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POGOH is partnering with Velo AI, a local technology company, to capture data on interactions between bicyclists and motor vehicles, such as near misses, as well as other dangerous road events. They are collecting safety-relevant data to share risk maps that will help inform local decision-makers on how to make streets safer for all road users.
Velo AI was awarded a Complete Streets AI small business innovation research grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to complete this project.
Who is Velo AI?
Velo AI is a Pittsburgh-based company leveraging advanced technology to enhance safety for all forms of mobility. Last year, Velo launched and sold out its first consumer product, Copilot, a bicycle safety device that constantly watches the road around a bicyclist. It provides audible and visual cues to the bicyclist about what’s happening around them and alerts both bicyclists and drivers about dangerous situations to stop crashes before they can occur.
Utilizing this technology in fleets, they're now leveraging Copilot as a mobile data collection tool, by partnering with cities to provide comprehensive data studies. Copilot safety insights supplement other data sources to help city transportation and safety officials make data-driven, strategic infrastructure decisions and improve safety for all vulnerable road users.
Why is POGOH partnering on this project?
POGOH is committed to working with local stakeholders to make bicycling in Pittsburgh safe and accessible for everyone. Our mission is to provide Pittsburgh with the most joyful mobility service, and the safety of POGOH customers, and all bicyclists, is imperative to realizing that vision. POGOH’s fleet of public bikes offer a unique resource to capture data of bike trips around the city that can contribute to making our streets safer.
How long will the Velo AI Pilot Project last?
March - June 2025
How many bikes have cameras?
The project aims to equip 10 bikes in the POGOH fleet with Copilot cameras.
How do the Copilot cameras work?
Copilot uses computer vision to monitor vehicle-bicyclist interactions. The camera is only enabled when the POGOH bike is actively in motion.
Where are the cameras and what is Velo AI filming?
There is one camera embedded in the basket of the bike and the device is only filming forward-facing bicycle and vehicle interactions.
Is my POGOH customer information shared with Velo?
No. Velo AI does not have any access to POGOH customer data or account information. Recorded trips are not linked to customer accounts.
Are the cameras capturing personally identifiable information?
No. Copilot cameras focus solely on identifying vehicle-bicyclist interactions. The camera is only enabled when the POGOH bike is being ridden and is actively in motion. Data recordings are retained for potentially dangerous interactions when the POGOH bike is ridden. All other data is immediately disregarded. No facial recognition software is being used and no audio is being recorded at any time.
Where is the data stored, are there privacy safeguards?
The data is stored on the Copilot device until it is offloaded onto an encrypted, private cloud storage by authorized Velo AI staff. All video data is uploaded, processed, and deleted.
Who can access the data?
Only Velo AI staff have access to the data and video recordings.
Can I access the video from my ride?
No. Video data is not saved. All video data is uploaded, processed, and deleted.
If you have more questions, please contact support@velo.ai