Android based Alcohol detection system using Bluetooth

Introduction

Drunk driving is a major cause of road accidents worldwide. According to WHO, around 1.2 million people die each year due to road traffic crashes, and a significant percentage of these are due to alcohol-impaired driving. To address this problem, this project presents an Android-based Alcohol Detection System using Bluetooth, which helps prevent intoxicated individuals from operating vehicles.

This system uses an alcohol sensor to detect alcohol levels in a person’s breath and sends the data to an Android smartphone via Bluetooth. The Android app then displays the result and can alert authorities or family members if needed.

System Overview

The system consists of two primary components:

1. Hardware Unit (Alcohol Sensing Module)
2. Software Unit (Android Application)

Block Diagram

cssCopyEdit[ MQ-3 Alcohol Sensor ] → [ Arduino / Microcontroller ] → [ Bluetooth Module (HC-05) ] ⇄ [ Android Phone (via App) ]

Components Required

Hardware:

• MQ-3 Alcohol Sensor – detects alcohol from breath.
• Arduino UNO / Nano – reads analog data from the sensor and sends it over Bluetooth.
• Bluetooth Module (HC-05) – transmits sensor data to the Android device.
• Buzzer / Relay (optional) – for alerts or vehicle control.
• Power Supply – battery or USB.

Software:

• Arduino IDE – for programming the microcontroller.
• MIT App Inventor / Android Studio – for Android app development.
• Bluetooth Terminal App (for testing, optional).

Working Principle

1. The MQ-3 sensor detects the alcohol concentration from the user’s breath.
2. The Arduino processes the analog data and converts it into digital alcohol level readings.
3. This data is transmitted through the HC-05 Bluetooth module.
4. The Android app receives this data, processes it, and displays a warning if the alcohol level is above the permissible threshold.
5. Optional features: sending an SMS alert, disabling the vehicle ignition, logging data for review, etc.

Android App Development

You can develop the Android app in two ways:

1. MIT App Inventor (Simple GUI-based method)

• Connect your app to Bluetooth.
• Display incoming serial data.
• Add conditions to trigger warnings or alerts.

2. Android Studio (Advanced)

Use Android’s Bluetooth API to:

• Connect to paired HC-05 device.
• Read incoming data.
• Show alcohol levels on-screen.
• Trigger alerts if threshold is exceeded.

Features

• Real-time alcohol monitoring.
• Bluetooth communication up to 10 meters.
• Alerts and warnings on the app.
• Optional vehicle ignition control.
• Data logging for analysis.
• Emergency contact alerts via SMS or email.

Advantages

• Prevents drunk driving and enhances road safety.
• Portable and easy to use.
• Can be extended to public transportation or commercial fleets.
• Can be integrated with smart helmets or car dashboards.

Limitations

• Accuracy depends on sensor calibration and ambient conditions.
• Bluetooth range is limited (~10m).
• Sensor life and sensitivity may degrade over time.

Future Enhancements

• Replace HC-05 with BLE for lower power consumption.
• Add GPS location tracking.
• Store readings in a cloud database.
• Integrate with vehicle control systems for automatic ignition lock.
• Use AI to predict behavior or alcohol trends over time.

Conclusion

The Android-based Alcohol Detection System using Bluetooth is a practical and low-cost solution to combat drunk driving. By leveraging mobile technology and sensors, it brings real-time monitoring to the fingertips of users and authorities. With further enhancements, this system can be a vital component in smart transportation and public safety infrastructure.