Smartphones Show Promise in Detecting Alcohol Intoxication
A team of researchers, though unnamed, has been investigating the use of iPhones to detect alcohol intoxication. Their study, involving 22 adults, shows promising results.
The study, conducted on participants aged 21-43, tracked changes in walking patterns after consuming alcohol. Each participant had a drink containing enough vodka to reach a breath alcohol concentration of 0.20%.
The iPhones accurately identified when participants' breath alcohol concentration exceeded the US legal driving limit of 0.08% about 90% of the time. This was determined by having participants walk a straight line for 10 steps and turn around, repeating the process.
The study suggests that iPhones could provide real-time information about alcohol intoxication, potentially helping to reduce consumption and prevent drinking and driving. Future research will explore how iPhones can detect alcohol-related impairments when carried in different positions.
