Velo.AI

Velo.AI has developed an innovative  AI tools for Fitness  named Copilot, aimed at enhancing cyclist safety on the roads. Copilot is an AI-powered bike light and camera that significantly increases a cyclist's situational awareness, and you can monitor the road situation from the  cyclist app . It monitors the road and uses artificial intelligence to detect vehicles approaching from behind, analyze their behavior, and provide both audible and visual alerts to the cyclist. This technology helps in identifying aggressive or distracted driving, with the goal of preventing crashes before they occur.

The foundation of Velo.AI is built on a commitment to improving safety for all forms of mobility through advanced technology. With a vision to stop crashes and fatalities before they happen and make streets safer for everyone, Copilot represents the world's smartest bicycle safety platform. The company's journey began in November 2019, when founder Clark Haynes brainstormed ideas to enhance safety for vulnerable road users. The development of Copilot started as a "pandemic passion project" during the height of the pandemic in August 2020, fueled by the increasing popularity of cycling and the need for safer roads.

Velo.AI's team comprises individuals with deep expertise in robotics, machine learning, and community development. Founder and CEO Clark Haynes is a robotics expert with a rich background in developing autonomous vehicles and robotic systems, while Co-founder and CTO Micol Marchetti-Bowick specializes in machine learning approaches for understanding traffic interactions.

While Copilot offers numerous benefits, including enhanced safety, peace of mind for cyclists, and documentation of rides through video recordings, there are also some considerations. It's designed specifically for bicycles, relies on a clear camera view, and requires a constant power supply. Despite potential drawbacks such as possible false alerts or over-reliance by the cyclist, Copilot's proactive approach to cyclist safety sets it apart as a smart cycling companion for city rides and countryside explorations alike.

Velo.AI's Copilot serves as a multifaceted tool designed to enhance cyclist safety through innovative uses of technology. Here are several key use cases highlighting its capabilities:

1. Enhanced Situational Awareness: Copilot provides cyclists with an increased awareness of their surroundings, especially focusing on what's happening behind them. It leverages artificial intelligence to monitor the road and alert cyclists about vehicles approaching from behind, enhancing safety during rides​  ​.

2. Crash Prevention: By identifying potential dangers such as aggressive or distracted drivers, Copilot actively works to prevent crashes before they occur. It does this by providing audible and visual alerts to cyclists, making them aware of nearby vehicles and their behaviors, thereby increasing the safety of cycling in traffic​  ​.

3. Safety in Varied Environments: Whether it's a city ride, a commute to work, or exploring the countryside, Copilot is designed to be a reliable companion that ensures cyclist safety across various environments. Its technology is adaptable to different settings, providing peace of mind regardless of where the cyclist chooses to ride​  ​.

4. Community and Safety Advocacy: Beyond its technological solutions, Velo.AI aims to create a community focused on improving road safety for cyclists and advocating for safer streets. The company's mission is to use advanced technology not just for individual safety but to make a broader impact on how cities and communities approach mobility and infrastructure​  ​.

5. Documentation and Evidence Collection: In the unfortunate event of an accident, Copilot's video recording capabilities offer valuable documentation that can be used for insurance claims, legal evidence, or to better understand the circumstances leading up to the incident. This feature adds an additional layer of security for cyclists, knowing that their rides are documented​  ​.

6. Risk Estimation and Smart Alerts: The predictive risk estimation feature of Copilot tracks and analyzes driver behavior, offering a proactive approach to identifying potential threats on the road. This information is used to alert cyclists through smart, customizable notifications about the level of risk in real-time, enabling smarter, safer cycling decisions​  ​.

These use cases showcase Copilot as more than just a bike light; it's a comprehensive safety platform that leverages AI to protect cyclists in multiple scenarios, making it an essential tool for modern urban mobility and cycling enthusiasts seeking to navigate roads with increased confidence and security.

The pricing and details mentioned relate solely to the purchase of the Copilot device itself, which is priced at $399.00 USD. This price includes the Copilot device, which is an AI-powered bike light equipped with smart sensors to monitor the road and provide cyclists with both audible and visual feedback regarding driver behavior and potential dangers. Additional features such as video recording, AI-powered predictive analytics, and the ability to download close call and incident data are also included in the purchase. The device can be paired with a smartphone through a companion app for enhanced functionality.

The product specifications highlighted are:

• Dimensions: 92x95x35mm
• Weight: 330 grams
• Video resolution: 1080p
• 5-hour battery life with USB-C rechargeability

Velo.AI offers free shipping across the U.S. and has a customer-friendly return policy allowing for a full refund within 90 days of receipt. This policy also covers hardware failures, assuming they are not due to user error, with replacements provided as necessary.

The Velo.AI team is led by individuals with a rich history in technology, robotics, machine learning, and community building, each bringing unique skills and experiences to the table.

Clark Haynes, PhD, the Founder and CEO, is a seasoned expert in robotics. With over two decades of experience, he has made significant contributions to the development of autonomous vehicles and robotic systems. His portfolio includes work on wall climbing robots for DARPA, robotic applications for disaster scenarios in Fukushima, and leadership roles in autonomous vehicle divisions, including Uber's Prediction team and the Carnegie Mellon team that completed the DARPA Robotics Challenge. Haynes holds advanced degrees in Robotics from Carnegie Mellon University, along with a bachelor's degree in Engineering from the University of Michigan.

Micol Marchetti-Bowick, PhD, the Co-founder and CTO, specializes in machine learning with a focus on understanding the complex interactions among traffic actors. Her career has been dedicated to advancing technology in traffic prediction and planning, with significant positions at Uber ATG and Aurora Innovation. Marchetti-Bowick is driven by a passion to improve safety for bicyclists and other vulnerable road users. She has earned a PhD in Machine Learning from Carnegie Mellon University and both a master's and bachelor's degree in Computer Science from Stanford University.

Alison Treaster, serving as the Chief of Staff, focuses on building global communities and spearheading commercial partnerships. Treaster's experience includes leading community impact initiatives at Argo AI and strategic talent initiatives at the Allegheny Conference on Community Development. Her educational background includes a Master of Arts from Georgetown University and a Bachelor of Arts from Pennsylvania State University.

Together, this team combines expertise in robotics, machine learning, and community engagement to drive Velo.AI's mission of improving road safety through innovative technology. Their diverse backgrounds contribute to a holistic approach in developing solutions that address real-world challenges faced by cyclists and other road users.



Clark Haynes, PhD

Founder and CEO



Micol Marchetti-Bowick, PhD

Co-founder and CTO



Alison Treaster

Chief of Staff