A new system that warns drivers of nearby emergency vehicles is set to debut at the CES electronics show, Jan. 5-8 in Las Vegas.
Owners of Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Fiat and Alfa Romeo vehicles are about to receive a free over-the-air software update called the Emergency Vehicle Alert System or EVAS, which is powered by HAAS Alert’s Safety Cloud.
The feature generates a message when an emergency vehicle is near, the type of vehicle it is, and the direction its heading. Unlike other systems, EVAS notifies drivers when vehicles are approaching from behind, as well as those stopped up ahead.
How EVAS works
The hardware and software use real time data from emergency vehicles using the HAAS company’s service called Safety Cloud.
When an emergency vehicle driver activates their light bar, the first responder’s location is sent out via cellular technology to vehicles with Safety Cloud transponders using geo-fencing, disregarding vehicles on the opposite side of a divided highways. It alerts nearby drivers as well as other responding emergency vehicles with approximately a half-mile. This gives drivers an additional warning and more time to move over and slow down compared to conventional lights and sirens alone.
The system is now integrated into new light bars, although the system can be retrofitted to older vehicles.
Until now, consumers who use the Waze app have been receiving Safety Cloud alerts. WIth the consumation of the Stellantis deal, HAAS Alert will have a seond platform for sending out thier notifications.
“It’s all about saving lives,” said Mamatha Chamarthi, Stellantis head of software business and product management.
A newer safety system
The Safety Cloud system was evaluated a little more than two years ago by the Indian River Shores (Florida) Public Safety Department; Michigan State Police, New York City Fire Department (New York); Northwell (New York) Health Center for EMS, Rockville (Maryland) Volunteer Fire Department; and the Story County (Iowa) Sherriff’s Office.
The service is now in use by more than 1,000 departments nationwide, in every state, and it comes standard on most new fire apparatus.
Stellantis tapped the HAAS Safety Cloud after an employee didn’t hear an approaching emergency vehicle while driving with her children. It was noisy, and she was nearly involved in an accident after not hearing the approaching emergency vehicle.
EVAS availability
Stellantis is the first automaker to implement its EVAS system to 2018-and-newer Stellantis cars, trucks and SUVs equipped with Uconnect 4 or 5. The vehicle must be using the automaker’s safety and convenience data service, which costs $12.99 a month.
Initially available only in North America, it could be offered eventually in all 14 Stellantis brands worldwide.
“As the first global automaker to join Safety Cloud, Stellantis is making roads safer for their customers, and for the millions of emergency responders and roadway workers,” HAAS CEO Cory Hohs said.
The HAAS Safety Cloud is already providing its information to navigation apps such as Waze, and according to the DHS, its developers are working with automotive manufacturers to enable HAAS’s analysis software to run directly on the automobile company’s own cloud.
“We’re talking to other companies,” HAAS Director of Communication Brock Aun said.
