How could AI boost cyclist safety?

The advanced technology warns cyclists of fast and dangerously approaching vehicles

Spotted: In 2022, almost 1,000 cyclists lost their lives in road motor-vehicle collisions across the US. As traffic congestion worsens and drivers grow more distracted, these tragic incidents are becoming more frequent. Previous radar technologies could only tell cyclists how close cars were, without indicating if a vehicle was overtaking or on a collision course. 

Now, Maine startup Survue has developed a groundbreaking AI technology that provides this critical information and more, offering riders unmatched situational awareness and peace of mind. Survue detects vehicles with pinpoint accuracy, determining their exact position and trajectory. This allows it to distinguish between a passing vehicle and one on a collision course. 

Cyclists using Survue receive alerts based on the speed, direction, and type of approaching vehicles. These alerts are communicated through an onboard speaker and can also be received via visual and audio cues when connected to an app or bike computer. For added safety, Survue’s taillight automatically records close-passing vehicles and adjusts its brightness to save battery in ambient light or to catch the attention of distracted drivers. 

When talking to Springwise, Survue’s founder, Josh Fox, explained the inspiration behind the innovation: “I enjoyed taking my infant daughter on bike trips along a bike trail but to get there from our neighbourhood we had to ride down a treacherous road with speeding vehicles and no area to pull off. At the same time, I was mentoring a local high school robotics team where we were using computer vision for a lot of the games. I held on to the two and eventually the required technology matured enough for it to be possible.” 

Currently, Survue is developing numerous applications for the technology and is continually seeking and implementing improvements to enhance its products. To help it do that, the company is running a Kickstarter campaign, which closes on 25^th July 2024. 

Written By: Georgia King