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Regardless of whether autonomous vehicles work or not, efforts to use tiny cameras and device-learning algorithms to detect cars can pay big dividends for an unforeseen group: cyclists.
Velo AI is a company co-founded by Clark Haynes and Micol Marchetti-Bowick, both PhDs in robotics, motion prediction and painting on Uber’s autonomous vehicles (already sold). Copilot, which as a “pandemic hobby project” for Haynes, is Synthetic Intelligence and Learning of Necessarily Car-Centric Devices, integrated into a Raspberry Pi four compute module and packaged in a bike-friendly length and shape.
While there are car detection devices for bicycles, such as the Garmin Varia, they are largely based on radar. This means that they can’t distinguish between cars of other sizes and only know that something is approaching you, not, for example, how much area it will leave as it passes.
Copilot claims to do more:
Weighing in at 330 grams, five hours of optimal battery life (and USB-C charging), it’s not for the aerodynamics-obsessed rider or the ultra-long-distance rider. And for $400, you may not reach the maximum casual and infrequent driver. But it’s an interesting piece of kit, especially for those who already own or are getting a Garmin action camera or similar to watch their backs. What if a camera could do more than just show you the car when you’re already in danger?
The Velo team detailed part of their build process for the official Raspberry Pi blog. Compute module four powers the main formula and lights, while a traditional Hailo AI co-procedure helps with neural networks and computer vision. An Arducam camera provides viewing and recording.
Beyond individual safety, the Velo AI team hopes that the knowledge of co-drivers can contribute to larger-scale innovations in road safety. The team told Pi’s blog that it’s partnering with Pittsburgh, sending co-pilots to normal motorcycle commuters. and analyze general knowledge for conceivable infrastructure improvements.
The Copilot is now on sale and shipping, according to Velo AI. A December 2023 pre-order sold out.
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