en.Wedoany.com Reported - French startup Ethylowheel showcased EthyloKey at VivaTech, a 25-gram, induction-charging keychain device that analyzes gases released by the skin to replace traditional breathalyzers. The product has sold over 2,000 units in 60 countries, achieved €300,000 in revenue in the first quarter of 2026, and is currently undergoing a funding round.
Julie Bruguière, co-founder and chemical and biological engineer, stated that the death of a classmate in a drunk driving accident prompted her to take action. She and her partner Jaime received an innovation fund in 2020, disbursed in four installments, to support R&D until the end of 2023, followed by support from the public incubator IncubAlliance Paris-Saclay. When alcohol is consumed, part of it is excreted through the skin. EthyloKey captures these skin gases using gas, temperature, and humidity sensors, and processes them in real time with artificial intelligence to correlate them with blood alcohol concentration. To validate the algorithm, the founders collaborated with the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) to reproduce the skin alcohol excretion process in the lab and test the sensors on volunteers. Results showed an error rate of 5%, lower than the 8% allowed for law enforcement breathalyzers and far below the 20% error rate allowed for supermarket testers.
The test takes 20 seconds, with results displayed via color codes: green indicates a blood alcohol concentration below 0.2 g/L, orange between 0.2 and 0.5 g/L, and red above 0.5 g/L. The company also developed the Ethylo App, offering test history, wait time estimation, and reaction tests, with the most popular feature being "Party Mode," which continuously tests a designated driver throughout the night. The device costs €135, equivalent to less than €3 per month over a 5-year lifespan, and requires 1 hour for induction charging. Initial deliveries are expected between September and October 2026.
Ethylowheel plans to add detection of substances such as cannabis and cocaine via firmware updates, without replacing physical components. In the medical field, this electronic nose could be used in the future for early warnings of hypoglycemia or epileptic seizures. The company currently holds a CE mark and aims to achieve medical device status to enter the pharmacy and law enforcement markets. Validation protocols are being prepared in collaboration with La Timone Hospital in Marseille. Since the Johanna incident in early 2025 (a girl died in a bus accident caused by a drunk and drugged driver), the company has also been in contact with the Ministry of Transport. To fund its next steps, Ethylowheel is seeking €1 million in financing. The company manufactures in Brittany, has operations in 60 countries including the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom, and is in advanced discussions with distributors in Canada and Japan.
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