Can smart sensor systems anticipate and avoid danger?

Katie Pisa, CNN

Updated 1033 GMT (1833 HKT) February 7, 2020

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Derq, a start-up based in Dubai and Detroit, is at the forefront of efforts to develop technology solutions to improve road safety.
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Derq, a start-up based in Dubai and Detroit, is at the forefront of efforts to develop technology solutions to improve road safety.
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The company's system uses sensors and artificial intelligence to anticipate hazards such as jaywalkers and drivers on dangerous trajectories.
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The company's system uses sensors and artificial intelligence to anticipate hazards such as jaywalkers and drivers on dangerous trajectories.
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Demonstration with an autonomous vehicle from French company Navya in the Dubai World Challenge for self-driving transport. Derq's system is mounted on the left pole.
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Demonstration with an autonomous vehicle from French company Navya in the Dubai World Challenge for self-driving transport. Derq's system is mounted on the left pole.
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Derq is far from the only company operating in this field. <br /><br />British company Humanising Autonomy has developed intent prediction technology that predicts pedestrian behavior across different environments and cities to help drivers and autonomous systems navigate safely.
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Derq is far from the only company operating in this field.

British company Humanising Autonomy has developed intent prediction technology that predicts pedestrian behavior across different environments and cities to help drivers and autonomous systems navigate safely.
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San Diego-based Netradyne's "Driveri" provides alerts and training for motorists, with a focus on commercial fleets. <br /><br />The intelligent camera system (pictured) delivers detailed assessments of the driving environment including the behavior of fellow motorists.
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San Diego-based Netradyne's "Driveri" provides alerts and training for motorists, with a focus on commercial fleets.

The intelligent camera system (pictured) delivers detailed assessments of the driving environment including the behavior of fellow motorists.
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The "SafetyNex" module from French company Nexyad provides real time risk assessments, informing drivers when risk is heightened.
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The "SafetyNex" module from French company Nexyad provides real time risk assessments, informing drivers when risk is heightened.
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Derq teaseDerq screenshotself-driving transport derq humanising autonomy systemnetradyne systemnexyad system

(CNN)Road accidents kill around 1.3 million people and injure tens of millions more each year, according to the World Health Organization.

A start-up based in Dubai and Detroit is among those testing advanced technology solutions that could bring those numbers down.
Derq is developing systems to better understand where danger spots are. The company uses a combination of sensors on roads, artificial intelligence, and computers in cars to notify drivers of potential hazards.
    For example, Derq's technology can use roadside cameras to detect if a driver is approaching a jaywalker. It will then send audible and visual alerts to the driver to warn them of the danger.
    The system can also spot bad drivers. Roadside cameras or radars can track every car approaching an intersection, and Derq's AI can predict their trajectories -- so if a car is about to run a red light, Derq's software can warn other motorists.
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    The company says it's focused on deploying its technology on the most dangerous intersections initially. In many cities, these intersections already have cameras, so Derq aims to partner with the cities to make use of these cameras.

    Making Derq work

    CEO Georges Aoude is an MIT grad with a PhD and a master's degree in aerospace engineering.
    While doing his PhD in autonomous vehicles (not just cars, but also satellites and drones) he worked on developing technology to make roads safer and smarter. "There was a clear gap in the market," said Aoude.
    In 2016, five years after completing his PhD, Aoude's patent for Derq was ready and he says senior leadership in Dubai approached him, saying they wanted to support the technology.
    Within a few months Derq was allowed to test its technology on certain roads there. Aoude noted that Dubai has a goal of having 25% all vehicles autonomous by 2030. "We knew what we were doing was aligned with many key priorities of Dubai," he said.
    Georges Aoude, co-founder and CEO of Derq, receiving the SXSW 2019 best AI Startup award.
    Georges Aoude, co-founder and CEO of Derq, receiving the SXSW 2019 best AI Startup award.
    An office in Detroit followed in 2017, with permission to try its technology on select roads around the city. The start-up is also working on a pilot project in Ohio, and has an ongoing project in Vienna, Austria, Aoude said.
    As well as warning of hazards, Derq's system can help detect and predict traffic congestion and it is also working with the developers of autonomous vehicle fleets to demonstrate how it can improve safety and give passengers a smoother ride, says Aoude.
    Derq is not the only company working in t