Hyundai's Steering Wheel Wants To Smell Your Breath

Hyundai's Steering Wheel Wants To Smell Your Breath

In-car breathalyzers are already a fixture for repeat offenders. Court-mandated hardware that no one would mistake for a modern driving experience. Aftermarket ignition interlocks are clumsy, easy to tamper with, and prone to contamination from sitting inside a hot car. Hyundai has filed a patent with the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office that proposes building the whole thing into the car from the factory.

The system lives in the steering wheel. According to the patent uncovered by CarBuzz researchers, drawings show a flap in the lower spoke that opens to admit breath and closes to protect the sensor when it isn't in use. A fan pulls air through to an alcohol sensor, an air outlet, and a drain meant to vent moisture and prevent mold buildup.

The detection itself is conventional. The sensor measures breath alcohol, and if you're over the set limit, the car won't start. Notably, no part of the driver's mouth touches the car, which makes it more hygienic and, Hyundai argues, easier for mechanics to service than current bolt-on units. The patent also cites a less compelling complaint about aftermarket devices - that they detract "from t...