This article originally appeared in the May/June issue of Startups Magazine. Click here to subscribe

According to Begin Motorcycling, motorbike accidents in the UK have a significantly higher fatality rate compared to other vehicles – despite motorcycles making up just a small portion of road traffic. Likewise, each year in London more than 1,000 people are injured or killed by drivers exceeding the speed limit - often on roads with lower speed limits (20/30mph) according to TfL.

With more than two decades of experience in the automotive industry, DOCK-Y’s Founder and CEO Manish Pillay, has developed a sophisticated safety system that integrates AI, computer vision, and sensor fusion to provide real-time alerts and feedback to riders, improving their situational awareness and reaction times to prevent accidents from happening.

The evolution of an idea

The initial concept of DOCK-Y was focused on developing an e-scooter because of its manageable size and rising market popularity.

"We started two years ago, and rather than focusing on the technology aspect, it was more about focusing on building a vehicle, which has got these extra features to make the journey safe."

However, through discussions with colleagues CBIT Nottingham Trent University, it was soon realised that the core contribution could be in enhancing vehicular safety and security technology, rather than building vehicles. It was this realisation that led them to pivot from manufacturing vehicles to creating a sophisticated safety system.

The system, composed of both software and hardware, is focused on tapping into an unexplored niche in the safety technology market, which has only been similarly pursued by major companies like Tesla and Volvo in the automobile sector.

The DOCK-Y technology stack

At the heart of DOCK-Y’s innovation is ARAS (Advanced Rider Assist System), a suite of AI-driven technologies, including computer vision and sensor fusion, which have been meticulously designed to augment the safety of two and three-wheeled vehicles.

This technology stack is not designed to just offer added features, it is designed to fundamentally change the interaction between the vehicle and its environment.

Manish elaborates on how these systems function in real-world scenarios: "Everything that we do is focused on AI and computer vision and sensor fusion. So, if you’re riding, and there is a pedestrian 100 metres away, or a car approaching from a side street, our system can alert the rider with various sensory perceptions such as visual signals, auditory beeps, or even haptic feedback through vibrations in the handlebars. We have perfected the various scenarios occurring on city roads and used accelerated algorithms providing real-time feedback."

These innovations are an important step towards actively taking safety measures that enable riders to react more swiftly and effectively to potential hazards, thereby reducing the risk of accidents.

Fuelling the passion: the ups and downs of a founder journey

Funding

Navigating the financial landscape has been one of the most challenging aspects of Manish’s journey with DOCK-Y. The transition from a technological concept to a viable product required not just ingenuity in product development but also skill in securing the necessary capital to sustain and scale the business.

"[Funding] has been a challenge. One reason is that we’ve been focused so much on developing the tech, and fundraising is a 24/7 job – so trying to divide time between the two is a challenge."

Despite the time constraints, DOCK-Y has secured crucial funding from private clients who believe in the technology and placed orders of circa £100,000 to enable them to develop the product. This support has been instrumental in moving from initial prototypes to advanced stages of product readiness, allowing DOCK-Y to begin contemplating large-scale production.

“We have customer projects, we have interest from customers, and we have clients. So the recipe is all there. Which means rather than looking at smaller grants, 50,000 or 100,000, we can now look at the kinds of grants that will really accelerate it.”

Challenges

Manish says his biggest challenges as a business are managing a small team, working on multiple roles, and having to adapt to changes without adequate financial resources.

“Having to cram everything we can into one day means we’ve got to do everything at 10 times the speed as everyone else [in safety tech] would do. And then we’ve got to make sure that we deliver our short-term set targets as well as keep moving forwards and adapting to change.”

Highlights

Manish’s highlights stem from DOCK-Y’s perseverance and the validation that DOCK-Y receives from external interest in their product.

Their customer engagement has led to organic collaborations with some of the largest bike manufacturers in the world which, in turn, reflect the industry's recognition and need of their technology.

Be resourceful

Being a small business, Manish and his team have learnt to utilise a resourceful skillset and really home in on ways to grow the company whilst keeping costs down.

The vision is to expand from a lean team of eight to around 26 members and deliver a product that will change the way people commute in cities.

“The main team is [in the UK], and we have a few software coders, AI coders in India. The team is comprised of myself, AI and Embedded engineers and Product designer and we also try to get help from various universities … we use their apprenticeship schemes and interns. In fact, most of the coders in India are interns who are here for six months or more, then someone else will come in. We've got a system that is set up in such a way that they can work on small chunks of work, enhance their learning, and move on if they want, or they can stay here. There are eight people in our team today, but we’d really like to grow because there's a lot happening. We also get help from our customers who have lent us their equipment and resources for critical proof of concept development. Another support we received was from the CBIT Venture Builder programme, where the team served as our sparring partner and engaged in multiple rounds of refining the business model and the process mapping of DOCK-Y.

“We’re pushing towards getting the right kind of grants and funding this year.”

The road to market adoption

As DOCK-Y’s vision edges closer to production, the focus has shifted towards refining the technology and preparing for a broader rollout.

Manish's background in the automotive industry, where he dealt with high-stakes projects involving safety systems for military and luxury vehicles, has provided him with the expertise to navigate this crucial phase effectively.

His expertise is now being channelled into ensuring that DOCK Y's innovations can be seamlessly integrated into existing vehicle frameworks, which will broaden their applicability and potential impact on urban mobility.

"Everything that we do is focused on AI and computer vision and sensor fusion.”

Eyes on the horizon

Manish’s vision for DOCK-Y is driven by a commitment to environmental sustainability and the promotion of active travel as a viable alternative to car-centric urban transport systems.

By improving the safety of bicycles, e-scooters, and other lightweight vehicles, DOCK-Y aims to encourage more people to embrace these eco-friendly modes of transport.

"The vision is to build a safety system that is safe, secure, and smart enough so that it can go on any two (or three) wheelers and improve the adoption of active travel all over the world.”

This approach not only addresses the immediate safety concerns associated with two-wheeled vehicles but also contributes to broader environmental goals, such as reducing urban congestion and lowering carbon emissions.

The future of DOCK-Y

Looking forward, DOCK-Y has consciously positioned itself to become a significant player in the global shift towards safer and more sustainable urban transport solutions.

The potential for DOCK-Y's technology to integrate into various vehicle types is key to enabling widespread adoption that is set to keep riders safe as well as impact on the way cities think about transport safety and environmental responsibility.

The main focus for DOCK-Y remains on refining its product, expanding its market reach, and continuing to innovate – and with a solid foundation built on advanced technology and a clear vision, Manish and his team are well-equipped to drive forward the evolution of transport safety.

On leaving, Manish offers some advice to startups: “Don't worry about whether it's right or wrong, just keep working on it.

“Also, manage your priorities. I think it's quite important to have that grit and keep going no matter what because you only get those moments where you say, ‘we are really doing the right thing’, once in a month or once in a year. They don’t come frequently enough. But it's the persistence in carrying on that is the key thing.”

Manish also notes the critical importance of networking and marketing for startups, especially for founders who are technical experts but not necessarily skilled in promotion. He also emphasises the significant role that strategic partnerships and expert guidance can play in navigating the business landscape, especially when resources are limited.