AlcoSense
 | |
| Industry | Alcohol testing solutions, Breathalysers |
|---|---|
| Founded | UK 2007 |
| Founder | Hunter Abbott |
| Headquarters | Maidenhead, UK |
| Products | AlcoSense Lite, AlcoSense Elite, AlcoSense Pro, AlcoSense Ultra, AlcoSense Singles, AlcoSense Singles NF |
| Parent | Now Group UK Ltd |
| Website | AlcoSense.co.uk |
AlcoSense is both a company and brand name for alcohol breathalysers, to test user alcohol levels.
The company was founded in the UK in 2007 and manufactures and distributes breathalysers for consumers and businesses. It is part of Now Group UK Ltd, which is owned and operated by racing driver and entrepreneur Hunter Abbott.[1]
AlcoSense has won multiple awards for its products and its efforts to improve road safety in the UK. Among these are Brake's Road Safety Awards,[2] What Car? Magazine's Best breathalyser recommendations,[3] and the 2011 Sunday Times Gadgets for Drivers Top 100 Tech List.[4]
In June 2014, AlcoSense founder Hunter Abbott was awarded the Brake's Kevin Storey Award for Outstanding Commitment to Road Safety.[5]
In March 2016 the AlcoSense Pro and AlcoSense Ultra were awarded the prestigious Red Dot Design award, an international distinction for excellent product design.
Products
AlcoSense consumer products include a range of reusable battery operated breathalysers and a single-use disposable breathalyser, launched in 2012.
In July 2012 it became a legal requirement in France to carry a breathalyser in all vehicles. AlcoSense launched a disposable breathalyser specifically for use in France: the AlcoSense Singles NF, certified to meet all French specifications.[6] In 2015 AlcoSense launched the AlcoSense Pro and in 2016 the AlcoSense Ultra. Both use fuel cell sensors. The AlcoSense Ultra uses the same fuel-cell sensor as several police breathalysers; while the AlcoSense Pro uses a smaller version of the same censor. They contained a number of unique new features that advise the user if they are blowing correctly, provided an estimated time until sober, and they can work with any drink-drive limit anywhere in the world. By selecting a country from a pre-loaded list, the unit will automatically set itself up to the local drink-drive limit.
Corporate ownership
AlcoSense is a trademark of Now Group UK Ltd, owned and operated by the racing driver and entrepreneur, Hunter Abbott.
Awards and recommendations
AlcoSense has won several awards and recommendations for its products.
- 2016 the AlcoSense Pro and AlcoSense Ultra was awarded the Red Dot design award.
- 2015 both the Sunday Times Driving section and the Daily Telegraph Lifestyle section reviewed and recommended the AlcoSense Pro [7]
- 2014 AlcoSense Managing Director Hunter Abbott was awarded the Brake charity's Kevin Storey Award for Outstanding Commitment to Road Safety.[8]
- 2013 ITV’s This Morning: AlcoSense was recommended by Dr Chris Steele, resident show Doctor [9]
- 2012 Channel 5 Fifth Gear: the AlcoSense Elite was the only breathalyser to match the readings for the police breathalyser and reviewed as “Incredibly accurate”[10]
- 2011 What Car? Magazine Best breathalyser under £100 – AlcoSense Elite[11]
- 2011 What Car? Best breathalyser under £40 – AlcoSense Lite
Endorsements
AlcoSense products have also been endorsed by former Formula One racing driver Stirling Moss.[12]
British Touring Car Championship
In June 2014 AlcoSense was selected as the Official Alcohol Testing Partner for the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship. The BTCC is the first major racing series to introduce mandatory testing for drivers and senior officials.
Partnerships
AlcoSense has working partnerships with a number of automotive institutions, including:
- The Automobile Association (AA)[13]
- RAC Ltd[14]
- Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM)[15]
- the leading road safety charity Brake[16]
- Transport Research Laboratory (TRL)[17]
- Direct Line.[18]
- Honda UK
References
- ↑ "Companies House website".
- ↑ "AlcoSense awards".
- ↑ "Breathalyser review - Introduction - What Car?". Whatcar.com. 2011-11-24. Retrieved 2014-07-06.
- ↑ "Sunday Times 'Gadgets for Drivers'". The Sunday Times. 20 November 2011.
- ↑ "Brake announces winners of 2014 Fleet Safety Awards". Fleet News. 2014-06-09. Retrieved 2014-07-06.
- ↑ "Halfords website AlcoSense products page". www.halfords.com.
- ↑ http://www.driving.co.uk/news/products-alcosense-pro-breathalyser/ 18 December 2015 and http://www.telegraph.co.uk/cars/news/alcosense-pro-breathalyser-review/ 24 December 2015
- ↑ "Brake awards".
- ↑ "ITV This Morning". 12 December 2012.http://www.motoring.co.uk/car-news/drink-drive-casualties-hit-10-000_51707
- ↑ "Fifth Gear, Channel 5 television". 2 February 2009.
- ↑ "Breathalyser review - Introduction - What Car?". Whatcar.com. 2011-11-24. Retrieved 2014-07-06.
- ↑ "Sir Stirling Moss partners list". Retrieved 29 October 2013.
- ↑ "AA". AA website. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
- ↑ "RAC". RAC website. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
- ↑ "IAM issues 'morning after' drink drive warning". Road Safety GB. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
- ↑ "Brake corporate supporters". Brake. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
- ↑ "Over 7.7 million drink drive by relying on old wives tales". Direct Line Group. Retrieved 9 December 2013.
- ↑ Batchelor, James. "Body size is no guide to passing morning-after breathalyser". AOL UK Ltd. Retrieved 5 January 2013.