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Dubai to deploy artificial intelligence tech to identify cyclists riding without helmets

Technology will also be able to assess capacity of cycle tracks and speed of riders

Dubai is to deploy artificial intelligence (AI) systems on cycle tracks in the emirate which, among other things, will be able to identify cyclists riding without helmets, which are compulsory there.

The technology has been developed for the emirate’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) by local company Evoteq, which is also involved in areas such as surveillance and facial recognition.

It is being showcased as a proof of concept, including through a live demonstration, at the RTA’s stand at GITEX Technology Week 2021, currently taking place in Dubai.

The first deployment of the technology has taken place at the Nad al Sheba cycle track, and besides being able to detect whether a rider is wearing a helmet, it will also be able to determine capacity and riding speeds.

Mohammed Yousuf Al Mudharreb, CEO of RTA’s Corporate Technology Support Services Sector, said, “In designing the Smart Cycling Track, next-generation technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence have been used.

“The data gathered by this high-tech AI enabled platform will be leveraged to detect cyclists, joyriders, including joggers, and scooter riders, on the track and determine the current track occupancy.

“The smart solution also identifies the speed at which the cyclists are traveling and detects if they are wearing a helmet.

“Moreover, further trend analysis will allow the collected data to predict and prevent critical cycling incidents like crowded tracks and accidents, and alert authorities of increased risk conditions based on the collected data.”

He continued: “With the city’s aim of becoming the most cycling friendly city, the use of next-generation technologies is essential as cycling is not only a sport but also a vital link to serve first and last mile mobility needs.

“Technology today is a vital tool to enhance mobility means and make it smart and safe meets RTA’s vision; ‘The world leader in seamless & sustainable mobility’, he added.

As of the end of last year, Dubai had built nearly 500 kilometres of segregated cycle tracks and aims to increase that to 739 kilometres by 2026, with the aim of linking key locations in the emirate with public transport links.

Evoteq’s CEO, Jihad Tayara, said: “Throughout the first phase of the PoC implementation, we focused on the utilisation of the latest AI and IoT technologies to validate the viability of the solution by building and testing four key features: cyclist detection, helmet detection, speed and total occupancy.

“As a following step, we've developed an extended project roadmap for the complete track journey for cyclists, which aims to improve their safety and experience.

“In Dubai, the solution will help boost the government’s efforts to make the emirate a bicycle-friendly city, as well as promote cycling as a form of sport and fitness activity,” he added.

“We are committed to supporting the government’s road safety initiatives, in line with the vision of our wise leadership.”

Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.

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12 comments

Avatar
NPlus1Bikelights | 2 years ago
0 likes

Where are these moans of pleasure coming from? Oh, Australia.

Avatar
kingleo | 2 years ago
4 likes

Good idea - I wear a motorcycle helmet all the time, even at home - you never know, it might save my life.

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TheBillder | 2 years ago
0 likes

Presumably GITEX is an exhibition for gits?

Avatar
eburtthebike replied to TheBillder | 2 years ago
4 likes

TheBillder wrote:

Presumably GITEX is an exhibition for gits?

It's about hiring French houses for porn movies.

Avatar
chrisonabike replied to eburtthebike | 2 years ago
3 likes

eburtthebike wrote:

TheBillder wrote:

Presumably GITEX is an exhibition for gits?

It's about hiring French houses for porn movies.

Maisons pour liasons?

Avatar
brooksby | 2 years ago
4 likes

I rather get the impression that Dubai is one of those places where you REALLY don't want to attract the attention of the local law enforcement...

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joe9090 | 2 years ago
5 likes

What a crapward sh1tehole, why would anyone want to go there anyway? 

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wycombewheeler | 2 years ago
7 likes

the roads are so dangerous that cylists have to ride on segregated tracks, but still technology is best implemented ensuring cyclists wear helmets

Avatar
chrisonabike | 2 years ago
2 likes

"We are committed to supporting the government’s road safety initiatives, in line with the vision of our wise leadership."

I think you may have mis-attributed that to some Dubai company CEO when it clearly comes from Audi, BMW, Stagecoach, the Road Haulage association etc.

Avatar
eburtthebike | 2 years ago
6 likes

“With the city’s aim of becoming the most cycling friendly city,..."

"...helmets, which are compulsory there."

Sigh; gonna have to start ordering those irony meters in bulk.

Avatar
Sriracha replied to eburtthebike | 2 years ago
5 likes

... and RoboCop to ensure compliance.

Classic example of doublespeak.

Avatar
chrisonabike replied to eburtthebike | 2 years ago
4 likes

Sounds like they're using local tech to spot the unhatted fools. That's a missed opportunity for our defence industries but I'm sure friendly ol' Britain can sell them some "police equipment" (weapons) to help them deal with the menace.

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