Alcohol sniffer helmet, Guardian among IIT student innovations

A helmet that lets bikers start their vehicles only after analysing the alcohol content of their breath and a safety device for women are among several innovative projects created by students from various IITs.
Out of 67 student projects submitted, only five made the cut to the finals for the 'Ericsson Innovation Awards' held recently at the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi here.
Inaugurated last year, the awards, which are presented by Ericsson in association with the Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer, seek to promote and recognise the spirit of innovation within the IITs.
Advanced Breathanalyser Helmet by IIT (BHU), which works on bluetooth encryption technology, was designed keeping in mind increased incidents of drunk driving and bike thefts.

"It makes it mandatory for the driver to wear his helmet and have a tolerable alcohol level in his breath so as to start his vehicle," says a student innovator.
"The helmet analyses the alcohol content in the driver's breath and directs the vehicle through a wireless signal to start or stop accordingly."

A safety device for women 'Guardian' was the winning project by IIT Delhi.
The device addresses the problem that came along with almost every women safety application launched following the infamous December 16 gangrape incident - all of them were dependent on the availability of internet connection.

None of the applications suggested what was to be done if one was attacked in an area where there was no internet connection.