Tag: road

EthyloKey: World’s First Touch-Based Alcohol Detector

Ethylowheel is proud to announce the upcoming Kickstarter launch of EthyloKey, a new category of pocket-sized, contact-based alcohol-awareness device designed to help users better understand their alcohol consumption before driving — effortlessly, discreetly, and responsibly.

Launching on Kickstarter on January 8, 2026, EthyloKey combines patented sensor technology, thoughtful product design, and intuitive real-time feedback to support alcohol awareness in everyday life – without mouthpieces, forced blowing, or socially awkward gestures.

Why EthyloKey?

Most people don’t use a breathalyzer when they should – not because they don’t care, but because existing tools are inconvenient, embarrassing, or impractical in real-life situations. Devices designed for enforcement or professional use rarely fit into everyday social moments.

Alcohol awareness should be as simple and natural as checking the time. It should happen before getting behind the wheel – quietly, quickly, and without friction.

EthyloKey was created to remove those barriers and turn prevention into a simple habit – empowering individuals to pause, reflect, and make more informed decisions, while remaining fully responsible for their choices.

Simple, Visual Guidance

With a brief finger touch, users receive color-coded indicative feedback designed to support understanding and self-evaluation. This guidance helps users assess whether they may be above commonly accepted legal limits, depending on context and local regulations.

🟢   Green – Lower alcohol presence detected
 🟠 Orange – Elevated alcohol presence detected

 🔴 Red – High alcohol presence detected
 🔵 Blue – Test could not be completed

EthyloKey is discreet, eco-conscious, and shareable, making it suitable for both personal and everyday social use.

A New Approach to Alcohol Awareness

Traditional breathalyzers have remained largely unchanged for decades: bulky, slow, and poorly adapted to everyday use.

EthyloKey explores a different approach by leveraging insensible perspiration of ethanol – a natural phenomenon where trace amounts of alcohol are released through the skin after consumption. Using a patented sensor system and proprietary algorithms, EthyloKey analyzes ethanol vapors at the skin surface and provides indicative, real-time guidance to help users evaluate their situation before driving.

EthyloKey is designed as a prevention and awareness tool, not as a certified breathalyzer, medical device, or law-enforcement instrument.

How It Works

  • Capture
     Ethanol vapors emitted through the skin are captured within a controlled micro-volume.
  • Detection
     Specialized gas sensors analyze the concentration of ethanol vapor.
  • Interpretation
     Proprietary machine-learning algorithms translate these signals into indicative alcohol-awareness feedback, delivered in seconds.

Laboratory testing against certified breathalyzers has shown consistent correlation patterns, with a short detection delay compared to breath-based methods.

Smart, Connected & Adaptive

EthyloKey connects via Bluetooth to a companion mobile app (iOS & Android), enhancing the experience with:

  • Alcohol awareness history 
  • Predictive alcohol curve visualization 
  • Safety reminders 
  • Multi-user profiles 
  • Adaptation of legal reference thresholds based on the user’s country or location

This connected approach allows EthyloKey to remain flexible in a world where alcohol regulations vary globally.

Design & Specifications

  • Dimensions: ~40 mm diameter × 15 mm height (1.6 in × 0.6 in)
  • Weight: ~20–30 g (0.7–1 oz)
  • Materials: Aluminum housing, stainless steel, high-grade polycarbonate
  • Battery: Rechargeable coin-cell battery with wireless charging
  • Connectivity: Bluetooth for iOS & Android apps
  • Available Colors: Space Grey and Rose Gold 

 

 

Designed for everyday carry, EthyloKey features a miniaturized, pocket-friendly form factor and a sealed, cable-free charging system.

Why It Matters

Alcohol-impaired driving remains one of the most persistent and well-documented road safety issues worldwide. According to European road safety authorities, alcohol is estimated to be involved in roughly one quarter of fatal road accidents across Europe. In the United States, data from national road safety agencies shows that alcohol-impaired driving continues to cause more than 30 deaths every day.

