Derq and AM Signal Partner to Distribute Industry-Leading AI Video Analytics Technology to Advance Smart Infrastructure and Improve Road Safety

MIT-Spin-Off, Derq, Partners with AM Signal in Eight Western States with Exclusivity in Colorado, Arizona, Utah and New Mexico

 MESA, AZ (September 29, 2021) - Derq, a Detroit- and Dubai-based start-up, announced today the company has partnered with AM Signal, a leader in the distribution of traffic signal control devices and Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) in the Western Region. The partnership will bring together Derq’s advanced technologies with AM Signal’s deep industry experience to enhance road safety and smart traffic infrastructure in eight states with an exclusive partnership in Colorado, Arizona, Utah and New Mexico.

AM Signal strives to be the leading Traffic Signal Control and ITS distributor in the Western United States. Their customer-centered approach combined with the forward-thinking innovators at Derq will bring a unique integrated offering to traffic signal control, ITS, road sensing and software applications. These solutions will be utilized to reduce collisions and fatalities on the roadways as well as improve traffic efficiency.

“We are excited to partner with the expert team at AM Signal to help customers improve the safety and mobility of their roads and road users, including drivers, pedestrians and cyclists, and prepare them for the future of autonomous transportation,” says Karl Jeanbart, COO and Co-Founder of Derq. “AM Signal’s approach to innovation and the ability to quickly evolve to meet emerging technologies aligns with the values that define and guide our everyday practices towards building the road infrastructure of the future.”

Derq’s real-time perception and connectivity AI platform aggregates data from different sources including traffic sensors, signal controllers and connected infrastructure. Their platforms include Derq INSIGHT and Derq SENSE. Derq INSIGHT generates an array of real-time safety and traffic insights providing up-to-date, granular data to enable analysis of safety issues. Derq SENSE is their edge-based solution that provides real-time infrastructure-based analytics for off-board cooperative perception and traffic management applications. This includes vehicle-to-everything (V2X) applications for connected and autonomous vehicles, adaptive traffic management and smart pedestrian crosswalks.

“AM Signal is pleased to announce our partnership with DERQ,” said Zac Ward, Vice President of Sales for AM Signal. “DERQ brings an advanced suite of AI and connected vehicle capabilities that will complement our business initiatives as well as bring industry-leading technology to the end user. We strongly feel DERQ is on the leading edge of where traffic technology is heading and partnerships such as this create the true core of Intelligent transportation systems.”

Derq and AM Signal are kicking off their partnership at the ITS Arizona 28th Annual Conference at the Mesa Convention Center where they will be showcasing their offering at Booth 312/314.

About Derq:  

Derq is an award-winning MIT-spinoff powering the future of roads for safer and more efficient movement of road users and autonomous vehicles. Through its proprietary and patented technology, Derq provides cities and fleets with an artificial intelligence (AI) platform that powers advanced analytics and connected & autonomous vehicle (CAV) applications to help them improve road safety and better manage traffic. Derq is a Techstars Mobility alumnus, has been recognized as an industry leader by the WEF and has received a number of awards including AI company of the year at SXSW 2019, and Top Road Safety Innovator for Vision Zero in 2020 by Together for Safer Roads. For more information, please visit www.derq.com or contact info@derq.com for general inquiries and sales@derq.com for sales inquiries.

About AM Signal:

Established in 2001, AM Signal has grown to be a leader in the distribution of traffic signal control devices and Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) in the US Rocky Mountain Region. AM Signal Inc., is a full-service distributor for numerous product lines, with full support from design to technical. For more information, please visit amsignalinc.com or contact sales@amsignalinc.com.

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Derq is a trademark of Derq, Inc.

Derq Joins the Qualcomm Smart Cities Accelerator Program

Derq Serves as a Key Solution Provider, Offering Smart Solutions for Safer Roads to the Qualcomm Smart Cities Accelerator Program Ecosystem

DETROIT, MI (August 20, 2021) - DERQ, a Detroit- and Dubai-based start-up, announced today the company has joined the Qualcomm® Smart Cities Accelerator Program. As part of the Qualcomm® Advantage Network, the Qualcomm Smart Cities Accelerator Program is designed to connect cities, municipalities, government agencies, and enterprises with an ecosystem of providers offering end-to-end smart city solutions. By connecting members searching for smart city solutions, the program aims to enrich people’s lives through the accelerated transformation of city infrastructure and services.

According to a 2018 World Health Organization study, there are an estimated 1.35 million traffic fatalities every year due to largely preventable crashes.1 Derq works closely with the automotive industry, state and local governments, and intelligent transportation systems providers to eliminate road fatalities.

