Superpedestrian has gained 125 million USD to enhance and expand the LINK shared e-scooter service and deploy its new pedestrian defence safety system in the first 25 cities across the US and Europe.
The AI-based software collects data from multiple sensors and integrates them with the scooter’s on-board vehicle intelligence to take real-time action on the scooter.
The system can precisely determine the e-scooter’s location and detect potentially unsafe riding behaviours, including sidewalk riding, stunt riding, aggressive swerving, and “salmoning” against traffic. Upon detection, the system will intervene to slow or stop a scooter in real time.
Assaf Biderman, founder and CEO of Superpedestrian, said:Over the past 9 years, we have developed a unique software platform that addresses the core challenges of electric vehicle fleets. From predictive-maintenance and repair automation, to fine-grain locationing and curb management, our platform is rich with advanced capabilities that enable safer and more reliable transportation solutions. With this latest funding round, we are boosting our investment and scaling up our deployments in micromobility and beyond.
Following recent successful field tests, the pedestrian defence system will now be integrated into Superpedestrian’s LINK e-scooter fleet.
This undertaking is enabled through significant investments from Jefferies, Antara Capital, the Sony Innovation Fund, and FM Capital, as well as existing backers such as Spark Capital, General Catalyst and the Citi Impact Fund.
Gen Tsuchikawa, Chief Investment Manager for Sony Innovation Fund and CEO and Chief Investment Officer for Innovation Growth Ventures (IGV), said:Superpedestrian brings together best-in class vehicles, an advanced software platform, and efficient fleet operations, enabling them to safely integrate small electric vehicles into crowded city streets. With an experienced executive team and strong operations in a variety of markets and geographies around the world, we are pleased to welcome Superpedestrian to IGV's growing portfolio of promising mobility-focused startups.