Despite these well-known risks, voluntary use of personal breathalyzers remains extremely limited outside of enforcement or professional settings.

The gap is not awareness — it’s usability.

EthyloKey aims to help close that gap by making alcohol awareness intuitive, accessible, and stigma-free, encouraging people to pause and reflect before getting behind the wheel.

Founder Quote

“Alcohol awareness should be simple, intuitive, and part of everyday life – not a device people avoid,”
 says Jaime Alonso, CEO and co-founder of Ethylowheel.
 “With EthyloKey, we’re introducing a new approach to prevention – designed for real life, to help people make more informed decisions without friction or judgment.”

Kickstarter Launch

EthyloKey will make its global debut on Kickstarter on January 8, 2026.
Pricing will start at $159, with limited early-bird offers available for early supporters who want to be part of this new generation of alcohol-awareness tools.

What is a Car Head-Up Display (HUD) and Why You Need One

The Future of Driving Comfort: Automotive Tech That Keeps Eyes On The Road

Every year we are provided with the latest automobile technology that continues to improve our safety and also enhance the driving experience. One of the newest features to come out is the head-up display (HUD), a feature designed to project essential information such as speed, RPMs, boost levels,  and in some models, turn-by-turn navigation directly in front of the driver. Some cars come with these displays already installed, but there are many aftermarket options for those who want to add them. Find out what a heads-up display is and why it could be a valuable addition to your driving experience.

How Does a Car HUD Work?

A heads-up display is a device that can receive data from your car’s computer and show it to you in various formats. The data is projected onto a little screen mounted in a visible area, or on the windscreen of your car, allowing you to see legible numbers and characters directly as you drive. Some advanced HUD systems even integrate smartphone features, giving you access to messages, GPS directions, and other information.

For cars that don’t come with a head-up display pre-installed, you can easily add an aftermarket system. These devices connect to your car’s computer through the OBD-II port and can be mounted using suction cups or adhesive. Many aftermarket HUDs offer even more features than factory models, letting you see the current music playing, turn-by-turn driving directions, and much more. You can find more information here about how these systems are engineered and the different features they can provide.

Why are Head-Up Displays Fitted In Cars?

Aside from being a popular feature among tech enthusiasts, head-up displays offer a number of benefits to drivers, which is making them a more prevalent feature in cars today. One of the main benefits of HUDs is that they help to keep drivers safer. Studies indicate that HUDs greatly improve safety by decreasing driver distraction, as they require less time for drivers to check important driving information. By having important information in the driver’s sight line, they can concentrate on the road.

Navigating becomes seamless and more intuitive as well. We’ve all experienced that stressful moment when we make a wrong turn and are forced to be distracted and look down at our sat nav directions to get back on the route. A head-up display eliminates the need of using a separate smartphone or GPS device, which minimises missed turns or getting lost.

Conclusion

Head-up displays (HUDs) are changing the game and making a big impact in the automotive industry. If you are in the market for a car, now is the best time to think of a vehicle with HUD technology. While it may seem like a small modification, this upgrade will significantly enhance your driving experience, giving you greater control, information, and safety on the road.

Transpoco’s 2025 Report Exposes Alarming Distracted Driving Trends in Ireland

Transpoco, one of Ireland’s leading fleet management solutions providers, today released its highly anticipated 2025 Distracted Driving Report, the first national survey of its kind, revealing that distraction behind the wheel is becoming one of the most significant road safety threats in Ireland.

The report, based on insights from over 1,000 drivers across all 26 counties, highlights the scale and impact of distracted driving, providing a stark reminder of the dangers facing Irish road users.

