Breathometer

Breathometer

The Breathometer was a device designed to measure blood alcohol content (BAC) from a breath sample. It was introduced to the market with the promise of providing an easy and accessible way for individuals to assess their own levels of intoxication and make informed decisions about their ability to drive or engage in other activities that could be dangerous under the influence of alcohol. The device connected to a smartphone via the headphone jack or Bluetooth and used a companion mobile app to display the BAC results.

The concept of the Breathometer gained significant public attention when its founder, Charles Michael Yim, appeared on the American television show Shark Tank in 2013. Yim successfully secured investment from all five "sharks," marking a notable moment in the show's history. This investment and the subsequent media exposure led to a surge in interest and sales for the Breathometer.

However, the Breathometer faced significant challenges and controversies. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) later charged the company with false advertising, stating that the device's accuracy was not scientifically proven and that it could potentially give users a false sense of security about their ability to drive after drinking. In 2017, the company settled with the FTC, agreeing to refund customers and cease making claims about the device's accuracy without scientific evidence.

The Breathometer case serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of rigorous product testing and validation, especially for products that have significant safety implications. It also highlights the potential pitfalls of rapid product development and scaling in response to media exposure and consumer demand without adequate underlying scientific validation.