopted by major car accessory retailers. The new product leverages this solid technological foundation while enabling simple connection and setup via Bluetooth communication. It was developed as an in-vehicle safety solution that can be implemented at low cost. Until now, measures against drunk driving have been hurdles in terms of cost and installation, and many companies and individuals have hesitated to implement them, but this new product will significantly lower those barriers.
Based on the high reliability and reliable control technology cultivated by Z-GUARD, the system aims to be easy for anyone to use, and will be a step towards reducing the risk of drunk driving, which remains deeply rooted in society.
Easy installation with Bluetooth and proprietary control, no vehicle modifications required, and quick installation
The main feature of this alcohol interlock system is that it is based on a Figaro Giken Bluetooth alcohol checker and connects to a smartphone or dedicated remote control, eliminating the need for complicated wiring work.By combining Seamless Technology’s proprietary SecureSWITCH and SecureFUSE, it is possible to reliably control the vehicle without modifying the engine start circuit or power supply system.
If the alcohol test results in a level above the standard, the system will electrically block the vehicle from starting. Compared to existing products, which require a long installation time, this system significantly reduces installation time and also leads to reduced implementation costs. Another attractive feature is that the device itself is compact and can be installed without taking up much space by linking it to a smartphone or remote control.
The company says that this system “enables highly accurate and safe measures against drunk driving while keeping initial costs down,” and is considering smooth implementation in corporate vehicles as well as for personal use.
Two configurations available depending on your needs: centralized management via smartphone or remote control operation
Two types of system configurations are available depending on the usage scenario. One is a smartphone-linked type that allows for integrated management of everything from alcohol testing to history management and interlock control using a smartphone app. Test results can be recorded and transmitted, and when managing multiple vehicles such as company cars or commercial vehicles, it makes it easy for managers to grasp the situation remotely.
The other is a remote-controlled type, suitable for field vehicles or personal use that want simple operation without using a smartphone. Both configurations use a Bluetooth alcohol checker made by Figaro Giken to accurately measure breath alcohol concentration. If the breath alcohol concentration exceeds the limit, the vehicle will not be able to start, preventing drunk driving.
It can be introduced in a variety of situations, including company and commercial vehicles, as well as transportation and logistics vehicles, welfare and shuttle vehicles, construction machinery and special vehicles, and commercial motorcycles, and is said to be effective in raising awareness among individuals that “you cannot drive if you have been drinking.”
SDK provided for easy integration with existing systems, a new step towards road safety
The company plans to begin offering a development kit (SDK) in the future to enable flexible integration with existing fleet management systems and in-vehicle systems. The SDK is expected to cost 80,000 yen (excluding tax) and will include evaluation hardware such as Figaro Giken’s Bluetooth alcohol tester and SecureSWITCH/SecureFUSE, as well as technical documentation and development sample code. This will make it easier to integrate data with existing fleet management apps and in-house tools, helping to build more advanced drunk driving prevention solutions.
Building on the trust built up in the in-vehicle security of the Z-GUARD series, Seamless Technology positions this new product as “social problem-solving technology that combines safety and ease of use.” In order to reduce accidents and tragedies caused by drunk driving, the aim is to use the power of technology to make the rule “if you drink, you can’t drive” a familiar rule to as many people as possible. Going forward, the challenge of bringing new peace of mind to the transportation society will continue.