Key findings from the report include:

  • Frequent Risky Behaviour: 65% of drivers identified mobile phone use as the most distracting activity, while 45% admitted to experiencing near misses due to distraction.
  • Everyday Distractions: 73.1% adjust music, heating, or other vehicle settings while driving, and 41.3% eat or drink behind the wheel — showing that distractions extend beyond just phone use.
  • High-Risk Groups: Younger drivers (aged 25–34) are more confident but also more prone to risk, often underestimating the dangers of multitasking while driving.
  • Calls for Action: 51% of drivers support stricter enforcement to tackle the issue, and many are calling for simpler in-car technology and stronger workplace policies to reduce pressure on professional drivers.

“We’re at a critical point where distraction has become as dangerous as drink-driving, and the data clearly shows that urgent action is needed to protect lives,” said Jack Manning, CEO. “We need to simplify in-car technology, enforce stricter policies, and encourage safer driving habits to address this growing crisis.”

The report calls for a comprehensive approach to tackling distraction, including tougher penalties, smarter vehicle design, and better workplace support for commercial drivers.

A copy of the report can be downloaded here.

NIRA Dynamics secures continued partnership with Trafikverket for high-frequency road monitoring

NIRA Dynamics has announced that their Road Health solution will continue to be a key part of Trafikverket’s Connected Road Surface Monitoring, extending our successful collaboration in high-frequency asset management across Sweden’s road network.

After several years of evaluation, Trafikverket has awarded NIRA Dynamics a full continuation of services, recognizing our best-in-class capabilities, recognizing our best-in-class capabilities for detection of pavement damage such as potholes, winter damages due to freeze-thaw and frost damages.

This extension solidifies our role as the prime partner in modernizing Sweden’s road monitoring for both summer and winter conditions.

“We are thrilled to continue to work with Trafikverket in their mission to enhance road maintenance through high-frequency data collection. This partnership has already delivered significant improvements, and we look forward to driving even greater efficiency in road management,” says Johan Petersson, Product Manager at NIRA Dynamics.

Advancing road maintenance with connected vehicle data NIRA Dynamics’ Road Health utilizes real-time data from connected vehicles to provide unparalleled insights into road conditions. By capturing and analyzing data at high frequency, we enable road authorities to: Detect sudden road damages before they escalate into costly repairs.

Identify winter-related wear and freeze-thaw damage that impact road construction longevity.

Optimize maintenance planning with data-driven decision-making. Prevent major structural damage to the road and reduce the need for extensive resurfacing.
“The project has been a very instructive innovation journey for all parties. One of the success factors in the project was the way to prevent the gap between the development phase and the deployment phase, the “valley of death”, namely including development, evaluation and implementation in the same innovation procurement.

Beside a reliable technical solution, this approach requires suppliers with skills for cooperation, responsiveness and flexibility to adapt their solutions to the needs of the stakeholders” says Hawzheen Karim, Coproject Manager and innovation leader at InfraSweden.

New capabilities for the next phase
As part of this continuation, lane marking detection is now being introduced. This nationwide scanning feature will initially serve as a cost-effective screening tool, helping Trafikverket keep track of road markings and improve asset management.

A solution for road authorities worldwide
While this project focuses on Sweden, the benefits of high-frequency road monitoring extend far beyond national borders. NIRA Dynamics works with road authorities globally to transform road maintenance through smart, scalable, and efficient solutions.

More on the project: https://infrasweden.nu/uppkopplade-fordon-ska-hjalpa-till-att-forbattra-vagunderhallet/

Why Telematics Technology is Key to Safer Driving

In today’s world, telematics is changing how we drive. From providing real-time data to improving car insurance premiums, telematics technology is making our roads safer. If you want to understand how a telematics device can improve your driving, keep reading. Whether you’re a new driver or experienced, this technology offers many benefits. And with telematics for car insurance, safe drivers can even save money.

Before we dive in, it’s important to note that many car insurance policies are using telematics devices to offer discounts based on safe driving. So, what is the meaning of telematics, and why is it so important?

What is Telematics?

