UPDATED 15:54 EDT / AUGUST 20 2015

NEWS

EMERGE, the Department of Homeland Security-backed accelerator program, hosts its Demo Day

If you’re interested in startups, you’ve probably seen a pitch day event, where teams of entrepreneurs deliver their best elevator pitches to audiences of angel investors. But you’ve probably never seen one like the EMERGE pitch day event that’s taking place today in Dallas, TX.

EMERGE is a seed fund accelerator for startups that focus on wearables for first responders. The first of its kind program is a result of the partnership between Dallas-based Tech Wildcatters, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Center for Innovative Technology. With its mandatory focus on hardware specifically designed for first responder applications, the presentations will incorporate hands-on demonstrations, rather than just pitches and power points. The SiliconANGLE Dallas team will be on hand to report on each of the following startup demos.

LanguageMAPS will be showing off its 1st Minute app. First responders often face language barriers when attempting to communicate with the very people they’re trying to help. According to the latest census, over 60 million people in the U.S. don’t speak English as a primary language. With the 1st Minute app, first responders such as EMTs, nurses, firefighters, and police, can effectively communicate with people, even if they don’t speak the same language. With visual prompts and a multi-language database, the app is designed to prevent information from being lost in translation, which in this case could save lives.

MindTalk also focuses on communication for first responders. They use patent pending bone conduction technology to enable the transmission of audio through mouthguards. Imagine a team of firefighters attempting to save lives in a burning building. In some circumstances, the protective gear they wear might prevent traditional headsets from being used. With MindTalk’s technology, they could maintain contact regardless of the amount of protective gear worn.
Communication during rescue operations is vital for first responders.

Communication during rescue operations is vital for first responders.

SensorSphere is a solution for first responders that’s reminiscent of the remote control systems used to investigate improvised explosive devices in Iraq and Afghanistan. You may have seen that technology in films such as the Hurt Locker. Those robots allowed soldiers to examine IEDs from a safe distance. In much the same way, SensorSphere will allow first responders to get a look at dangerous situations from a safe distance. The robotic ball can be thrown or driven into an emergency site to gather environmental data, and record high definition video footage.

CyberTimez is a startup that has been hard at work adapting its technology products for the disabled to be used by first responders. Cyber Armz is an internet of things solution that allows the operation of household fixtures, like doors and drawers, with voice commands, or with gestures on a smart watch. Cyber Earz is a wearable device that transcribes audio and displays the text on a Google Glass type wearable device. Cyber Eyez is a type of augmented reality used with Google Glass type wearable devices.

The final startup team created the Dashin open dashboard. It aggregates data from multiple sensors worn by first responders, such as firefighters, so that the individual monitoring the dashboard can see the overall well being of each member of the team.

The EMERGE event is taking place today, from 3pm to 6pm at 2803 Taylor Street Dallas, TX 75226.


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