Communications company Motorola Solutions has announced the acquisition of VaaS International Holdings, a data and image-analytics company based in Livermore, Calif., and Fort Worth, Texas. Motorola Solutions paid $445 million in cash and equity for the company.
VaaS is a “video analysis as a service” company, and provides data and image analytics for vehicle location. The company’s image-capture and analysis system includes fixed and mobile license-plate reader cameras, and provides vehicle location data to public-safety and commercial customers. VaaS subsidiaries include Vigilant Solutions for law enforcement customers, and Digital Recognition Network (DRN) for commercial users. The company’s revenue this year is expected to be about $100 million, according to Motorola Solutions.
“Automated license-plate recognition is an increasingly powerful tool for law enforcement,” said Greg Brown, chairman and CEO of Motorola Solutions. “With this acquisition, VaaS will expand our command center software portfolio with the largest shareable database of vehicle-location information that can help shorten response times and improve the speed and accuracy of investigations.”
The VaaS platform allows controllable, audited data sharing across multiple law-enforcement agencies, according to Motorola Solutions. Vehicle-location information can help speed resolution and improve outcomes for public-safety agencies; for example, law-enforcement agencies have used the VaaS to quickly apprehend dangerous suspects and find missing persons.
“We are excited to be joining Motorola Solutions,” said Shawn Smith, co-founder of VaaS and president of Vigilant Solutions. “This acquisition enables us to serve our existing customers and expand our footprint globally, while at the same time supporting a company with a commitment to innovation and growth, guided by a common purpose that aligns with our mission and culture: ‘To help people be their best in the moments that matter.’ It doesn’t get any better than that.”
“Our extensive license-plate data and AI technology have opened new commercial applications of our products,” said Todd Hodnett, co-founder of VaaS and president of DRN. “We believe commercialization of these new applications can be accelerated under the Motorola Solutions brand and reach, and we look forward to working together to grow and diversify our commercial business.”
