10107127An Innovative Electric Scooter with AI-Powered Helmet Detection and Facial Recognition to Improve Rider SafetyClosedLaunchpadInnovate UKHilo EV Limited is a UK-based micromobility company led by Robin Harris, James Browne, Ashley May, and David Evans dedicated to enhancing electric scooter safety through innovative solutions. Their latest project aims to enhance the safety of e-scooter riders and pedestrians by using immersive technology. They plan to achieve this by implementing an AI-powered helmet detection system with facial recognition, which significantly improves rider safety during e-scooter journeys. E-scooter use could have a positive environmental impact and assist the UK in achieving its net-zero targets. However, the safety record of e-scooters deters many from adopting them as their chosen mode of transport. In fact, e-scooter riding could be a hundred times more hazardous than bike riding, according to a TfL study. 2021 saw almost 1.5K e-scooter riders injured or killed. Hilo is an Al-assisted e-scooter featuring intelligent lighting, helmet detection and warning systems that reduce the risk of accidents by 65% compared to existing e-scooters. Due to the prevalence of accidents involving e-scooters, Hilo's primary goal is to mitigate the risk of facial and head injuries. To address this critical concern, the project aims to implement an intelligent, AI-driven helmet detection system that enables the Hilo e-scooter to identify and track whether the rider is wearing a helmet in real-time. By utilising helmet detection with facial recognition, the system can alert the rider to the presence or absence of a helmet and control parameters such as unlocking the scooter for operation and controlling the maximum speed, enhancing overall safety on the road. The technology is a proactive measure to promote responsible riding behaviour and reduce the risk of head injuries associated with e-scooter use. Implementing AI and facial recognition improves rider safety and creates a more secure and responsible micromobility ecosystem. McKinsey & Company (2019) estimates the global micromobility market in 2030 to be £240B, with e-scooters representing 20% of that market (£48B). Private ownership is assumed to account for 80% of e-scooter sales (£38B), with 10% being premium products (£3.8B), resulting in a global addressable market size of £3.8B. Hilo targets 10% of that premium market in 2030, 20% of which will be in the UK, assuming legislative changes.