Derq has built an award-winning AI analytics platform that is powering the future of connected and autonomous roads, making cities smarter and safer for all road users and enabling the deployment of autonomous vehicles at scale. Derq has live deployments in the USA, Europe, and the UAE, in forward thinking cities and states including Michigan, Ohio, Nevada, and Dubai. Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and Derq have collaborated to demonstrate the benefits of AI and V2X for road safety applications at CES 2019.2 Derq is trusted by global automotive and traffic systems leaders including Motional, DENSO, and Kapsch, and has best-in-class IP with a strong patent portfolio.

As part of the Qualcomm Smart Cities Accelerator Program, Derq will showcase a few of its industry leading AI solutions powered by the Derq Platform including:

1. Derq INSIGHT, which generates an array of real-time safety and traffic insights, providing up-to-date, accurate and granular data enabling in-depth analysis of safety issues, countermeasure development and traffic performance assessment.

2. Derq SENSE, which is an edge-based solution that provides real-time infrastructure-based analytics for off-board cooperative perception and traffic management applications, including V2X applications for connected and autonomous vehicles, adaptive traffic management, and smart pedestrian crosswalks.

“We’re honored to offer key components of smart infrastructure solutions for smart cities and spaces,” said Dr. Georges, Aoude, CEO and Co-Founder of Derq. “The Qualcomm Smart Cities Accelerator Program will help accelerate the deployment of our cutting-edge AI solutions to improve road safety and mobility today, and prepare our partners for the future of connected and autonomous transportation.”

“We are pleased to welcome Derq to the Qualcomm Smart Cities Accelerator Program to help build out progressive smart cities deployments with streamlined end-to-end capabilities,” said Sanjeet Pandit, senior director, business development and global head of Smart Cities, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. “Derq’s unique traffic management infrastructure solutions, Derq INISGHT and Derq SENSE will support the deployment of end to end safety and traffic solutions for cities and spaces.”

As a member of the Qualcomm Smart Cities Accelerator Program, Derq will work to fast-tack the transformation of cities into safer and smarter environments and help them deliver greater efficiencies, cost savings, safety, and sustainability.

About Derq:  

Derq is an award-winning MIT-spinoff powering the future of roads for safer and more efficient movement of road users and autonomous vehicles. Through its proprietary and patented technology, Derq provides cities and fleets with an artificial intelligence (AI) platform that powers advanced analytics and connected & autonomous vehicle (CAV) applications to help them improve road safety and better manage traffic. Derq is a Techstars Mobility alumnus, has been recognized as an industry leader by the WEF and has received a number of awards including AI company of the year at SXSW 2019, and Top Road Safety Innovator for Vision Zero in 2020 by Together for Safer Roads. For more information, please visit www.derq.com or contact us at info@derq.com.

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1: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241565684
2: https://en.derq.com/press-coverage/2019/1/8/derq-demonstrates-ai-based-road-safety-applications-using-c-v2x-technology-at-ces

Derq is a trademark of Derq Inc.

Qualcomm is a trademark or registered trademark of Qualcomm Incorporated.

Qualcomm Smart Cities Accelerator Program is a program of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries.

Is smart infrastructure the key to 'Vision Zero'?

Vision Zero is one of the newer strategies looking to eliminate deaths and severe injuries due to road traffic and unsafe infrastructure. First successfully implemented in parts of Europe, the strategy has recently gained traction in North American cities, in addition to the new administration. […] Companies like Waycare, Derq and Applied Information provide software that analyzes behavioral patterns of vehicles, pedestrians, and traffic flows from existing traffic infrastructure in real-time to identify and predict potential road incidents. These advanced video analytics can then activate a pedestrian blinking sign to alert a distracted driver and prevent them from colliding with a pedestrian about to cross the road.

OPINION: Why smart roads are just as important as autonomous vehicles

Dr. Georges Aoude – co-founder and CEO of Derq, an MIT spinoff that is powering the future of connected and autonomous mobility with an AI traffic management platform – looks at why smarter infrastructure is just as important as intelligent vehicles. […] With smart infrastructure now being introduced by AI startup companies such as Derq, having those ‘eyes’ outside of the vehicle also allows for greater visibility overall – making the ride not only safer, but more comfortable and with even better performance. This will also result in less-congested roads. For an average U.S. citizen, congestion costs 99 hours of their time and US$1,377 each year. Smart infrastructure can prevent traffic backups by adjusting traffic signals when needed.

