In the USA, around 37 people daily. In 2022, there were a total of more than 13,500 deaths.
Four 11th-graders at Enloe High School in Raleigh are developing a method to prevent these tragic deaths. The students decided to get to work after learning of the 2021 death of Apex Friendly High School student Jonathan Pooley as a result of a drunk driving accident. Although they did not know Pooley personally, the news that a high school classmate had died in a drunk driving accident was a devastating blow to them.
The resulting startup, called SoberRide, will offer a multi-module breathalyzer that combines facial recognition with an AI-powered sensor to accurately measure a driver’s alcohol level. This patent-pending device is designed to be attached to a car and prevent it from running if the driver is under the influence of alcohol.
“If the device detects alcohol, the vehicle will not start,” said Swayam Shah, co-founder and CEO of SoberRide.
This year, co-founders Shah, Krithin Visvesh (CFO), Bhavik Kanumuri (CMO) and Aadi Bharadwaj (CPO) took third place in TYE Globalan annual pitch competition for young entrepreneurs. They won $750, which they used to further develop their product.and became a global competitor in Silicon Valley.
SoberRide stands out from the rest
While there are already ignition interlocks designed to prevent drunk driving, SoberRide differs by incorporating a facial recognition component. This ensures that the breathalyzer test is performed on the driver and not a passenger or friend. Facial recognition also detects redness, pupil dilation, and other factors that may be signs of drunkenness or impairment.
AI features further enhance the product. In particular, they assess the driver’s age and take into account the time of day to draw a more accurate conclusion regarding the driver’s sobriety.
“After gathering all of these inputs, (the device) will best make a decision: Is this driver drunk or sober? Is it safe to drive or not?” Bharadwaj said. And based on those assessments, SoberRide will determine whether the car can be started or not.
The current price for the device is $104.99.
The founders are also developing an app that connects to the device. With a $10-a-month subscription, parents will have access to location tracking, additional features to improve AI accuracy, and ride-sharing services that serve as an alternative to driving under the influence.
The way to the future
To develop their prototype, SoberRide’s founders 3D printed some parts at The Forge Initiative in Apex. They also used jumper cables and a camera part purchased from Amazon, as well as materials from their respective homes.
Once the product is officially launched, the startup plans to hire contract manufacturers to streamline the process.
SoberRide launched a customer validation survey and received over 800 responses, many of which came from parents of teens. The founders plan to begin beta testing with parents in early 2025.
“Many parents were excited about the idea because obviously this is (an everyday problem),” Visvesh said.
SHORT SCIENCE
Start-up: SoberRide
Co-founders: Swayam Shah (CEO), Krithin Visvesh (CFO), Bhavik Kanumuri (CMO) and Aadi Bharadwaj (CPO)
Year of foundation: 2023
Location: Cary/Apex
Website: sober-ride.com
Financing: Bootstrap
Team size: 4
The founders said they hope to eventually expand SoberRide to the original equipment manufacturing (OEM) market, which consists of companies that make parts sold by other companies. They’ve already received feedback in discussions with automakers Ford and Rivian, and insurance companies State Farm and Allstate.
In particular, the emergence of SoberRide’s products also align with aspects of the Biden administration’s Federal Infrastructure Act, all new cars require From 2026, all products will have technology to detect drunk driving.
Kanumuri said SoberRide hopes to initially target two million vehicles per year – a figure derived from the number of vehicles Ford and Rivian produce annually in the U.S.
The founders invite potential customers and investors to contact them by email at [email protected].
