Derq Newsroom

April 22, 2026 — Fast Company — On average, 11 car crashes occur every minute in the U.S. By the time you finish reading this sentence, several vehicle collisions will have happened across the country, some of which were likely fatal.

In the world of aviation, the number of crashes involving a U.S. civilian aircraft is about 1,200 per year, and very few of those result in fatalities.

Despite the 5,500 American planes that are in the air at any given moment during peak times, collisions are rare, because airspace is designed for safety. Planes are required to communicate with one another and with ground control. No one gets to “opt out.” Our roads are another story. More than 280 million registered vehicles share U.S. streets with trucks, cyclists, and pedestrians—largely without any systemic communication. This isn’t a failure of drivers or technology, but a failure of system design.

March 11, 2026 — Travel and World Tour — At the forefront of innovative traffic safety solutions, Amsterdam hosts the 2026 unveiling of Derq’s next-generation INSIGHT platform, setting a new standard for how cities worldwide can use AI to prevent fatalities at intersections. The company’s cutting-edge system empowers transportation agencies to transition from understanding past traffic incidents to actively preventing future risks.

The new release builds on Derq’s history of leveraging artificial intelligence to enhance road safety, enabling cities to shift their focus from reactive analysis to proactive decision-making. By analysing real-time data, the platform aims to provide actionable intelligence, helping transportation departments across the globe improve their traffic management and safety protocols.

With a powerful suite of agentic AI capabilities, Derq INSIGHT offers traffic authorities a versatile toolkit designed to identify patterns and pinpoint risk factors.

March 10, 2025 — Amsterdam — Derq, the intelligent transportation company enabling cities to prevent fatalities using proven, real-world AI at intersections, today announced the next generation of Derq INSIGHT, its real-time analytics and ATSPM platform. Unveiled at Intertraffic 2026 in Amsterdam, the new release equips agencies to shift from understanding what happened on the roads and why to taking action quickly and confidently to eliminate risk.

Since its founding in 2016, Derq has been a leader in AI-driven traffic safety, known for its accuracy in multimodal detection, predictive analytics, and near-miss analysis. The company has helped agencies analyze millions of near-misses and thousands of crashes to better understand roadway risk. The next generation of INSIGHT builds on that foundation to deliver a major leap forward in traffic and safety intelligence, moving beyond traditional analytics to proactive decision support.

February 19, 2026 — CHARLESTON, SC — The City of Charleston will upgrade Calhoun Street with new technology focused on improving safety and reducing drive times for the estimated 20,000 cars that use the corridor daily.

The downtown street connects the peninsula from east to west and serves as a main thoroughfare for visitors and residents.

“Anybody that comes to the peninsula typically is going to go on Calhoun Street,” Mayor William Cogswell said.

Data shows that more than 700 crashes occurred on the corridor between 2013 and 2018.

“You know, this intersection is in a continuum of dangerous intersections,” Dr. David Cole, president of the Medical University of South Carolina, said.

December 9, 2025 — Detroit, MI — Derq, the MIT spinoff and AI-powered intelligent transportation company helping cities and agencies prevent crashes, improve safety for all road users, and optimize traffic flow, today announced the appointment of Mark Joseph to its Board of Directors.

A transportation and mobility industry leader with more than three decades of experience, Joseph currently serves as CEO of Mobitas Advisors, where he advises early- and mid-stage mobility companies and investors on growth strategy, operations, and regulatory engagement. Previously, as CEO of Veolia Transportation (now Transdev North America) and Global Chief Development Officer of Transdev Group, he grew the business to $1.5 billion in annual revenue and more than 20,000 employees across the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Ireland, and Latin America.

November 19, 2025 — Walnut Creek, CA — Derq, an award-winning, AI-powered road safety and traffic solutions company, today announced the appointment of Randell (Randy) Iwasaki to its advisory board.