UAE-based Derq secures $500K Pre-Series A investment

Derq a Detroit and Dubai-based startup, has finalized a $500K investment from Wadi Makkah Ventures as part of a Pre-Series A round that included several other global tech investors. The investment, made in December 2020, brings the total funds raised by the company to nearly $6M to date. […] Dr. Georges Aoude, CEO of Derq said “Led by the Vision 2030, the Saudi market is gearing up for an unprecedented growth centered around transforming its regions into some of the top-most livable cities in the world. We are excited to be contributing through our cutting-edge AI solutions to improve road safety and mobility in the region of Makkah and across the Kingdom. We also look forward to bringing our smart infrastructure solutions to smart cities across the Kingdom and enabling safe autonomous vehicle deployments at scale.”

Artificial Intelligence Start-Up Derq Secures Investment from Wadi Makkah Ventures

Wadi Makkah Ventures Invests in Derq to 
Bring AI technologies for Safer and Smarter Roadways in Saudi

DETROIT, MI (May 6, 2021) - DERQ, a Detroit- and Dubai-based start-up, has finalized a $500,000 investment from Wadi Makkah Ventures as part of a pre-Series A round that included several other leading global tech investors. The investment, made in December 2020, brings the total funds raised by the company to nearly $6 million to date. Derq is an MIT-spinoff and the leading AI company for video analytics powering the future of roads for the safe and efficient movement of road users and autonomous vehicles.

Derq has built an award-winning platform powered by patented AI technologies and predictive analytics helping eliminate crashes, save lives, and create safer and smarter roadways. Derq has live deployments in the USA, Europe, and the UAE, with forward thinking cities and states, including Michigan, Ohio, Nevada and Dubai. They have also partnered with, and are trusted by, global mobility leaders including Qualcomm, Kapsch, Motional and DENSO, and have best-in-class IP with a strong patent portfolio.

Wadi Makkah Ventures invests in local and international start-ups that provide services and technologies to improve and develop the quality of the services in the Hajj and Umrah sector. Wadi Makkah Ventures is thrilled to be a partner with Derq, a leading AI company, to help address key challenges and opportunities that will positively impact both the safety and mobility of vehicles and pedestrians across the Kingdom. 

This partnership also connects Derq with a strong network of regional investors that have extensive experience backing AI technology companies. Wadi Makkah is an ideal go-to-market partner for Derq in the Saudi market through both the Wadi Makkah Knowledge and Wadi Makkah Real Estate Company branches of the company.

“Led by the Vision 2030, the Saudi market is gearing up for an unprecedented growth centered around transforming its regions into some of the top-most livable cities in the world,” said Dr. Georges Aoude, CEO of Derq, “We are excited to be contributing through our cutting-edge AI solutions to improve road safety and mobility in the region of Makkah and across the Kingdom. We also look forward to bringing our smart infrastructure solutions to smart cities across the Kingdom and enabling safe autonomous vehicle deployments at scale.”

Wadi Makkah Ventures has discussed the possibility of applying the Derq technology to certain areas in the Holy Capital.

“With a planned target of 30M Umrah pilgrims and a population of 2.5M residents in Makkah city in-like with Vision 2030, the need for smart mobility solutions is critical to optimizing the capacity of the existing infrastructure in addition to streamlining traffic flows,” says Eng. Khaled Abdel-Ghani Suleimani, Chairman of the Board of Directors & The Investment Committee of Wadi Makkah Ventures. “Derq’s revolutionary technology is tackling the issues of road safety and traffic congestion in the Holy Capital. Investing in smart technologies like this will transform mobility between the holy cities – making it safer for all residents.”

About Derq:

Derq is an award-winning MIT-spinoff powering the future of roads for safer and more efficient movement of road users and autonomous vehicles. Through its proprietary and patented technology, Derq provides cities and fleets with an artificial intelligence (AI) platform that powers advanced analytics and connected & autonomous vehicle (CAV) applications to help them improve road safety and better manage traffic. Derq is a Techstars Mobility alumnus, has been recognized as an industry leader by the WEF and has received a number of awards including AI company of the year at SXSW 2019, and Top Road Safety Innovator for Vision Zero in 2020 by Together for Safer Roads.

About Wadi Makkah Ventures:

Wadi Makkah Ventures aims to invest in local and international start-ups that provide services and technologies to improve and develop the quality of the services in the Hajj and Umrah sector, to make Makkah a smart city and the Hajj and Umrah journey more convenient. Fulfilling this goal requires attracting international companies and investing in them and enabling them to enter the Saudi market to achieve the vision of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 2030 through supporting the local economy by attracting international investments to Saudi Arabia, exchanging experiences, and transferring knowledge to Saudi youth.

