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ANACHOIC is currently introducing the beta version of HAALO: a new radar-based rider helmet alert system that provides the rider with audio alerts about potential dangers regarding overtakes, blind spots, and frontal collisions, when the rider is not looking in the direction of the threat. The company is currently recruiting riders to test the beta version with the intention to release the finished product in early 2022.

The HAALO system was designed and developed in Israel. The mission of this product is to significantly reduce the high percentage of accidents involving two-wheeler riders. The release of the beta version couldn’t have come at a better time with 2021 having had record numbers of fatalities for two-wheeler riders. At the time that this article was written (August 31^st, 2021) 66 motorcyclists and scooter riders were killed on Israeli roads. In comparison, during the same period in 2020, only 50 riders were killed, while the whole year of 2020, as well as 2019, claimed 69 deaths each.

An alarming increase of two-wheeler riders in road accidents can be observed in many countries around the world. To counteract this trend, some countries have passed regulations obligating motorcycle and scooter riders to use additional protective gear. For example, in France riding gloves has been mandatory since 2017. In Spain, a law is being considered that would require riders to wear inflatable safety vests. While this safety equipment provides passive protection by reducing injury severity when an accident occurs, HAALO is designed to actively help riders prevent accidents altogether.

The HAALO system is based on a miniaturized radar sensor with ultra low power consumption making it possible to install the system not only on two-wheeled vehicles, but also on helmets. An audio alert is transmitted to the rider via a headset audio system. In fact, installation of HAALO is as easy as installing a standard communicator in a helmet. HAALO uses spatial audio technology which tunes into the rider's intuition providing critical information about the vehicle’s immediate surroundings, especially in the blind spots. HAALO’s developers placed great emphasis on a system that would provide the rider with essential alerts for optimal safety, without overwhelming the rider with unnecessary information. As riders are already flooded with information during the ride, overload would achieve the opposite goal.

The HAALO system provides audio alerts for 3 types of dangers: dangerous overtakes (if the rider is overtaken by another vehicle in a dangerous way or at a high-speed difference), blind spot monitoring and potential head-on collisions, while the rider's head is turned, even if only at a slight angle. The system can be adjusted and personalized for several factors, including what type of alerts are sounded, the distance at which dangers are translated into alerts, which type of sounds are played and at what volume, balance adjustment between right and left headphones and more. Audio feedback is received in a three-dimensional manner allowing the rider to intuitively understand where the danger is coming from and how close it is.

The system detects hazards as far as 100 meters away. It monitors 60 potential threats simultaneously and prioritizes the relevant threats in relation to location and speed. The system includes a forward and rear micro-radar, which together provide 360-degree protection for the rider. The fact that HAALO uses audio alerts instead of visual cues, shortens the rider's response time by half and does not create unnecessary distractions or information overload. In addition, the system operates in all weather and conditions, in both day and night, in rain, through sun glare and extreme light changes (such as entering or leaving a tunnel), etc.

Having tested the HAALO system, we can report that the audio alerts are accurate and efficient. In addition, understanding the location and type of danger is intuitive and quick, as can be seen in the video.

ANACHOIC is currently starting beta testing of the HAALO system, and is looking for riders who will participate and test the system before its official release. Riders interested in becoming beta testers are welcome to get in touch with ANACHOIC through this link.