A nationally recognized leader in intelligent transportation systems and infrastructure innovation, Iwasaki currently serves as President and CEO of Iwasaki Consulting Services, where he advises public agencies and technology companies on transportation strategy and smart mobility. Previously, he was Executive Director of the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) and Director of the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), overseeing more than 50,000 lane miles of state highway and a $14 billion annual budget.

October 13, 2025 — SARASOTA, FL — From Wi-Fi benches to bayfront sensors and AI-powered traffic lights, Sarasota is weaving technology into its everyday beauty, one subtle upgrade at a time.

Downtown Sarasota looks as charming as ever, with the sea breeze, the art, and the quiet hum of local life. But beneath that easy rhythm, the city is quietly getting smarter. From Wi-Fi benches to bayfront sensors and AI-powered traffic lights, Sarasota is weaving technology into its everyday beauty, one subtle upgrade at a time.

Sarasota has always sold sunshine and sophistication, but the past few years have been so full of technology that even that seduction runs on Wi-Fi signals and touchscreen taps. The city has discreetly moved to a digitally connected community, where technology blends with day-to-day living rather than competing with each other.

October 7, 2025 — Detroit, MI — Derq, the MIT spinoff transforming road safety through artificial intelligence, today announced the appointment of Ty Beltramo as Chief Technology Officer to drive the next phase of AI-powered road safety. Beltramo succeeds co-founder Amer Abufadel, who moves to a senior advisor role after leading the company’s technology development since its founding in 2016.

Beltramo joins Derq at a pivotal time as the company accelerates deployment of its AI platform across more than 40 agencies in the United States, Canada, and the GCC region. As CTO, he will lead Derq’s technology strategy and engineering teams, with a focus on scaling AI systems that enable cities to prevent crashes and optimize traffic flow in real-time.

September 17, 2025 — MUSCAT, Oman — Derq, an award-winning AI-powered road safety and traffic solutions company, today announced a new partnership with Modern Network Enterprises (MNE), a leading provider of intelligent traffic solutions in the Sultanate of Oman. The collaboration marks Derq’s strategic expansion into the Sultanate and establishes a framework for deploying next-generation intelligent transportation systems nationwide.

Together, Derq and MNE will focus on immediate opportunities to demonstrate the impact of AI-powered mobility technologies in Oman, while building a foundation for long-term deployment. The companies will work with public and private stakeholders to accelerate the adoption of intelligent transportation systems across the Sultanate.

September 15, 2025 — Canada — MIT spin-off Derq is partnering Tacel to expand availability of its AI-powered traffic safety and connected vehicle technology across Canada. The collaboration will accelerate deployment of Derq’s AI technology across Canadian cities. Tacel has a 46-year track record serving transportation agencies across the country.

Through the partnership, Canadian municipalities and transportation agencies will gain easier access to Derq’s ITS platform. This includes next-gen traffic detection, real-time safety insights, traffic performance monitoring, and V2X connected vehicle applications. Each is designed to detect in harsh conditions, analyse safety events, optimise traffic flow, prevent crashes before they happen, and protect vulnerable road users.

September 10, 2025 — MONTREAL, Canada — Derq, the MIT spin-off and leader in AI-powered traffic safety and connected vehicle technology, today announced a strategic distribution partnership with Tacel Ltd., Canada’s leading provider of intelligent transportation systems. The collaboration will accelerate deployment of Derq’s proven AI technology across Canadian municipalities, leveraging Tacel’s 46-year track record serving transportation agencies nationwide.

Through the partnership, Canadian municipalities and transportation agencies will gain easier access to Derq’s cutting-edge ITS platform–including next-gen traffic detection, real-time safety insights, traffic performance monitoring, and V2X connected vehicle applications–each designed to detect in harsh conditions, analyze safety events, optimize traffic flow, prevent crashes before they happen, and protect vulnerable road users.

September 1, 2025 — GULF SHORES, AL — The City of Gulf Shores is using the power of Artificial Intelligence to track events and make the city safer.