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Motional + Derq Partner to Give Driverless Vehicles and Bird's-Eye View

[...] Motional’s driverless vehicles process that same environment through a censor suite of of advanced LiDAR, cameras and radar that see up to 300 meters away, and a full 360 degrees around the vehicle. This superhuman vision enables driverless cars to respond faster and more safely than a human ever could. And they’re already doing so in cities around the world. [...] Derq is at the forefront of using AI and vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology to create safer roads. In the pilot, cameras, placed high up in busy intersections and connected to Derq’s AI systems running on roadside computers, will transmit data to Motional vehicles. This data will provide Motional with a different view of some of the toughest intersections they are navigating.

Partnership to Distribute Industry-Leading AI Video Analytics to Further Accelerate Road Safety and Smart Infrastructure

Partnership to Distribute Industry-Leading AI Video Analytics to Further Accelerate  
Road Safety and Smart Infrastructure   

MIT-Spin-Off, DERQ, Partners with Control Technologies to Expand AI Video Analytics Across the USA    

DETROIT, MI (March 25, 2021) - DERQ, an MIT-spin-off with an award-winning platform powered by patented AI and predictive analytics, is partnering with Control Technologies Group (CT Group), one of USA’s largest distributors of traffic signal control and intelligent transportation systems (ITS) equipment for a multi-year distribution agreement. CT Group will be distributing DERQ’s leading AI video analytics solutions for connected roads and vehicles as well as traffic and safety insights across its wide network in the US.   

The partnership ultimately brings together the forward-thinking innovators at DERQ with the established veterans in the traffic signal industry at CT Group. The demand for video analytics solutions with comprehensive offerings including safety analytics, traffic analytics and connected vehicle (CV) applications is greater than ever. Combining DERQ’s solutions with CT Group's technology offering will further build a unique integrated offering including traffic signal control, ITS equipment, road sensors, and software applications.  

“This partnership enables us to leverage CT Group's strong sales network and expertise to scale our AI solutions across the country and help improve safety and mobility for all road users including autonomous vehicles,” says Dr. Georges Aoude, CEO and Co-Founder of DERQ. “We're also excited about working with CT Group's complementary portfolio of solutions to achieve a comprehensive and unique market offering.”  

DERQ’s Real-Time Perception and Connectivity AI Platform aggregates data from different sources such as traffic sensors, signal controllers and connected infrastructure. It then uses AI to extract real-time intelligence from the data, enabling cutting-edge CAV applications as well as actionable Safety and Traffic Insights. DERQ’s Platform is hardware agnostic, flexible and scalable, providing immediate value to both customers with existing sensor deployments and those seeking to deploy innovative smart mobility ecosystems.  

The CT Group is looking to expand its footprint in the smart intersection and CV arena and is excited about the standalone opportunities of the DERQ solutions as well as the capability to merge the DERQ software and capabilities with products they currently distribute. The multi-year agreement provides rights of representation in 26 states across the US with exclusivity in the Southeast and Northwest where the CT Group has exemplary representation and over 40 years of Traffic Signal and ITS experience.   

“The CT Group is excited about the market opportunities the new agreement with DERQ will facilitate,” says Mike Day, President of CT Group. “The partnership will promote interoperability of the DERQ platform with our existing Traffic Detection and Smart Intersection offerings in addition to the unique and compelling standalone capabilities. We look forward to a long and successful partnership.”  

About DERQ:   

DERQ is an award-winning MIT-spinoff powering the future of roads for safer and more efficient movement of road users and autonomous vehicles. Through its proprietary and patented technology, Derq provides cities and fleets with an artificial intelligence (AI) platform that powers advanced analytics and connected & autonomous vehicle (CAV) applications to help them improve road safety and better manage traffic.  

Derq has deployed and proven its technology across multiple geographies globally, including in Michigan, Ohio, California and Nevada. Derq has also been recognized as an industry leader by the WEF and has received a number of awards including AI company of the year at SXSW 2019, and Top Road Safety Innovator for Vision Zero in 2020 by Together for Safer Roads. For more information regarding this release please contact info@derq.com; for sales inquiries please contact sales@derq.com. 

