AI assistance systems also for cycling - new LOEWE project

Fewer and fewer traffic fatalities - this is also thanks to artificial intelligence (AI), which has been used extensively in cars for years, for example in emergency braking assistants. A research network at the University of Kassel now also wants to use AI to make cycling safer. The Hessian state government is funding the project with around 4.8 million euros, as announced today (June 28).

The "DyNaMo: Safe and sustainable mobility in the city of tomorrow" project is working on several levels: On the one hand, AI-based analyses will be used to initiate infrastructure measures - such as traffic calming measures on certain roads - and to set up training courses for cyclists. Secondly, the behavior of cyclists is to be better mapped in the AI systems of cars, thus preventing collisions. And finally, the research group also wants to develop AI-based assistance systems for cyclists, similar to the systems in motor vehicles.

"Up to now, vehicle systems have lacked the basic AI technology to recognize cyclists' driving behavior in detail, for example when they raise their arm before turning," explains Prof. Dr.-Ing. Klaus David, computer scientist at the University of Kassel and spokesperson for the consortium. "As far as cyclists are concerned, AI is not yet being used to detect their cycling behavior in detail, even though many of them have wearables, such as smartwatches, or their smartphones with them. This means that there are actually enough sensors available to record the cyclist's behavior. The AI algorithms required to detect behavioral errors have not yet been developed and researched."

The aim is to reduce the number of cycling fatalities and at the same time make cycling more attractive. Road accidents, especially those involving cars, are currently the number one cause of death worldwide for children and young adults up to the age of 29.

The project combines perspectives from computer science, law, traffic science and traffic psychology. Prof. Dr.-Ing. Klaus David, Prof. Dr. Bernhard Sick, Prof. Dr. Gerrit Hornung, Prof. Dr. Angela Francke and Prof. Dr.-Ing Carsten Sommer are involved. Associated partner is the Hessian University of Applied Sciences for Public Management and Security, represented by Police Chief Superintendent Jens Peters.

Prof. Dr. Michael Wachendorf, Vice President Research at the University of Kassel, was delighted with this success and congratulated on behalf of the university management.

The state of Hesse is funding the project as part of the LOEWE program, the state offensive for the development of scientific and economic excellence.

Contact:

Prof. Dr. Klaus David
University of Kassel
Department of Communication Technology
E-mail: klaus.david[at]comtec.eecs.uni-kassel[dot]de