What is the HAZ Umbrella?

We think it's time to break the mold in umbrella design. The HAZ Umbrella is the world’s first fully motorized smart umbrella designed for gadget enthusiasts like you (and us, too). 

With the push of a single button, the HAZ Umbrella automatically opens, closes, and retracts thanks to the integrated precision motor and Li-ion battery. No more stuck umbrellas, no more struggling to close your umbrella while you're trying to get to your next destination.

Next, connect the HAZ Umbrella to your smartphone using the built-in Bluetooth technology, allowing the phone to send you location reminders if the umbrella is misplaced. Result: you'll never lose your umbrella again. 

What's more, the app also reminds you of the weather, letting you know when to carry your new device. How's that for handy?

Everything is online. Everything is automatic. Everything is oh-so-simple. 

As seen on:

Gizmodo: A Motorized Automatic Umbrella Is the Best Kind of Overkill

Gizmag: Haz umbrella forecasts the weather for you

TechOrange: 智慧傘除了用來撐和天氣預報外還能幹嘛？當然是把妹啊！(What else can the smart umbrella do? Pick up girls, of course.)

自由時報: 全球首款防丟智慧傘十月上市 還有抓猴功能

Gadgetify: I bet your umbrella is not as cool as the HAZ umbrella.

InTechNews: この時期にぴったりのスマートな傘を紹介したいと思う。(I want to introduce the perfect smart umbrella this time .)

風傳媒：一把台灣的傘做到了 HAZ Umbrella讓人類在這宇宙中有更好的生活 

Inventor Spot: This new invention is being hailed as the world’s first motorized umbrella among gadget enthusiasts. 

GAZESHOP: 아주 유용할 스마트 우산! (It is a very useful smart umbrella!)

Trusted Review: Haz is a smart umbrella that gives you the weather forecast.

ZOL母嬰頻道: 非常适合小朋友使用，带上这把雨伞不但可以让家长不用担心孩子被雨淋到，还可以通过定位查看孩子的具体问题，具有很强的实用性 

Art-Vibes: Con questo nuovo ombrello potremo sbarazzarci dei modelli obsoleti e ingombranti e lasciare spazio a questa chicca tecnologica che incorpora al suo interno un un motore ad alta precisione ....

愛稀奇: HAZ Umbrella是一个优雅、绅士却又负责、贴心的生活小管家

Beautiful Lands: The HAZ Umbrella is the world’s first fully automatic smart umbrella designed for gadget enthusiasts like you 

Kickstarterfan: おもしろいグッズだと思います 

GadgetSin: The HAZ is an innovative and advanced smart umbrella that can be wirelessly connected with your smartphone.

TechMash: HAZ the smart umbrella that you have always wanted!

Gadgetblog.ru: тоже стали совершеннее.

Catalogodiseno: Haz Digital lanza ”Haz Umbrella”, el primer paraguas inteligente y automatizado

24Gadget.ru: HAZ Umbrella оповестит владельца о дожде или утере

TrendHunter: High-Tech Umbrella Contains a Multitude of Advanced Features

GadgetManiac: стал первым в мире «умным» складным зонтом. Чтобы оценить его полный функционал, потребуется подключить зонтик к Интернету

Belzino: HAZ est un parapluie motorisé intelligent. Il possède un bouton d’ouverture et de fermeture qui s’active à l’aide de votre pouce, désormais l’ouverture est plus facile et pratique. 

Unwire.HK: 自動開合好方便！HAZ Smart 智能雨傘可預報天氣及追蹤位置

Tabliczni: zmechanizowany parasol i aplikacja pogodowa

FPLab:  Com essa conectividade o produto promete solucionar três problemas comuns a todos que utilizam guarda-chuvas em seu dia-a-dia.

LadyTech: Умный электрический зонтик-автомат HAZ

LiveDoor: 置き忘れ防止機能が付いた傘

    

In the past, you might have bought an umbrella expecting to use it only for a short while before losing it. Now, our virtuoso team has been working hard to bring state-of-the-art IoT technology to the umbrella industry and create the world’s first smart umbrella that you can be proud to hang on to. So if you’re heading out to tackle the world, we think you’ll find that the HAZ Umbrella is an indispensable part of your ensemble.  

It's time to be hip. Be HAZ.    

Hip Features

Single-Press Open & Close

When was the last time you closed an umbrella with just your thumb? With the HAZ Umbrella, a single push of a button automatically closes or opens the umbrella with a minimum of fuss or mess, freeing up your hands to tend to shopping bags, children, or more.

Check out the video and learn the conveniences brought by Single-Press Open / Close.

Never Lose Your Umbrella Again

Can't remember where you left your umbrella? Thanks to the HAZ Umbrella’s state-of-the-art Bluetooth low energy technology, losing it is a thing of the past. The umbrella communicates with your phone when it is within range; when it is out of range, your phone will remind you where it was last connected.                             

                                   

If you still misplace your umbrella, not to worry. Your smartphone will locate your umbrella with the last known location with a proximity map, so you’ll know exactly where you left it.

