Samsung is proposing a voice-controlled car with a difference (EP 828 240).
The dashboard uses standard voice-recognition circuitry to respond to phrases
such as “start engine”. But a sample of the driver’s speech, when sober, is also
stored. When the driver talks to the car, a comparator looks for any sign of a
slur. If the verdict is “sober”, the engine springs into life. If “drunk”, a
speech synthesiser warns: “Please don’t drink and drive as you are putting your
life and property at risk.” The car refuses to start until the driver has
sobered up.
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