 About Control Technologies Group:  

The 40 plus year old CT Group consists of the following companies and locations. Control Technologies, Traffic Control Products, CT West, & CT Northwest. CT Group has offices in Orlando, FL (Corporate Headquarters), Atlanta, GA, Washington, D.C., Cleveland, OH, Indianapolis, IN, Hershey, PA, Carlsbad, CA, Sacramento, CA, Salem, Oregon, and Seattle, WA.                                                                        

CT Group has distributed and manufactured cutting-edge traffic signal control and ITS products since its inception. CT Group has manufactured over 20,000 Traffic Control and ITS Cabinets in over forty years. CT Group is active in the Connected Vehicle and Smart Intersection market and represents several products in that arena. The CT Group is becoming the “Go-To” company for providing the complex solutions that their customers need. For more information, please visit https://www.ct-grp.com/.  

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Startup Green Lights AI Analytics to Improve Traffic, Pedestrian Safety

Derq is excited to be recognized and featured by NVIDIA, one of the world’s most respected technology companies.

According to NVIDIA: “For all the attention devoted to self-driving cars, there’s another, often-overlooked, aspect to transportation efficiency and safety: smarter roads. Derq, a startup operating out of Detroit and Dubai, has developed an AI system that can be installed on intersections and highways. Its AI edge appliance uses NVIDIA GPUs to process video and other data from cameras and radars to predict crashes before they happen and to warn connected road users. It can also understand roadways better, with applications ranging from accurate traffic counts to predicting spots on roads that are most prone to crashes.”

Las Vegas offers best and worst in transportation challenges

[…] One of the city's efforts to reduce deaths has been to partner with Derq, a tech company that deploys software on existing infrastructure and uses cameras and radar to analyze the movement of vehicles and other road users. It can issue warnings in real time via vehicle-to-everything connections, and it can analyze near misses and provide city leaders with insight on trouble spots before collisions occur. [...]

With the Boring Co., Derq, the promise of air taxis and the realities of wide streets, Las Vegas has become the most interesting place in the country to see transportation's present and future.

Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority partners with Derq to deploy AI-based solution to monitor adherence to COVID-19 guidelines

Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority (DSOA) has partnered with Derq, a Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) spinoff, to deploy an Artificial Intelligence (AI) based solution to support cities in ensuring compliance with COVID-19 response measures. […] Dr. Georges Aoude, Co-Founder and CEO of Derq, said, “Derq’s efforts have always been rooted in our mission to enhance citizens’ safety. Through this initiative, we are able to do just that in the places that matter most – on our roads, and in our hospitals, offices, malls, beaches, and airports.”

Can smart sensor systems anticipate and avoid danger?

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.[...] In many cities, these intersections already have cameras, so Derq aims to partner with the cities to make use of these cameras.

Together For Safer Roads Announces Winners of 2020

Together for Safer Roads (TSR), a coalition of leading private sector companies driven to save lives, today announced the winning Cohort for its third annual Global Entrepreneur Program (GEP). CyVision, Derq and Populus will comprise Cohort 3 and join the coalition as associate members.

Derq Partners with DENSO’s Ohio Smart Mobility Ecosystem to Drive Safety Solutions

Dublin-based ecosystem to serve as testing and implementation grounds for Derq’s AI platform that aims to eliminate road accidents and manage traffic

DETROIT – October 24, 2019 – Derq is proud to be a key partner in the cutting-edge smart mobility ecosystem in Dublin, Ohio. DENSO, the world’s second largest mobility supplier, announced the launch of this exciting initiative in August. The smart mobility ecosystem will be used to test and implement infrastructure technologies, create value-added mobility services, and gather previously untapped data that are vital to increasing road and pedestrian safety and reducing travel times. In addition to Derq, DENSO has partnered with several municipal, state, business, and academic partners.

"The City of Dublin has a long history of innovation in service delivery and community development," said Megan O'Callaghan, City of Dublin Public Works Director. "DENSO and Derq help bring this innovation to the roadways our citizens use every day, improving safety and mobility in our city. Our partnership with DENSO and Derq is off to a promising start, and we are excited to continue working together.”

As part of this ecosystem, Derq has installed its edge computing platform to take in feeds from traffic cameras, sensors, and connected infrastructure, in turn powering a combination of active safety and analytics applications. These applications will help improve road safety for citizens of Dublin in real time while also unlocking deep insights into how road users move and behave on their streets. These insights will help city planners ensure their roadways are as safe and efficient as possible.

“Derq is an exciting and innovative partner that truly lives by its mission to leverage technology to make roads safer, which helps reduce injuries and deaths caused by traffic accidents. Partnering with Derq helps us to not only gather and analyze data to improve safety in the long term, but also to take active measures to predict and prevent accidents in real time. We at DENSO look forward to continuing our partnership with Derq in Dublin, and to exploring new opportunities in the future,” said David J. Smith, Director of Strategy for DENSO.

