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A wallet sized detector claims to be able to instantly warn if a drink contains a date rape drug.

The gadget analyses a tiny sample of the drink. It can show users instantly via a light whether the drink is safe.

It can also use a special app to update itself as new drugs are discovered.

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The pd.id is shaped like a USB stick - and can almost instantly tell if a drink has been spiked after being dipped in it

HOW IT WORKS

It works using three characteristics: light, current, and temperature.

The sample is compared to a preloaded database of known substance.

This, the firm claims, is enough to be able to spot common date rape drugs.

It can also link to an app to work out exactly what drink is being consumed.

'pd.id is a small battery-operated device that, when immersed in a beverage, will identify whether the drink has been drugged,' the firm says.

'Although extremely high tech in function, pd.id is very easy to use.

'Simply dip, wait a few seconds and the LED light will indicate if your drink has been drugged.'

It claims the device is based on police technology.

'pd.id relies on proven technology that has been used by drug enforcement agencies, such as the U.S. DEA, for years. 

'We started with that technology, (costing tens of thousands of dollars) as our base, then re-engineered and designed it to be user-friendly and affordable.'

It works using three characteristics: light, current, and temperature.

The sample is compared to a preloaded database of known substance.

This, the firm claims, is enough to be able to spot common date rape drugs.

The stick is placed in the drink, where a tiny sample is collected and analysed

'It's about personal protection, feeling secure and it's about empowering our daughters, sons, sisters, brothers, spouses, partners, friends, coworkers and ourselves to be safe in an often unsafe world,' the firm says.

In North America, 1 in 4 women will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime.

25% of those assaults are facilitated by alcohol or compounds known as Date Rape Drugs.

The firm is founded by David Wilson, a 14-year cancer survivor.

The gadget can also link to a smartphone to tell you what your are really drinking.

Following his diagnosis he shifted his career from technology where he had founded two specialized computer integration companies, to nuclear medicine, where he helped introduce new cancer imaging technology to Ontario and collaborated on the design of a next generation molecular imaging breast camera.

'Our intention is to build a better mousetrap, somethat can can empower people,' he said.

'It can be discreetly used anywhere, multiple times.'

The sample is compared to a preloaded database of known substance.