The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the world's first smartphone breathalyzer. The Breathometer instantly transforms iPhone and Android smartphones into a portable breathalyzer.
Breathalyzers test a person's blood alcohol concentration (BAC) by analyzing someone's breath after they've blown into it and the Breathometer does the same thing. Breathometer Inc. saw the need for a smartphone-compatible breathalyzer and intends to help people drink smarter and safer.
The Breathometer will not just inform users of their BAC, it will connect with local transportation services to obtain a taxi cab when necessary.
"Breathometer assists you in making smarter decisions while drinking. Nothing replaces good judgment. Don't drink and drive," reads the company's website.
Drinking and driving kills, and all deaths caused by drinking and driving are preventable. Even one drink can affect a person's ability to drive safely, since alcohol tends to alter a person's judgment. Drunk driving hits home for many across the U.S.
In conjunction with the opinion-based community, SodaHead.com, Breathometer conducted a survey. Results from respondents showed that 64 percent of them drove while intoxicated or were in a car with a driver who was under the influence. Sixty-seven percent knew someone involved in an accident involving someone under the influence and 80 percent knew someone that received a DUI (driving under the influence) or DWI (driving while intoxicated).
"Breathometer wasn't created just to address the risks associated with drinking and driving, but to help people, their friends and family, all to make smart and safer choices when consuming alcohol. Real time BAC measurement is the first step," said Charles Michael Yim, founder and CEO of Breathometer in a press release.
Breathometer is a device and mobile app all in one that plugs into the phone's headphone jack. As part of the company's Indiegogo campaign, anyone interested in Breathometer can pledge $20 to pre-order it. It's expected to launch sometime over the summer and will be available for purchase at Breathometer.com, the Apple App Store and Google Play.
