DETROIT – The City of Detroit has become the largest city to implement the HAAS Alert Safety Cloud, a technology designed to improve safety for first responders and residents.
Approved by the City Council in July, the initiative uses HAAS Alert’s Safety Cloud to send digital alerts to drivers through Waze, Apple Maps, and compatible vehicles from Stellantis (2018 and newer) and Volkswagen (2024 and newer). These alerts warn drivers of nearby vehicles with activated emergency lights.
The implementation follows a 10-month pilot program where ten Detroit Fire Department vehicles were equipped with the Safety Cloud technology. During the pilot, the system sent 108,531 alerts to drivers, warning them of approaching emergency vehicles.
The Detroit Police Department initially tested the system on nine vehicles. The department plans to expand the technology to patrol cars in every precinct and additional citywide task force vehicles.
HAAS Alert was founded by CEO Cory Hohs with co-founders Jigar Patel and Noah Levens. The company joined Newlab at Michigan Central Station in 2022 and has collaborated with Detroit city departments and the Michigan Central innovation community to tailor the Safety Cloud for practical use on Detroit streets.
Upcoming installations will equip all Detroit Fire Department response vehicles and select Detroit Police Department vehicles with the Safety Cloud. This effort aims to improve safety for residents and first responders while reducing repair costs from vehicle damage.