“It tells me that this is a near-miss where a car cut another car off,” said Gulf Shores City Engineer, Jenny Wolfschlag as she referenced her computer monitor. “The data that we’re getting out of that system is fantastic. One thing that it does that’s really interesting, it produces hot spot maps, so we can pull up a heat map and see in particular, where pedestrians are crossing illegally.”

The integrated camera system does far more than monitor traffic flow in real time. It is also tied into the city’s Centrac’s software platform, allowing on the fly adjustments to signal timing based on the amount, and direction of traffic. It can even track pedestrian traffic, something Wolfschlag sees as a valuable feature.

June 26, 2025 — ABU DHABI, UAE — Derq Inc., an AI-powered traffic safety company whose award-winning, patented technology is deployed in over 30 cities across the U.S. and GCC, today announced it has won a coveted spot in the Presight AI-Startup Accelerator, a strategic program designed to propel AI startups to scale with speed, impact, and commercial intent.

Derq was named as one of 10 winners from 120 applicants spanning 17 countries and diverse sectors, including Smart Cities, Fintech, Energy, and Sovereign AI. The highly competitive selection process culminated in final pitch days held earlier this month in Abu Dhabi, where 15 global finalists, having collectively raised over $150 million and backed by accelerators including Microsoft, Google, Alchemist, and Techstars, presented to a distinguished jury panel.

June 24, 2025 — DETROIT, Michigan — Detroit city officials launched an online dashboard to allow the public to explore traffic safety conditions in the city that ranks high nationally in traffic fatalities.

The $2 million project called SMART MODES has an online dashboard featuring maps and graphics with real-time data city-wide and historical statistics.

Derq is the traffic safety data engine behind the dashboard and we’re proud to be helping Detroit turn its extensive camera network into real-time insights to help reduce crashes and save lives, especially in communities that need it most.

May 27, 2025 — SARASOTA, FL — From real-time beach updates to free Wi-Fi in city parks, Sarasota’s Smart City initiative doesn’t stop there.

The City of Sarasota is being recognized with an international award for the work it’s doing to keep drivers and pedestrians safe, as well.

Off of Fruitville Road, a number of intersections are keeping an eye on what’s happening to help prevent a future tragedy from occurring.

"We get speed, near-misses, lane departures. We also get information on how many vehicles per day go through the area," said Nikesh Patel Sarasota’s City Engineer.

The city of Sarasota is using artificial intelligence with traffic cameras to document near-miss crashes, illegal crossings off of streets like Fruitville Road and Lemon Avenue and to warn drivers of pedestrian crossings.

March 24, 2025 — DETROIT, MI — Self-driving vehicles seemed mired in the slow lane. Georges Aoude sought an alternate route for ensuring its widespread deployment.

He co-founded Derq in 2016, a Massachusetts Institute of Technology spinoff that takes the same underlying artificial intelligence found in autonomous vehicles and repurposes it in traffic infrastructure.

Saving lives requires “not just thinking about the vehicle,” said Aoude, the company’s CEO. “We can leverage all the assets that already exist in the traffic ecosystem today.”

Automotive News marks its 100th anniversary this year. As part of our centennial, we’re looking back on the persistent safety crisis that has played out on American roads. And we are examining the role new technologies might play in combating traffic deaths, which have climbed above 40,000 per year each of the last three years in the U.S. for which complete records are available.

March 18, 2025 — TechRound — When you think of global leaders in innovation, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is certainly one nation that comes to mind. Made up of seven emirates, this Middle Eastern nation has gained worldwide recognition for its entrepreneurship, technological advancements and incredible infrastructure that pushes the boundaries.

The country’s free zones like Dubai Internet City and Hub71 in Abu Dhabi have been a major drawcard for foreign entrepreneurs. These are customs-free areas where no taxes or duties are levied in an attempt to attract more international business owners.

