Automotive Coalition for Traffic Safety, Inc. (ACTS),

 a Virginia non-profit, announced that the first product equipped with new alcohol detection technology will be available for open-source licensing in commercial vehicles for the first time ever, in late 2021.

The new technology is the result of extensive research, development and testing by the 

, which is a public–private partnership between ACTS, which represents the world’s leading automakers, and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The announcement is significant because it is the first time a product equipped with DADSS technology will come out of the lab and into commercial vehicles. It is also a major milestone in the Program’s quest to create a fully passive, non-invasive alcohol detection system that could have major implications in the fight to eliminate drunk driving. Unlike existing breathalyzers or interlocks, the DADSS technology can be seamlessly integrated into vehicles so there is no physical hardware in the vehicle cabin. A consumer version is still under development and is expected by 2024.

“Open-source licensing” means that the technology, which measures a driver’s breath alcohol concentration, will be made available to any product integrator for preparation into fleet vehicles — whether it be government vehicles, rental cars, transportation vehicles, trucking companies, etc.

ACTS will begin licensing the DADSS technology to product integrators now, and a device equipped with the breath technology will be made available in late 2021. The technology was originally scheduled to be released in 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic caused significant disruption in supply chains which limited microchip availability.

“The availability of DADSS technology is an exciting moment in motor vehicle safety history and a victory for scientific innovation,” 

said Robert Strassburger, President & CEO of ACTS.

 “After extensive testing, we are proud to say that a product ‘powered by DADSS’ is coming this year. We hope this announcement will heighten awareness and interest in the DADSS technology, so we can hit the ground running when the first product is available later this year.

“DADSS technology will be a game changer in the fight to eliminate drunk driving, and that is why we continue to push ourselves to expedite the development of a system for consumer vehicles. This sophisticated technology — measuring a driver’s precise BAC in less than a second — is a true feat of biomedical and vehicle engineering. It is unlike anything ever designed for vehicles and requires further development to become fully passive for consumer use.”

“This achievement was made possible thanks to so many individuals who believe in the life-saving mission of DADSS and who worked tirelessly to get a product to market,” 

said Dr. Bud Zaouk, DADSS Program & Technical Manager.

 “We’re already hard at work preparing the technology for future use in consumer vehicles and are currently in the next phase of testing to ensure the systems are fast, accurate, reliable and seamless for drivers. As a father, I’m personally excited to help build a safer world for my young children and for all parents who want to protect their loved ones with this technology.”

In the first-generation system, drivers provide a puff of breath directed towards a small sensor, which can be outfitted in the steering column or side door trim. Because it is designed for fleet operators implementing a zero-tolerance alcohol policy for their drivers, staff or employees, the system will give a “pass/fail” reading of the driver’s breath alcohol concentration. The first products integrated with DADSS technology are being manufactured by 

, a global leader in infrared gas measurement technology. More about the first-generation technology can be found 

, the first-generation system has undergone in-vehicle, on-road test trials with 

, a Richmond-based company. Since the partnership began in 2018, technology integrators have installed breath sensors into the company’s Ford Flex commercial vehicles; the data and feedback collected from the sensors, as well as from the drivers themselves, have been invaluable in finalizing the technology and preparing it for more widespread use in fleet vehicles.

The next-generation system being developed for widespread use in consumer vehicles is designed to be fully passive and will be able to measure specific alcohol concentrations up to 0.08% — the legal limit in most states — and above. It will not require a directed breath or other action, as the driver breathes normally into sensors outfitted in the steering column or side door trim. The system is being designed to take an accurate reading in a matter of seconds and will be able to tell the difference between a driver and any passengers. Extensive human subject testing in a hospital setting and human subject driving is ongoing and required to ensure the technology meets the exceptionally high standards required for accuracy, precision and reliability before it can be made available for consumers.

A comparison of the two systems can be found 

New iterations of the technology are expected to be announced in the coming years.

The Driver Alcohol Detection System for Safety (DADSS) Program is a public-private partnership between the Automotive Coalition for Traffic Safety (ACTS), which represents the world’s leading automakers and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Public-private partnerships like DADSS have led to innovations that enhance our everyday lives, such as the Internet, GPS and the microchip. The Program is researching a first-of-its-kind technology called the alcohol detection system that will detect when a driver is impaired with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at or above 0.08%, and prevent a vehicle from moving. The Commonwealth of Virginia’s Department of Motor Vehicles has joined this program to support on-road testing and increase public awareness and acceptance of the technology through the Driven to Protect Initiative. For more information about the DADSS Program, visit 

Today, ACTS announced  the first product equipped with new alcohol detection technology from the DADSS Research Program will be available for open-source licensing in commercial vehicles for the first time ever, in late 2021.

New Alcohol Detection Technology From DADSS Coming to Commercial Vehicles This Year

On March 30th, Driven to Protect hosted the second webinar in the 

. Attendees were able to learn about how the DADSS alcohol detection technology can support fleet operators in furthering their safe driving goals while helping to eliminate drunk driving.

KEA Technologies President and CEO Dr. Bud Zaouk

 gave an in-depth look at how the alcohol detection technology works, and the importance of the development and testing process

. Impact Research, LLC Senior Research Scientist Dr. Rebecca Spicer 

provided insights into the critical role the technology plays in reducing roadway injuries and fatalities, particularly for fleets. And 

James River Transportation (JRT) President Stephen Story

 shared his perspective as Driven to Protect’s first fleet partner, highlighting the essential role JRT has played in collecting data from the sensors and the benefits of the technology for all fleets.

After learning about the importance of fleet partnerships in furthering the development of the life-saving technology, attendees had the opportunity to ask questions of the experts and hear more about the ways fleets have already impacted safe driving efforts in Virginia. 

George Bishop, deputy commissioner of the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles

, moderated this Q&A with the panel of experts.

Click here to view the full webinar recording

Resources

Driven to Protect VA

Recent Updates