Takata Unit Working On New Drunk Detection For Cars
Auburn Hills-based TK Holdings Inc., the North American subsidiary of Japan's Takata Corp., has announced a new partnership with Albuquerque, N.M.-based TruTouch Technologies for a non-invasive alcohol detection product for the auto industry.
TK says new technology makes it possible to measure a potential driver's intoxication level by qukckly analyzing light reflected from a person's skin. That technology will be adapted and integrated for use in cars, potentially saving thousands of lives a year. (Alcohol was a factor in almost 13,000 deaths involving automobile accidents in the United States alone during 2008.)
TK Holdings also said it would make an equity investment with TruTouch. The amount was not immediately disclosed.
The partnership is a commitment to jointly develop products and partner under Driver Alcohol Detection System for Safety and The Automotive Coalition for Traffic Safety Phase II RFP for the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration.
"We have a rich history of developing automotive safety innovations designed to save lives," said Robert Fisher, TK Holdings' executive vice president. "TruTouch has proven the capabilities and integrity of the light-based alcohol detection system, and together, we plan to integrate the user-friendly and cost-effective technology into automotive applications. This partnership will advance the commercialization of these systems, bringing us closer to our vision of a day of zero fatalities due to automotive accidents."
Added TruTouch president and CEO Richard D Gill: "This partnership will help develop our intoxication detection systems into an automotive solution, joining our current products already enjoying success in the law enforcement, oil and drilling, military and various other transportation markets."
Current and future TruTouch applications include workplace, industrial and vehicle safety systems, medical diagnostic systems, alcohol point-of-sale liability reduction systems, law enforcement systems and more. More at www.trutouchtechnologies.com.
TK and Takata are suppliers of automotive safety restraint systems, air bags, safety electronics, interior trim, and special fabrics and textile materials. More at www.takata.com.
