Inspiration With the rise of accidents caused by drunk driving, I wanted to create a solution that could prevent intoxicated individuals from operating a vehicle. Inspired by the significant impact of safety innovations like Volvo’s seat belt, my goal is to develop a device that would become a standard in all vehicles, enhancing road safety globally.
What it does The Ignition Interlocking Device prevents the vehicle from starting if the driver is intoxicated. It uses an alcohol sensor (MQ3) to measure breath alcohol content, facial recognition to verify the driver, and CO2 detection to ensure the driver is actively taking the test. If all criteria are met, the ignition is unlocked, allowing the vehicle to start.
How I built it I used a combination of hardware and software. The MQ3 alcohol sensor assesses breath alcohol content, while the MG811 CO2 sensor ensures the validity of the test. A facial recognition system using OpenCV verifies the identity of the driver. The hardware components, including a Raspberry Pi, ESP32, and a MOSFET, control the system’s operations, unlocking the ignition if the driver passes the test.
Challenges I ran into Some challenges included false positives from substances like hand sanitizers or mouth fresheners, which affected the alcohol sensor. Additionally, ensuring seamless communication between the Raspberry Pi and ESP32 and managing continuous verification during the drive presented technical hurdles.
Accomplishments that I'm proud of I successfully implemented a reliable alcohol detection system that was accurate and consistently detected BAC levels. The facial recognition software performed with high accuracy, and I was able to create a system that continuously verified the driver throughout the journey, ensuring the same person who passed the test remained at the wheel.
What I learned Through this project, I learned how to integrate multiple sensors and systems to create a comprehensive safety device. I also gained insights into user behavior, privacy concerns, and the importance of encryption in managing sensitive data such as facial recognition and alcohol levels.
What's next for Ignition Interlocking System My next steps include refining the prototype based on expert feedback and testing it in real-world scenarios. I plan to explore how the system can be integrated directly into vehicles, collaborate with commercial vehicle vendors, and work towards government regulations to make such systems mandatory in all cars. Additionally, I aim to customize the device to meet the legal requirements in different countries.
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