“Working with DENSO and the City of Dublin in the Smart Mobility Ecosystem partnership has been an incredible opportunity for us at Derq. We are able to help the city better understand how road users move about the roadways in Dublin, with an ultimate goal of making those roadways safer for everyone using them. At the same time, we are part of a group that is pushing the cutting edge on connected ecosystem technology to make roads safer and more efficient, and we look forward to helping additional cities follow in Dublin's footsteps,” said Georges Aoude, CEO at Derq.

Derq is excited to build on this successful partnership with DENSO to bring smart mobility solutions to additional cities in the U.S., helping to further the company’s mission to save lives by making roadways safer and smarter.

About Derq

Derq develops an AI platform that integrates with existing traffic and sensor systems and powers real-time advanced analytics and connected vehicle safety applications to help cities and road authorities eliminate road accidents and better manage traffic. Derq has offices in Detroit and Dubai and has deployed its technology in North America, Europe and the Middle East. Derq was founded in 2016, graduated from the Techstars Mobility accelerator in Detroit in 2017 and the Kapsch Factory1 accelerator in 2019, won the AI category of the SXSW Pitch in and was one of the winners of the Dubai World Challenge for Self-Driving Transport in 2019. For more information, go to https://www.derq.com/.

About DENSO

DENSO is a $48.3 billion global mobility supplier that develops advanced technology and components for nearly every vehicle make and model on the road today. With manufacturing at its core, DENSO invests in its 221 facilities in 35 countries to produce thermal, powertrain, mobility, electrification, & electronic systems, to create jobs that directly change how the world moves. The company's 170,000+ employees are paving the way to a mobility future that improves lives, eliminates traffic accidents, and preserves the environment. Globally headquartered in Kariya, Japan, DENSO spent 9.3 percent of its global consolidated sales on research and development in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2019. For more information about global DENSO, visit https://www.denso.com/global.    

In North America, DENSO is headquartered in Southfield, Michigan, and employs 27,000+ engineers, researchers and skilled workers across 51 sites in the U.S, Canada and Mexico. In the United States alone, DENSO employs 17,700+ employees across 14 states (and the District of Columbia) and 41 sites. In fiscal year ending March 31, 2019, DENSO in North America generated $10.9 billion in consolidated sales. DENSO is committed to advancing diversity and inclusion inside the company and beyond – a principle that brings unique perspectives together, bolsters innovation and pushes DENSO forward. Join us, and craft not only how the world moves, but also your career: www.densocareers.com. For more information, go to https://www.denso.com/us-ca/en/.  

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Derq is a trademark of Derq Inc.

DENSO is a trademark owned or licensed by DENSO International America, Inc. or its affiliates.

Five Reasons Michigan Has Become 'Silicon Valley Of Mobility Tech'

DENSO Launches its First Smart Mobility Ecosystem in Dublin, Ohio

Here’s how AI is working to improve safety at one of Detroit’s most dangerous intersections

The intersection of Jefferson Avenue and Randolph Street in downtown Detroit is often cited as one of the most dangerous in the metro area. But that could change in the near future, thanks to a recently completed pilot project that aims to nip accidents in the bud by alerting drivers in advance to dangerous situations.

That project was spearheaded by Dubai- and Detroit-based artificial intelligence company Derq, in partnership with the city of Detroit, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. Last spring, Derq installed over 10 sensors, including video cameras, thermal cameras, and radar sensors, at Jefferson and Randolph to monitor vehicle and pedestrian behavior. Derq, a PlanetM Landing Zone member, used a PlanetM grant to fund the project.

Dr. Georges Aoude, Derq co-founder and CEO, says Derq chose the intersection for its extreme complexity. It connects two major highways and the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel, and also has multiple major pedestrian crossings. What's more, Aoude says, "the rules are different depending on how you're approaching it."

"You have two right turns on red, one unprotected left turn, one mandatory right turn, two forbidden left turns, (and) one forbidden right turn," he says. "So you see a lot of road users violating those rules on a daily basis."

Aoude and his team set out both to study how people were using the road, and to begin to predict that behavior. Derq installed industry-standard sensors at the intersection, but combined the data the sensors recorded with Derq's own machine-learning algorithms.

"That way we're not able to only have these sensors see, but they can also think, detect, and predict in real time those dangerous situations," Aoude says.

The end result is a system that has successfully learned to anticipate a car running a red light, or a pedestrian stepping out in front of traffic, two or more seconds in advance.

