AI-Powered Technology to Keep Cyclists Safe

Abstract

Cycling is ubiquitous as a means of transportation and a common hobby to get active outdoors. However, the recent uprise in cycling accidents has led cyclists to feel unsafe on the roads. Copilot by Velo.ai is an AI-based bicycle technology that addresses this problem by collecting spatial and audio-visual data and using AI, preventing accidents before they occur by predicting oncoming vehicles or pedestrians. Copilot is novel in adapting sensory, photography, and AI technology from autonomous vehicles to the cycling industry. Although Copilot is cutting-edge and ground-breaking for cycling safety, it is not accessible to everyone. Barriers to Copilot include disability, unemployment/job security, and employment/working conditions. These social determinants of health (SDoH) interact with each other, as well as intersectional factors, to influence individual access to Copilot, which notably differs depending on the status of one’s country of residence (i.e., developed versus developing). Recent peer-reviewed research confirms the efficacy of the technology used in Copilot and Copilot itself to prevent cycling accidents resulting in injury/death. As technology evolves and machine learning is used to address current limitations, the future of Copilot is promising.