Initiative details
Urban environments present significant safety challenges for commercial vehicle operators, particularly when vulnerable road users (VRUs) such as pedestrians and cyclists interact with large vehicles. While existing regulations and safety systems have improved protection, important gaps remain.
Most current side-detection systems are designed primarily to detect cyclists travelling at speed and focus on straight-line scenarios. However, many serious incidents occur when vehicles move off or turn, particularly involving slow-moving pedestrians, older people, children, and other vulnerable road users. Existing systems can also generate excessive false alarms, causing drivers to become desensitised to warnings and reducing their effectiveness.
Radar Predict Plus was developed to address these challenges. By combining radar technology with AI-powered camera analytics, the system accurately identifies vulnerable road users while filtering out irrelevant objects and minimising unnecessary alerts. It provides targeted warnings only when a genuine risk exists, helping drivers stay focused and respond effectively.
The initiative addresses a critical safety gap by improving protection in real-world operating conditions, particularly at low speeds and during manoeuvres where vulnerable road users are most at risk.
Most current side-detection systems are designed primarily to detect cyclists travelling at speed and focus on straight-line scenarios. However, many serious incidents occur when vehicles move off or turn, particularly involving slow-moving pedestrians, older people, children, and other vulnerable road users. Existing systems can also generate excessive false alarms, causing drivers to become desensitised to warnings and reducing their effectiveness.
Radar Predict Plus was developed to address these challenges. By combining radar technology with AI-powered camera analytics, the system accurately identifies vulnerable road users while filtering out irrelevant objects and minimising unnecessary alerts. It provides targeted warnings only when a genuine risk exists, helping drivers stay focused and respond effectively.
The initiative addresses a critical safety gap by improving protection in real-world operating conditions, particularly at low speeds and during manoeuvres where vulnerable road users are most at risk.
Initiative date
Who was/is your target audience?
Policy makers
Public authorities
Fleet operators
Emergency services
Public transport
Van drivers
Lorry/truck drivers
Cyclists
Pedestrians
Topic
Improve vehicles and infrastructure
Provide alternative solutions
Organisation details
Brigade Electronics Group Plc.
Enterprise
United Kingdom
Dartford
Contact name
Akvile Willmore
Telephone number
+44 (0) 1322 420387
akvile.willmore@brigade-electronics.com
Website link
Project activities
If you work together with external partners, list the most important partners and briefly describe their role.
Radar Predict Plus was developed through collaboration with a network of international technology partners, radar specialists and AI development experts.
These partners supported the development of advanced radar sensing, AI-powered image recognition and software integration. Their expertise helped refine detection accuracy, improve environmental performance and ensure the system could reliably identify vulnerable road users while reducing false alarms.
Brigade's engineering and product development teams coordinated the project, combining partner technologies into a single integrated solution designed specifically for commercial vehicle safety applications. Fleet operators and industry stakeholders also provided valuable operational insight during development and testing, helping ensure the system addresses real-world safety challenges.
These partners supported the development of advanced radar sensing, AI-powered image recognition and software integration. Their expertise helped refine detection accuracy, improve environmental performance and ensure the system could reliably identify vulnerable road users while reducing false alarms.
Brigade's engineering and product development teams coordinated the project, combining partner technologies into a single integrated solution designed specifically for commercial vehicle safety applications. Fleet operators and industry stakeholders also provided valuable operational insight during development and testing, helping ensure the system addresses real-world safety challenges.
Please describe the project activities you carried/are carrying out and the time period over which these were implemented.
The project involved the research, development, testing and implementation of Radar Predict Plus, a next-generation side-detection system for commercial vehicles.
Building on the success of Brigade's Radar Predict technology, development focused on integrating radar and AI camera technology into a single intelligent system. Software was created to fuse data from both technologies, enabling accurate identification of vulnerable road users and delivering clear, prioritised alerts through a single driver interface.
