The Velidar project was initiated by Younes Boujedli as part of the "Entrepreneurship Project" course in his second year of the Master BMC Innovation in Biotechnology at Sorbonne University. This innovative project aims to improve road safety for cyclists by addressing a key issue: the feeling of insecurity that prevents many people from using bicycles in urban environments.
Statistics show that around 60% of people are reluctant to use bicycles due to safety concerns. This insight motivated Younes to develop Velidar, a blind spot detection system for bicycles, created in collaboration with Sorbonne University's FabLab.
The Velidar system seeks to encourage urban cyclists by reducing road hazards, allowing them to detect nearby vehicles and making cycling a safer and more appealing mode of transport.
Velidar is a two-part system designed to detect vehicles approaching from behind and provide real-time visual alerts to cyclists:
- Placement: Mounted on the bike's seat post.
- Functionality: Has a wide detection angle, ensuring a broad coverage of the cyclist's surroundings.
- Placement: Attached to the bike's handlebar for easy visibility.
- Functionality: The danger level is calculated by the detection module and visually represented on the LED bar. This system allows cyclists to easily gauge the level of risk at a glance.
The primary mission of Velidar is to promote the use of bicycles in urban areas by enhancing road safety. By offering cyclists a practical solution to one of the most common hazards—vehicles approaching from behind—the Velidar system aims to boost confidence and reduce accidents, contributing to the wider adoption of cycling as a daily mode of transportation.
Velidar is not just an idea—it's a working prototype that has already been recognized and awarded for its innovative approach to cyclist safety. The project is continuing to receive support and mentorship from Pépite Sorbonne, as it moves towards full development and commercialization.
- Younes Boujedli – Project Lead and Developer
- Zaccarie Kanit - Embedded System Engineer
- FabLab, Sorbonne University – Prototype Development Partner
- Pépite Sorbonne – Business Incubation and Mentorship
If you'd like to learn more or get involved with Velidar, please visit our project repository, where we will continue to share updates and progress on the development of this life-saving technology for cyclists.