"Those few seconds can make a big difference between potentially colliding with a person and coming to a safe stop," Aoude says.

The system has yet to prevent any accidents, but its potential will likely be actualized very soon as vehicle-to-infrastructure communications technology comes into play. A sensor that detects a vehicle or person about to cross against oncoming traffic could then send an alert to any connected vehicles at risk of a collision. Those drivers would then receive an advance warning on their dashboards to slow down or stop. Autonomous vehicles could receive a signal to slow down or stop on their own.

The project also has broader implications for addressing the underlying issues that cause accidents in the first place. Aoude says the sensors collect information on overall traffic flow and can therefore identify dangerous trends – for example, the way the timing of a traffic signal may make drivers more likely to run a red light at a given time of day. Aoude says road operators will be able to reduce accidents on a case-by-case, short-term basis, but "in the long term they can make changes that will improve the traffic flow, the schedules, (and) the rules."

Aoude says the Jefferson-Randolph project was particularly helpful for Derq because it was one of the most complex intersections the company had worked on at the time. The company's previous installations had been in Dubai, so Detroit's very different weather patterns provided an additional layer of challenge.

"We had to adapt and learn how to handle the complexity," he says.

As a result, Derq has taken on projects of similar complexity in additional markets. It now has an installation in Vienna, and Aoude says a project in Ohio will likely be announced soon. Here in Detroit, Derq's one-year pilot period is over. But Aoude says the company is in discussions with MDOT about potentially adding more services to the Jefferson-Randolph intersection, adding more sensors in the immediate area, and doing projects in other Michigan cities.

"This is a continuously ongoing process," he says. "As we collect information, as we keep training our algorithms, we're learning new things."

10 start-ups that are helping to change the Arab world

[…] Here's a closer look at just some of the start-ups that are helping to solve several of the region's most pressing challenges. […] Derq (United Arab Emirates) - Road traffic accidents kill 1.35 million people every year, according to the World Health Organisation. Derq wants to change that.

Derq Awarded First Prize for Artificial Intelligence at 2019 SXSW Pitch®

AUSTIN, TX — March 10, 2019 — Derq Inc., an artificial-intelligence (AI) company, which delivers innovative road safety solutions that help eliminate crashes and save lives, today announced the company took home first prize for Artificial Intelligence at the 11th annual SXSW Pitch® (formerly SXSW Accelerator), the marquee event of South by Southwest® (SXSW®) Conference and Festival’s (March 8-17, 2019) Entrepreneurship & Startups Track.

The World Health Organization estimates that there are 1.35 million traffic fatalities every year due to largely preventable crashes. Derq, an MIT spin-off and Techstars Mobility alum, is working closely with the automotive industry, state and local governments, and intelligent transportation systems providers to drastically reduce this number. In its active deployments in Dubai and Detroit, Derq’s software monitors vehicles, pedestrians, bicycles, scooters, and other vulnerable road user interactions to predict and prevent collisions, creating up to two additional seconds of warning-time for drivers and vehicles.

SXSW Pitch honored 10 of the world’s most exciting innovations in categories including Artificial Intelligence, Augmented & Virtual Reality, Blockchain, Enterprise & Smart Data, Entertainment & Content, Health & Wearables, Hyper-Connected Communities, Social & Culture, Sports & Performance Data, and Transportation & Delivery.

“We are honored to be recognized for our work in Artificial Intelligence to reduce road accidents and save lives,” said Dr. Georges Aoude, Co-Founder & CEO of Derq. “Derq partners with leading government and technology agencies to make roads safer and smarter across the globe. We believe this award shines an important light on the challenges facing drivers and road owners / operators, and we look forward to continuing to contribute to making roads safer across the globe.”

During Derq’s pitch, Dr. Aoude highlighted how Derq’s patented and award-winning algorithms analyze roadside sensor data in real-time to predict dangerous situations with enough time to warn drivers. Dr. Aoude shared  how Derq’s applications focus on detecting, classifying, and tracking the movements of all road users – vehicles, pedestrians, bicycles, and scooters – and how Derq’s proprietary algorithms predict the behaviors and intentions of these road users in order to better inform the decisions of all drivers. In addition to driving “active safety,” Derq provides road owners / operators with advanced understanding of road usage and behaviors to help inform road management and design. Derq is currently live in both Dubai and Michigan, where its applications will benefit both conventional and autonomous vehicles.