The UAE has made innovative strides in cybersecurity, sustainability and specifically in the last few years, artificial intelligence (AI).

January 7, 2025 — WASHINGTON, D.C. — The USDOT has announced the winners of the its Intersection Safety Challenge Stage 1B: System Assessment and Virtual Testing Primary Track, awarding $4 million among 10 prize-winning teams.

The winning organizations are, in Tier 1, who each receive $750,000 – Derq; University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Mobility Lab; University of Hawaii; University of Michigan.

The purpose of the Intersection Safety Challenge, a multi-stage prize competition, is to encourage teams of innovators and end-users to develop, prototype and test intersection safety systems (ISS) that leverage emerging technologies including artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to identify and mitigate unsafe conditions involving vehicles and vulnerable road users at roadway intersections.

October 28, 2024 — Detroit, MI - Derq, the leading provider of real-time AI-powered intelligent transportation system (ITS) solutions, today announced strategic investments from e& capital; the venture capital arm of e&, a global technology group headquartered in the UAE; and AT&T Ventures, the venture capital arm of AT&T, one of the largest telecommunications companies in the world.

The investments from e& capital and AT&T Ventures will be used to expand Derq’s activities in the US, GCC, and beyond, and accelerate the company’s investments in product development and growing its intellectual property (IP) portfolio.

September 17, 2024 — Dubai, UAE — Derq, the leading provider of real-time AI-powered intelligent transportation system (ITS) solutions, has announced the official launch of its video detection system (VDS) for vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists. Derq’s VDS joins the company’s full suite of product offerings designed to make roadway operations safer and more efficient. With the addition of its state-of-the-art detection system to its existing safety and traffic insights and V2X applications, Derq’s platform solidifies its position as the solution of choice for intelligent intersections on the market. [...] “This is a big milestone for our team as we strive to provide our customers with the most comprehensive video detection products for intersection management,” said Dr. Georges Aoude, co-founder and CEO of Derq.

August 26, 2024 — San Francisco, CA — Econolite, part of Umovity, and Derq, the leading provider of real-time, AI-based intelligent transportation system (ITS) solutions, announced the deployment of a state-of-the-art advanced intersection safety system with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) in Orange County’s District 12 (D12). [...] “We are proud to be working with Caltrans and Econolite to deploy Derq’s intelligent transportation system and help create a safer environment for everyone on the roads,” said Karl Jeanbart, co-founder and COO of Derq. “Our state-of-the-art AI technology, real-time data, and predictive analytics will empower the Caltrans and Orange County to make data-informed decisions as they continue their mission to eliminate road fatalities.”

July 9, 2024 — Detroit, MI — Derq, the leading provider of real-time AI-based intelligent transportation system solutions, has announced the company has been selected by the Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) of Southern Nevada to deploy an advanced intersection analytics system using artificial intelligence (AI) to study patterns and trends of road users to gain safety insights. This Stage 1 Proof-of-Concept technology deployment is funded through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s SMART Grants Program.

June 11, 2024 — Detroit, MI — Derq, the leading provider of real-time AI-based intelligent transportation system solutions, has announced the addition of Eric Raamot to the company’s Board of Advisors. This addition underscores the company’s commitment to leveraging top industry expertise to further its mission of revolutionizing road safety and efficiency through AI-powered technology.

“We are thrilled to welcome Eric to our Board of Advisors. As a highly respected thought leader in our industry, Eric brings invaluable expertise in cutting-edge traffic technology and digital infrastructure,” said Dr. Georges Aoude, co-founder and CEO of Derq. “His choice to join Derq underscores our pivotal role in the next generation of intelligent transportation solutions. Eric's unique insights into product strategy, industry partnerships, and market competitiveness, enhancing our strengths and making Derq essential in the transition to safer, smarter roads.”