Prepared for Anything

The HAZ Umbrella app conveniently notifies you of the latest weather information if you forget or are too busy to check the weather forecast before you go out, reminding you to carry the HAZ Umbrella whenever needed. You'll never get caught by an afternoon shower, or exposed to high UV rays. 

What's more, the HAZ Umbrella has a color to fit every mood. Choose from Classic Black, Navy Blue, Royal Blue, Yellow, Green, and Red.
(Choose colors at the end of the campaign)

In an internet-connected era, it’s only natural that your umbrella do the same. Get connected with the world’s first automatic smart umbrella: HAZ.

Others - Accessory and Customization

Thanks for our partner's support, we find a way to provide following accessory and services.
- Car charger: For additional $6 pledge, our backers will receive a car charger for the HAZ Umbrella.  (The normal AC power adapter is already included in the standard package)

- Engraving: For additional $8 pledge, our backers' initials can be engraved on the handle of the HAZ Umbrella. We suggest up to 8 characters to engrave.

- Personal printing: For additional $29 pledge. You can send a picture file to us, and we print it out on the canopy of umbrella for you. You can decide to print it inner or outer of canopy.

And the best part? No matter you order one or 10K units of HAZ Umbrella. We will be happy to do the customization services (personal canopy printing or engraving) for you.

Contributor Perks

Meet The HAZ Team

Former President of the U.S. subsidiary of a globally-listed technology company, Harry built the office from scratch into an industry leader. Though Harry posses MBA degree from National Taiwan University, he is a tech geek deep inside.

Greg Hou, Cofounder & Chief of Software Developer

Greg loves all kinds of tech gadgets, as long as they are innovative. He holds diplomas in Aerospace Engineering from NCKU and Information Management from NCU and is a former software and firmware developer for embedded systems. 

Jill Chen, Consultant of Finance and Accounting. 

A master of numbers, Jill holds an MBA degree from NTU and  has completed all U.S. CPA examinations.

Midori Chen, Chief Marketing

Skilled in creating innovative programs for corporate/ product markets. Solid background in Marketing programs for new and developing products.

David Liu, Marketing Consultant

David has over a decade of experience in the sales and marketing of technology products and is at ease translating technical language into something normal people understand. He holds both a Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering and an MBA. 

We are aiming to have the HAZ Umbrella ready for shipping in October 2015.

Requested by Paypal. Disclaimer: "Delivery of rewards/perks is subject to best efforts and not guaranteed."

Risks & Challenges

Our team and partners have been working on the prototype for countless days and nights.

Production

Complications during production could potentially arise and delay the manufacturing schedule. To remedy this, we would need to be on-site at our partner's factory and work closely with them throughout the entire process.

Software:

Less is more. We have lots of awesome ideas for the app's features. However, we don't want you to spend hours learning the app, nor add features you may never use.  We want the user experience to be very intuitive, simple, and useful. Our UI/UX designers have been working tirelessly with software developers to optimize the app according to our schedule. 

We believe that challenges and surprises are waiting ahead of us, but we are confident that, with your support, the HAZ Umbrella will blow you away.  

Other Ways You Can Help

Please click and share our campaign with your friends and family on Facebook, Twitter, and other social media, and let the world know about our innovative smart umbrella. Your support and encouragement are greatly appreciated! 

Like us on Facebook  

FAQ

Q1. How long does the Li-Ion battery and the coin cell battery (for Bluetooth chip) last?
A: The umbrella can open/close over 150 times with a single charge. Standby time is about 6 months. Coin cell battery last a year, and can be replaced.

Q2. What is the warranty of the HAZ Umbrella?

A: The HAZ Umbrella has two batteries: one is a li-on battery for the motor, which controls the open/close mechanism for the umbrella. The other is a coin cell battery for the chipset for the Bluetooth Low Energy component. You can charge the Li-ion battery using the power adapter included in the accessory pack and change the coin cell battery.

Q4: What if the umbrella jams or gets stuck, or the li-ion battery runs out?
A: Users can still manually open or close the umbrella. The following video shows you how to open and close when the umbrella is running out of power.

Q5: What smartphone/OS does the app support?
A: Your cellphone will need to have Bluetooth Low Energy 4.0 (BLE 4.0) to support communication with the umbrella. The app will be available for iOS (iPhone 5+) and Android (4.4+)  

Q6: How far can the Bluetooth signal go?
A: The signal is rated up to 30 m/100 ft, However, environmental interference may reduce the range.

Q7: How much is shipping?
A: US/Canada/Europe $25, Asia $20, all other countries $30.

Q8: Can you ship to different countries?
A: Yes, we we can ship all countries in the world.

Q9: Is the app free?
A: Yes, it's free.

Q10: How do I choose color and power adapter type?
A: At the end of the campaign, we will send a survey form to backers to choose the color and adapter type.

Q11: Do the HAZ Umbrellas come with gift boxes?
A: Yes, we are working on it, but we should have something like this --

Q12: Is HAZ a wind-proof umbrella?
A: Yes, the wind-proof feature is more than enough for day-to-day uses. Find the video below for wind-proof feature testing.

We promise that this project will be worth the wait. Thank you for believing in us!