"For more than a decade, we’ve had the pleasure of watching the leading startups of today and tomorrow successfully capture the attention of investors, partners and prospective customers – giving innovative CEOs the added boost and confidence they sometimes need to exceed the goals they've set for themselves and their teams,” said SXSW Pitch Event Producer Chris Valentine. “This year’s winners showcase the best of the best when it comes to delivering cutting-edge solutions that inspire change in their respective industries and change around the world. Our team at SXSW Pitch has been left inspired and impressed, and we look forward to witnessing their future successes.”

For more information about SXSW Pitch and to view the complete list of winners, visit: https://www.sxsw.com/pitch

About Derq

Derq is mission-driven to reduce road accidents and save lives by using artificial intelligence and V2X technology. Through its proprietary technology Derq can predict and help prevent road collisions for both conventional and autonomous vehicles by leveraging smart city and connected vehicle ecosystems. Derq was founded in 2016 and is headquartered in Dubai and Michigan. To learn more, visit: www.derq.com, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

Derq is a trademark of Derq Inc.

About SXSW

SXSW dedicates itself to helping creative people achieve their goals. Founded in 1987 in Austin, Texas, SXSW is best known for its conference and festivals that celebrate the convergence of the interactive, film, and music industries. The event, an essential destination for global professionals, features sessions, showcases, screenings, exhibitions, and a variety of networking opportunities. SXSW proves that the most unexpected discoveries happen when diverse topics and people come together. SXSW 2019 will take place March 8-17.

Media Contact:

media@derq.com

Derq Demonstrates AI-Based Road Safety Applications With Qualcomm Technologies Using C-V2X Technology at CES

Derq C-V2X Demonstration Available at the Qualcomm Technologies Automotive Booth, Located in the Las Vegas Convention Center North Hall (Booth #5609) 

LAS VEGAS – January 7, 2019 - Derq Inc., an artificial-intelligence (AI) company, which delivers innovative road safety solutions that help eliminate collisions and save lives, announced today the company will showcase Derq’s AI-powered road safety applications at the Consumer Electronic Show (CES) 2019.  The demonstration will showcase how its software can potentially help create safer environments for pedestrian and vehicles.  Derq has worked with Qualcomm Technologies to showcase these capabilities using the cutting-edge Qualcomm® 9150 C-V2X chipset solution, at Qualcomm Technologies automotive booth, located in the North Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center (booth #5609).  The Qualcomm 9150 C-V2X chipset solution is a product of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., a subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated.

The World Health Organization estimates that there are 1.35 million traffic fatalities every year due to largely preventable crashes. Derq, an MIT spin-off and Techstars Mobility alum, is working closely with the automotive industry, state and local governments, and intelligent transportation systems providers to drastically reduce this number. In its active deployments in Dubai and Detroit, Derq’s software monitors vehicles, pedestrians, bicycles, scooters, and other vulnerable road user interactions to predict and prevent collisions, creating up to two additional seconds of warning-time for drivers and vehicles. Working with Qualcomm Technologies in this showcase, Derq is demonstrating how C-V2X - a global solution for vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology - is designed to support improved automotive safety, automated driving, and traffic efficiency, and is based on globally recognized 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) specifications with ongoing evolution designed to offer forward compatibility with 5G.

“This year at CES, we’re thrilled to work with Qualcomm Technologies to demonstrate the integration of Derq’s AI software with the Qualcomm 9150 C-V2X chipset solution to showcase how AI-based applications can help predict and prevent road collisions before they happen,” said Dr. Georges Aoude, Co-Founder and CEO of Derq. “We’re mission-driven to help save lives and drastically reduce crashes. We believe that working closely with governments and industry leaders, such as Qualcomm Technologies, will aid in ensuring a safer future for everyone, while advancing connected and autonomous vehicles. Scaling V2X infrastructure on roads and in-vehicles will scale the benefits of Derq’s road safety applications to further help eliminate road crashes.”

The demonstration will be featured at Qualcomm Technologies’ automotive booth during the Consumer Electronic Show (CES) 2019, located in the North Hall, booth #5609. To learn more about Derq and the company’s AI-powered road safety software email contact@derq.com.

About Derq

Derq is mission-driven to eliminate road accidents and save lives by using artificial intelligence and V2X technology. Through its proprietary technology Derq can predict and help prevent road collisions for both conventional and autonomous vehicles leveraging smart city and connected vehicle ecosystems. Derq was founded in 2016 and is headquartered in Dubai and Michigan. To learn more, visit: www.derq.com, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

Derq is a trademark of Derq Inc.

Qualcomm is a trademark of Qualcomm Incorporated, registered in the United States and other countries. Other product and brand names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

Qualcomm 9150 C-V2X chipset is a product of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries.