DrnkPay is calling on wearables to curb drunken overspending

Device analyses blood alcohol levels to provide feedback
23197-original
Wareable is reader-powered. If you click through using links on the site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more

A new mobile payment system will use a fitness tracker-like band and breathalyser to help people from overspending when they're drunk.

Connecting the devices to a user's credit and debit cards through an app, DrnkPay is able to keep tabs on how much they've drunk and limit further purchases if they've had too much.

The system has been developed by iBe TSE, a financial services consultancy, which took the decision after research conducted by OnePoll revealed that half of UK alcohol drinkers aged 18-34 have regretted a purchase made when drunk.

Read this: Hydration monitoring explained

"This is a problem many of us have encountered, so we decided to create a simple solution which uses the latest technology," Francesco Scarnera, CEO of iBe TSE, said.

"Once you've hit your self-imposed limit, the app will lock your card and prevent you making further payments. It's up to you whether to block all payments, or just certain 'weak points', such as takeaways, clubs, or that flight that seems like such a great idea at 4am."

Of course, using a breathalyser to calculate how much somebody's had to drink isn't anything new, but carrying one around whenever you drink isn't for everyone. That's what makes the use of the wearable — the Quantac Tally — an interesting one, with the device able to analyse alcohol content in the user's bloodstream before syncing over to the app.

iBe TSE is currently in discussions with banks and card providers about rolling the technology out to their customers within the next 12 months, while we imagine the Quantac Tally will be sold independently to work with the app.

It's unlikely that too many people are out there looking for something to keep this close an eye on their drinking and spending simultaneously. Still it's an interesting riff on the quantified self and this would appear to be a solid way of getting the job done in a discreet way.

DrnkPay is calling on wearables to curb drunken overspending




How we test



Conor Allison

By

Conor moved to Wareable Media Group in 2017, initially covering all the latest developments in smartwatches, fitness trackers, and VR. He made a name for himself writing about trying out translation earbuds on a first date and cycling with a wearable airbag, as well as covering the industry’s latest releases.

Following a stint as Reviews Editor at Pocket-lint, Conor returned to Wareable Media Group in 2022 as Editor-at-Large. Conor has become a wearables expert, and helps people get more from their wearable tech, via Wareable's considerable how-to-based guides. 

He has also contributed to British GQ, Wired, Metro, The Independent, and The Mirror. 


Related stories