Features
13 fév 19

Nexyad uses artificial intelligence to improve road safety

“75% of road accidents happen because of driver behaviour that is not adapted to local infrastructure,” said Gérard Yahiaoui, CEO, Nexyad. His company sells software components that use artificial intelligence to improve road safety. Fleet Europe wanted to know more about where his company came from and where it is going.

Nexyad delivers software and algorithms other companies can integrate into their devices, either built into cars or as part of an aftermarket solution. Using map, GPS and accelerometer data, Nexyad claims it can predict 75% of all accidents and send drivers an alert, give them time to slow down and reduce accidents by 25%. Optional add-ons can yield even higher results.

Bricks

Alerts can reach drivers through in-app vocal messages or through devices that can me mirrored in the vehicle’s infotainment system. Nexyad is also in talks with dashcam manufacturers who can integrate driver alerts (a sound or an on-screen alert) into their systems.

Nexyad does not offer stand-alone products but offers components that can be used by telematics companies, insurance companies, OEMs or fleet operators. “We sell bricks and you can build a house with our bricks in any way you like.” That way, Nexyad can also interact with ADAS systems and, for instance, apply the brakes automatically.

“Fake start-up”

“Nexyad is a fake start-up,” said Gérard Yahiaoui, the company’s CEO and co-founder. “When Nexyad was set up in 1995 by university professors and researchers in applied maths and artificial intelligence, we worked as consultants mainly for  French Defence. Gradually, we become more involved in the automotive industry because even in the 90s there were growing ideas in that field.”

In 2013, the company’s leadership understood that they were sitting on important assets they were unable to use as they only offered consulting services. “That’s when we decided to become a start-up,” said Mr Yahiaoui. “In 2017, we launched four algorithms: SafetyNex and its add-ons, VisiNex, RoadNex and ObstaNex.”

“We have recently signed with a Japanese telematics giant,” said Mr Yahiaoui, “we’ve also signed with a car insurance giant and we’re working towards a launch. We’re expecting strong growth in the next two to three years.”

Image: example of SafetyNex API integration into a smartphone app (source: Nexyad)

Authored by: Benjamin Uyttebroeck