A Chicago startup that allows emergency vehicles to communicate with nearby drivers when ambulances, fire trucks and other service vehicles are approaching received a contract from the Department of Homeland Security for its safety technology.
HAAS Alert announced last month that it received a $1.1 million DHS contract that will allow it to leverage input from active and retired first responders across the country to improve its tech.
Founded in 2015, HAAS helps keep emergency crews and drivers safe by alerting motorists when service vehicles are in the area. With its R2V (Responder-to-Vehicle) technology, HAAS Alert can send messages to drivers through their navigation apps or in-vehicle infotainment units. It works with navigation service Waze and auto makers such as Ford and Jaguar Land Rover.
With just over $2 million in venture funding, HAAS has brought its tech to nearly 50 cities and sent more than 20 million driver alerts, CEO Cory Hohs said. The startup is backed by Techstars, Ride Ventures and Stacked Capital, among others.
"Our mission is to be another alert in the car, and (to be in) every vehicle just like the seatbelt," Hohs said.
The goal is to make the roadway safer for both emergency crews and drivers. When drivers know an ambulance or police car is approaching, they can safely pull over and give emergency vehicles the space they need. HAAS also works with highway maintenance vehicles, snow plows, utility trucks and other similar vehicles.
HAAS is also working with autonomous vehicle makers to get its alerts in driverless vehicles, Hohs said. By communicating with an autonomous vehicle while it's on the road, the car can prepare to slow down and move over when emergency crews arrive.