Telematics is the technology that combines vehicle data and telecommunications. It uses telematics devices to track things like speed, braking, and location. These devices collect and send real-time data from your car, helping you drive more safely.

When we talk about telematics, we mean a system that provides valuable insights into your driving behaviour. It works through a telematics control unit or an aftermarket device that monitors your vehicle’s performance. This data can then be shared with you, car manufacturers, or insurance companies.

A telematics control unit is the central part of the technology. It gathers and processes all the data from your device. This data can be sent to your smartphone app, the car manufacturer, or your insurance company.

How Telematics Improves Driving Safety

One of the biggest benefits of telematics is how it helps drivers stay safe. It collects data on driving habits and offers useful feedback. This can help identify unsafe driving patterns and offer improvement tips.

1. Real-Time Alerts

Some devices can provide real-time feedback on your driving. For instance, if you’re speeding, braking too hard, or driving aggressively, you may receive alerts from your insurer. These notifications can help you adjust your driving habits and avoid potential risks before they lead to dangerous situations or penalties. 

2. Better Data for Safer Driving

A major benefit of telematics technology is its ability to collect detailed driving data. A telematics control unit can monitor aspects like speed, acceleration, braking, and cornering. This data provides insights into your driving habits, helping you identify areas for improvement. By addressing risky behaviours early, you can make safer choices on the road and reduce the likelihood of accidents.

Telematics and Car Insurance

Telematics for car insurance is becoming more common. With a device installed, your insurance company can monitor your driving behaviour. If you drive safely, you may qualify for lower premiums. This is often known as “usage-based insurance.”

If you drive well, your insurance company sees you as less of a risk. They can offer you discounts based on your driving habits, like smooth braking and safe acceleration. This not only encourages better driving but also rewards it with lower costs.

Telematics Devices for Fleet Management

Telematics is also important for businesses with vehicle fleets. Fleet managers use telematics devices to track driver behaviour and improve safety. By monitoring things like fuel consumption and driving patterns, companies can keep drivers safe while reducing costs.

For the drivers, this means better oversight and safer working conditions. It helps prevent risky driving and ensures vehicles are running smoothly.

The Future of Driving Safety

The role of telematics technology in road safety continues to evolve. Many systems already help drivers stay informed with real-time data, and future advancements could further enhance safety. Emerging technologies may integrate these devices with features like smarter navigation and improved hazard awareness.

Looking ahead, there is potential for telematics to connect vehicles with infrastructure, such as traffic signals and road signage, to create a more seamless driving experience. While these innovations are still in development, they could pave the way for safer and more efficient journeys in the years to come.

Telematics technology is a game changer for driving safety. From real-time alerts to reduced insurance rates, telematics devices are making a big impact. Whether you’re using it to improve your driving habits or reduce your insurance premium, this technology is essential for safer driving.

As it continues to evolve, we can expect even more ways to stay safe on the road. So, if you want to improve your driving experience, telematics technology is the way to go.

Lero partners with Arm to build prototype car cameras for enhanced road safety

Lero, the Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Research Centre for Software, has today announced an innovative new partnership with Arm, the global semiconductor and software leader. The research project, valued at €566,000, is designed to explore new technologies that will enable cars to see and react to their surroundings faster, more intelligently and more effectively.

A four-year collaboration between Lero and Arm, the ARMADAS1 project is focused on the development of next-generation car camera systems. The project will explore the optimisation of artificial intelligence to enhance how vehicles perceive their surroundings.

The research is being led by Professor Patrick Denny of Lero, who is Associate Professor in Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Imaging at University of Limerick and an expert in automotive imaging.

The ambitious project is designed to help reduce road accidents by modelling advanced imaging systems for vehicles that are more responsive than existing technology.

“As car camera systems become increasingly sophisticated and AI is deployed across the vehicle, this research aims to explore the potential of smarter, more responsive imaging systems optimised for computers rather than humans. The collaboration between Lero and Arm could revolutionise the way vehicles perceive their environments by optimising cameras and sensing systems for AI processing, enabling cars to sense and react faster to their environment,” explained Prof. Denny.

