making road cycling safer

Findings from initial development on the TESS v2 underseat cyclist blindspot monitor and anti-theft bag.

TESS v2 is an initial prototype featuring an AI edge device and camera designed to help road cyclists monitor their blindspots without taking their eyes off the road.

With TESS v1, we successfully demonstrated the ability to identify individuals using the AI module, achieving 15 detections per second. We took the same system and trained it to detect approaching hazards for cyclists like cars, trucks, and other cyclists. Our device operates independently and does not require smartphone connection to function.

Integrating TESS into a cyclist underseat bag struck us as a way to deliver the enhanced self security that TESS offers without creating undue burden on the consumer (in terms of installation, complicated use, etc). The majority of road cyclists already use an underseat bag, so we anticipate less friction from everyday users who value simplicity and avoid complex / expensive applications of tech.

To maintain bag storage functionality, we are subtly integrating the technological components into the lining, preserving the majority of volume space for personal items. There is even room to offer anti-theft features standard on all TESS underseat bags.