KnewTek — Department of Health and Human Services SBIR Phase I: N/A

Description

This project develops smoke detector hardware and an associated smartphone application which, upon detection of an environmental threat (e.g., a fire), automatically pushes alert notifications directly to individuals who are Deaf or hard of hearing via a cellular telephone or smart device application. The alert notifications are transmitted to telephones or smart devices within proximity of the smoke detector/fire alarm. The goals of this project are to determine technical and commercial feasibility of the proposed system. Specific objectives are: (1) to develop the software code necessary to deliver proximity-based alert notifications; (2) to develop a product model with at least basic functionality; and (3) to conduct product testing and commercial viability screening. This technology has the potential to provide life-saving communication of a fire emergency to individuals who are Deaf or hard of hearing and for determining the location of user within a building during a fire emergency.