“The automotive market is going through an unprecedented transformation and as part of this, we’re seeing an explosion in the demand for AI across the vehicle,” said Andy Rose, VP Technology Strategy and Fellow, Arm. “Bringing together Arm’s technical expertise and market knowledge with Lero’s internationally recognised software and computer imaging research capabilities, this project has the potential to drive exciting new developments for next-generation automotive vision systems.”

This research will benefit drivers, the public, and vulnerable road users. The project’s advancements have the potential to not only help make cars smarter but also empower chip manufacturers to develop innovative new products for this market.

DAACI Celebrates the Acquisition of Two Technology Companies with Event at Abbey Road Studios

 London, United Kingdom – Music composition system DAACI announced the acquisitions of music technology companies MXX and WiSL yesterday, with an industry event at the legendary Abbey Road Studios in London. The acquisitions are the latest step in DAACI’s journey to develop the ultimate creative AI ecosystem, unparalleled in its capabilities and committed to ethics in music, AI, and the creative industries at large.

The acquisitions position DAACI at the forefront of creative and ethical AI technology – focused on driving a tangible and mutually beneficial partnership between the two. DAACI is also now an organisation with a combined 60 granted patents, a further 20 patents filed, 65 team members, and a current annual revenue of £4.88million.

A select group of industry stakeholders attended Abbey Road Studios for the event in Studio Three, the room where legends including The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Fela Kuti, Amy Winehouse and Stormzy have recorded. The day included demonstrations and an audience with founder and inventor Dr. Joe Lyske, whose life’s work has gone into the patents and method behind this evolution. The event also punctuated the successful completion of DAACI’s incubation with Abbey Road Red, the studios’ music tech incubation programme.

DAACI’s mission is to empower composers, music makers and creatives to unlock their creativity. A key part of this is DAACI’s effort to uphold ethics at the core of its expanding creative AI ecosystem by ensuring that the tools it builds respect copyright, trademark, rights of publicity (where they exist) and Name/Image/Likeness/Voice, put artists at the centre of the creative process, and provide transparency around the data inputs used during the creative process.

With the acquisition of these two music technology firms – MXX and WiSL – DAACI takes another leap forward in powering the content of tomorrow with dynamic music AI that creates an infinite musical palette, and empowers artists and composers to fulfil any brief and tailor each composition to fit specific experiences or occasions in gaming, digital worlds, XR, or VR experiences.

Abbey Road Red has an artist and rights-first philosophy which traverses its incubation guidance. The team advises participants exploring cutting-edge content usage that it is critically important to respect copyright and intellectual property rights and obtain all necessary authorisations and licenses from rightsholders.

Rachel Lyske, CEO of DAACI, said, “This is a milestone moment for DAACI. I’m delighted to welcome MXX and WiSL to the team. We’re forging ahead in collaboration, creating an ecosystem that integrates three decades of experience and research and bridges the gap between static and responsive music creation.

“The ultimate goal is to channel our incredibly powerful ecosystem of technology to create new paths for talented individuals to express themselves. Whether you’re an experienced professional, a budding creative or anything in between, you can benefit from the processes and creative options generated by our system. I’d like to thank Abbey Road Red, the DAACI, MXX and WiSL teams and everyone involved for their incredible hard work and commitment. I’m excited for the possibilities these acquisitions bring.”

Julian Goodkind, CEO of WiSL said, “We are delighted to be joining DAACI and their team on this exciting journey. They are at the forefront of this evolution and, together, have formed a unique and robust ecosystem which truly amplifies growth for both music makers and content creators.

“It’s vitally important to us that AI technology is adopted and utilised in an ethical way, to ensure that songwriters, artists, rights holders and industry professionals continue to be the driving force at the heart of our industry.