Umovity and Derq announced their first joint solution at the 2024 ITS America Conference, combining Derq’s INSIGHT, the company’s automated safety performance monitoring application, with Econolite’s cloud-based Advanced Transportation Management System (ATMS), Centracs Mobility. […] Christian U. Haas, CEO of Umovity, said, “We’re crafting a distinctive traffic management solution that prioritizes the safety of all road users – particularly the most vulnerable ones, such as pedestrians and bicyclists.”

April 25, 2024 — Detroit, MI — Derq, the leading provider of real-time AI-based intelligent transportation system solutions, has announced the expansion of its traffic analytics system in Detroit. The latest deployment includes key locations along the Michigan Avenue Corridor in the Corktown neighborhood in partnership with Michigan Central, Newlab, and the City of Detroit’s Office of Mobility Innovation. […] “This section of Michigan Avenue is home to a vibrant community of local businesses and restaurants, flanked on both sides by parking and bike lanes, making it a complex environment for those traveling through the area,” said Georges Aoude, co-founder and CEO of Derq. “Together with Michigan Central, Newlab, and the City of Detroit, we’ve deployed our intelligent transportation platform to ensure a safer operating environment for all road users.”

Anaheim, 24 April 2024. The global leader for end-to-end traffic management and transportation technology, Umovity, and industry leading AI Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) provider, Derq, today announced their collaboration and first joint solution at ITS America Conference & Expo in Phoenix, AZ. By linking Derq’s INSIGHT, the company’s automated safety performance monitoring application with Econolite’s industry-leading cloud-based Advanced Transportation Management System (ATMS), Centracs® Mobility, the two companies deliver a strong traffic management solution which utilizes Artificial Intelligence (AI) to increase safety for all road users. 

From April 22-25, Derq will be exhibiting at the annual ITS America Conference and Expo at the Phoenix Convention Center in Arizona—showcasing our commitment to safer and more efficient road operations. […] If you're attending the ITS America Conference and Expo, stop by the Derq booth and learn more about how we are leveraging cutting-edge technologies to help transportation authorities and operators save lives and improve the quality of life for all road users.

We're thrilled to announce that Dr. Georges Aoude, the co-founder and CEO of Derq, will be taking the stage at this year’s Nvidia GTC conference on March 19, 2024 in San Jose, CA alongside Jason Cambridge, Transportation Technology and Innovation Manager at the Seattle Department of Transportation. Their joint session, titled "How Cities and DOTs can Implement Road Safety Technology," is set to provide invaluable insights into the adoption of cutting-edge technology for enhancing road safety with concrete examples of how the City of Seattle is partnering with innovative tech companies like Derq to make its streets safer through the deployment of edge AI-powered video analytics applications.

Derq, an award-winning MIT spin-off and leading provider of real-time AI analytics solutions for traffic safety, announced today the integration of Derq’s cutting-edge Real-Time AI Platform with Intel’s advanced technologies, representing a significant milestone to enhancing road safety and saving lives globally. […] “AI-powered Video Analytics continue to showcase its capability to revolutionize traffic safety, reduce fatalities, and facilitate traffic management applications, and the Derq AI Platform is at the forefront of this transformative wave,” said Dr. Georges Aoude, CEO and Co-Founder of Derq. “We look forward to continuing to work with Intel to scale deployments, cost effectively, within cities and critical infrastructure across the US and the globe.”

Derq, an award-winning MIT spin-off and leading provider of real-time artificial intelligence (AI) analytics solutions for connected roads and vehicles, announced today it has officially been named an Ally in Action by the U.S Department of Transportation (USDOT) to join its National Roadway Safety Strategy (NRSS) and U.S Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg’s call to action to reverse the spike in crashes and traffic-related fatality rates. “Derq’s number one priority every single day is to eliminate all road fatalities and we are incredibly honored to align our mission with the U.S. DOT and the National Road Safety Strategy in the continued nationwide efforts of moving toward Vision Zero,” said Dr. Georges Aoude, CEO and Co-Founder of Derq.