In-car fingerprint scanner keeps drunks, thieves from starting your car
By Darren Murph 
posted Dec 16th 2008 8:11AM
posted Dec 16th 2008 8:11AM
How's this for dual purpose? Zhao Wencai and Li Zhoumu, two graduate students at the China University of Geosciences, have concocted a prototype device which checks for two important bits of information before allowing a car to start. First, it scans your fingerprint to make sure you're on the authorized driver database; second, it takes a long, hard look (okay, so maybe 20 seconds isn't all that long) at the sweat on your digit to determine just how sober or inebriated you are. There's no telling when this will hit motorcars en masse, but we'd say the whole thing needs to get a whole lot smaller before it's a viable option.[Via Wired]
" but we'd say the whole thing needs to get a whole lot smaller before it's a viable option."
Not if the court orders you to install one. Then the bigger and more embarrassing, the better.
Audi A8 has been available with a fingerprint reader since about 2003.
I love how the courts find ways to keep Drunk Driving killers on out streets...
How about revoking the license for life?
@iCandy,
So how is taking away someone's license going to stop them from driving exactly? Especially when they are drunk.
what if I knock back an entire keg of beer and then place a very thin sheet of transparent paper over my fingertip before the scan?
Sounds like Gattaca
As mentioned above, they've had fingerprint scanners in certain luxury cars for a while now. The problem is, when a thief wants your car, now he cuts off your thumb too!
Great, now the car jacker will cut off your finger
besides, if they really want your car they come with a flatbed.
What we need is capital punishment for car theft...
Lopping off a finger is a pretty easy way around this device but it does raise the bar for carjackers. Although it would make them easier to pick out....if someone runs up to your car with pruning shears....get the hell out of there!
Really???
Capital punishment for car theft, life-long revocation of your driving license for drunk driving? Ever heard of second chances, Nazi?
Tell that to little Timmy and little Mary when some drunk wretch in a 1-ton mows down their parents standing on the sidewalk...
many people use public transportation, and no I do not believe in second chances.
@iCandy
I feel sorry for you, and your narrow mindedness.
I have no sympathy for repeat criminal offenders...
If you fail at life you do have the right to commit suicide...
iCandy, will you marry me?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LA4Xx5Noxyo
skip to 2:20.
Was also thinking of that. But maybe this scanner also scans the upperside of your finger?
So now the thief has to steal your keys... and your finger.
And what if you in a freakish accident chop of your fingers, have no fingers to scan, and are prevented from driving to the hospital?
u pick up ur finger then put it in the box before placing it in ice.
what was you gunna do? leave ur finger behind?
If they are chopped in hundreds of small pieces, yes.
Wood chippers are common this time of year.
Don't forget the 20 seconds waiting for your finger sweat to be analyzed. That's 20 seconds that you could be driving to the hospital... Hopefully, during the process of shrinking this technology down, they also speed it up.
What happens if you put your penis in there?
It won't recognize..it has a minimum size of recognition....
Wish it was a scanner not a cigarette lighter!
some one could stick something "else" in there ahuahuauhu
This article photo makes me feel dirty
Yeah.. looks like she's giving it "the shocker"
Fear is the mind killer
ding, winner
"In-car fingerprint scanner keeps drunks, thieves from starting your car"
What does Engadget have against "and"
"And" killed Engadget's father - and raped its mother!
It's best not to bring it up.
So now when you go to pick up your drunk girlfriend you have to avoid holding hands with her or the car won't start as you have her sweat on your hand?
For non-drinkers this would be quite insulting, and unacceptable, not everybody is a drinker you know, nor a thief.
Wow. I can see it now , The next Need for Speed film,
"Quick, Get the engine started and lets go."
A long awkward pause for 20 seconds while the system does its thing.....
"Error, You have to much alcohol in your blood, Please refrain from driving."
What an awesome idea this is though.
does this prevent hot wiring the car?
Drunk or not I think my Taurus is safe.
If I were you, I wouldn't go around bragging about how I drive a '94 Ford Taurus.
Did she have to use the MIDDLE finger to activate it?
She's giving the unit a message.
So whats different from using a Breathalyzer system for the drunks? For car jackers, hmmm, don't drive an expensive car in a bad area?
Are these exact enough? What happens when you can't start your car?
That would DRIVE me crazy - it's a short drive!!
So what happens when a friend that went out to the bars with you who wasn't drinking was asked to drive your car, but wasn't in the database?
Did anyone see the MythBusters when they got around fingerprint scanning door locks? I wonder if their techniques would also apply to this.
For those that didn't see it - they were able to use a photocopy of a finger print to get around the scanner... I wouldn't want something like that protecting my stuff!
Great idea. Now combine this with something that prevents the driver from using a cellphone while the car is moving and you've got something REALLY worthwhile.
First comment on the girl! She is HOT!!
Wow! Does it have to be the middle finger in the hole?
That or you could use the two finger trick. LoL. ;)
Anyone else turned on by that picture?
Liquor + Finger + Hole = Oooooohh going porno in a car.
We should copy them and manufacture it here, do both poorly and sell it to them.... we will stamp them "Made in Paybacks a Bitch"