“WiSL remains committed to its objective of creating a marketplace for access and discovery for all music, driven by a suite of AI tools which is supported by the music and content creation industry, so that together we can create a new industry standard.”

Simon White, CEO of the TMC2 Venture Studio, who have invested in all three businesses added, “We have an exceptional track record in ground-breaking adaptive AI technologies for music and media, and are thrilled to be continuing our journey as part of the world’s ultimate creative AI ecosystem.”

To find out more: www.daaci.com

Go-Ahead Ireland and Lime Partner in Driver Safety Campaign

Lime, the world’s largest shared e-bike and e-scooter provider, has announced a safety partnership with Go-Ahead Ireland (GAI). The partnership will see the two companies working together to increase awareness e-bike and e-scooter riders for Go-Ahead Ireland’s bus drivers, helping them to better navigate sharing the road ahead of the passing of e-scooter legislation next year.

Bus drivers in Go-Ahead’s Ballymount and Naas depots will be provided with practical guidance in the form of a safety manual which will provide tips and methods for drivers to safely share Irish roads safely with e-scooter riders and cyclists. The manual will include background information on e-scooters and e-bikes as new modes of green transport, as well as reminders for bus drivers on blind spots, particularly on roads where there is not dedicated cycling infrastructure.

In order for GAI bus drivers to put the programme into practice, Lime will provide e-scooters and e-bikes to the company. The vehicles will help the drivers to understand first-hand what it is like to ride an e-scooter and/or e-bike alongside buses, and how to interact on roads safely.

GAI provides all of its drivers with professional training before they begin driving on the network. This includes theory testing and NCT qualifications, and all drivers also must have Certificates of Professional Competence (CPC) cards issued by the Road Safety Authority. Drivers also receive training on the specific routes they will be driving on before entering service.

Nicole Quadrelli, Risk Manager for Go-Ahead Ireland said: “More and more people are travelling by e-bike and e-scooter, and with some bus routes do not yet have dedicated cycle lane infrastructure. It’s really important to us in GAI that we make sure all our drivers are safely and respectfully sharing the road with cyclists and e-scooter users alike. We are delighted to be partnered with Lime in anticipation of the roll out of its e-scooter sharing services in Ireland next year”.

Hal Stevenson, Lime Senior Public Affairs Manager for Ireland said: “The safety of all road users is a priority for Lime everywhere we operate, which is why we are committed to working closely with Go-Ahead Ireland, and wider stakeholders to make sure everyone feels confident sharing Ireland’s roads. Lime and GAI ultimately have the same goal, which is to shift people from their cars and onto shared, more sustainable ways of traveling like cycling, e-scooters, and public transport. Lime’s services are designed to complement public transport networks, offering first and last mile solutions to users”.

Lime is committed to ensuring e-scooter and e-bike riders understand the rules of the road and riding best practice, alongside drivers. It provides safety training to e-scooter riders via its First Ride Academy in all the cities it operates services in. This in-person course provides practical training for riders, including how to inspect scooters for safety before each journey, and how to safely ride.

Despite the fact that e-scooters are currently still not legal to use on public roads in Ireland, their popularity has been increasing in recent years. The Road and Road Traffic Bill 2021, which will allow for their use, is currently making its way through the Seanad. In the interim, and in anticipation of future sharing schemes, the partnership will help to foster a better understanding between bus drivers and e-scooter users. The partnership may also lead to the provision of Lime’s shared e-bikes to GAI employees via long term loans to encourage more sustainable commuting choices.

Lime’s partnership with GAI is part of its commitment to invest €10 million in its Irish operations as it looks to launch e-bike and e-scooter sharing schemes in towns and cities across the country. Last month Lime launched a 12-month shared e-bike pilot in Castlebar, Co. Mayo, which will see up to 100 bikes available for hire in virtual parking bays across the town. Lime also hopes to launch its e-scooter sharing service in Ireland next year following the passing of legislation and regulations to make e-scooters legal on Irish roads.