October 18th, 2005
The Sobrietor Can Tell if You’re Sober When You Call
By Alice Hill
RealTechNews
We told you not to drink and dial. A new device called “the Sobrietor” allows a law enforcement agency to remotely monitor someone’s alcohol level over the phone. First, the person registers their voice, and then the monitoring service and device matches their voice, takes a reading, and then sends the measurement data over the phone line. We say: Aside form being a scary big brother gadget and not a fun party thing, or a please don’t drive home thing, why does it send data via the phone? Can’t it at least have a high speed option?
Sobrietor uses a powerful combination of advanced voice recognition technology and alcohol content measurement to provide one of the most reliable and accurate alcohol monitoring systems available today. At scheduled or random intervals, the client simply follows voice prompts given by Sobrietor. Sobrietor verifies the identity of the client using advanced voice verification technology. Sensors ensure that the client maintains contact with Sobrietor throughout the duration of the test, preventing one person from passing the voice identification test and someone else from taking the alcohol test. The Sobrietor breath test measures the client’s Breath Alcohol Content (BrAC), which is directly proportional to the client’s blood alcohol content. The client’s intoxication level is reported to a monitoring computer over telephone lines. In addition, Sobrietor monitors and reports interruptions in telephone connectivity or power as well as any attempts to tamper with the device. Source: BI via Red Ferret
Roy says:
This is hardly new. I know people who were required to use a Sobrietor back in 2002, and got the distinct impression that it had been in service for some time even then. As for the phone-line requirement, well… high-speed connections weren’t very widespread when the unit was introduced, and there’s a certain intimidation value in requiring the phone connection. It actually acts as a de facto house arrest in some cases, where a person is awaiting trial and though not officially confined, they must be present for 3-4 daily tests. They are also required to yield the phone line to the Sobrietor (which can make internet usage a little dicey, unless they have DSL or cable).
October 19th, 2005 at 6:36 am
mark says:
are there or have there been any bogus readings from this device reported due to working with chemicals, adheasives excetera?? I had a four month house arrest and had a positive reading and never drank anything
January 27th, 2006 at 8:21 am
lynda desrocher says:
what is the percent that it is correct or not and i would also like to know if hairspray or cologne you wear effect this machine?
November 5th, 2007 at 1:01 pm
JESSICA BAEZ says:
Can the sobrietor tell if someone has been useing drugs to? Or is it only for alcohol?
March 2nd, 2008 at 2:19 pm
c70ac5da56e4 says:
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May 10th, 2008 at 6:21 am
heidi says:
how do you know if your breath test is positive
June 24th, 2008 at 10:49 am
Nicole Brown says:
I would like to know if the sobrietor will give an positive reading if you are on insulin and take the med close to the time for you blow my husband has blown bab a few timws
June 30th, 2008 at 1:23 pm