Extensive testing was undertaken to validate performance across a range of real-world operating conditions. The system was refined to distinguish between pedestrians, cyclists and static objects, while ensuring reliable operation in all weather conditions. Development also focused on reducing false alarms by considering vehicle speed, proximity and movement patterns before generating alerts.
The project was delivered through collaboration between Brigade's international teams and specialist technology partners. Following successful validation, the system was prepared for fleet deployment with a design that enables straightforward installation and integration into existing vehicle safety systems.
The initiative has been developed over the last product development cycle and continues to evolve as part of Brigade's commitment to advancing commercial vehicle safety.
Building on the success of Brigade's Radar Predict technology, development focused on integrating radar and AI camera technology into a single intelligent system. Software was created to fuse data from both technologies, enabling accurate identification of vulnerable road users and delivering clear, prioritised alerts through a single driver interface.
Extensive testing was undertaken to validate performance across a range of real-world operating conditions. The system was refined to distinguish between pedestrians, cyclists and static objects, while ensuring reliable operation in all weather conditions. Development also focused on reducing false alarms by considering vehicle speed, proximity and movement patterns before generating alerts.
The project was delivered through collaboration between Brigade's international teams and specialist technology partners. Following successful validation, the system was prepared for fleet deployment with a design that enables straightforward installation and integration into existing vehicle safety systems.
The initiative has been developed over the last product development cycle and continues to evolve as part of Brigade's commitment to advancing commercial vehicle safety.
In terms of implementation, what worked well and what challenges did you need to overcome?
One of the greatest successes of the project was the effective integration of radar and AI camera technology into a single intelligent solution. The combination delivers significantly improved detection accuracy while reducing false alarms, providing drivers with clear and relevant information when it matters most.
The collaborative development approach also worked well. Brigade's engineering teams worked closely with global partners, radar specialists and AI experts to ensure the system addressed real-world operational challenges rather than simply meeting legislative requirements.
A key challenge was balancing sensitivity with usability. Many detection systems generate excessive warnings, which can lead to alarm fatigue and reduced driver engagement. Significant effort was invested in developing software algorithms capable of assessing risk based on vehicle movement, vulnerable road user proximity and environmental conditions, ensuring alerts are generated only when there is a genuine danger.
Another challenge was creating a solution that could be easily installed across a wide variety of vehicle types. This was addressed through practical design decisions and streamlined integration, resulting in installation times only marginally longer than standard radar systems.
The result is a solution that is accurate, practical and readily deployable across commercial fleets.
The collaborative development approach also worked well. Brigade's engineering teams worked closely with global partners, radar specialists and AI experts to ensure the system addressed real-world operational challenges rather than simply meeting legislative requirements.
A key challenge was balancing sensitivity with usability. Many detection systems generate excessive warnings, which can lead to alarm fatigue and reduced driver engagement. Significant effort was invested in developing software algorithms capable of assessing risk based on vehicle movement, vulnerable road user proximity and environmental conditions, ensuring alerts are generated only when there is a genuine danger.
Another challenge was creating a solution that could be easily installed across a wide variety of vehicle types. This was addressed through practical design decisions and streamlined integration, resulting in installation times only marginally longer than standard radar systems.
The result is a solution that is accurate, practical and readily deployable across commercial fleets.
Evaluation
Please summarise how you have evaluated the initiative’s impact (e.g. social media reach, survey, feedback forms, statistics).
The initiative has been evaluated through extensive product testing, operational assessment and comparison against existing side-detection technologies and regulatory requirements.
Testing focused on the system's ability to accurately identify vulnerable road users, including pedestrians moving at very low speeds, while reducing false alarms. Performance was assessed across different operating conditions and vehicle manoeuvres, including move-off scenarios and turning movements where vulnerable road users are at greatest risk.
Evaluation demonstrated that Radar Predict Plus provides significantly improved situational awareness compared with conventional systems. The combination of radar and AI camera technology enables more precise detection and intelligent alerting, helping drivers focus on genuine hazards.
The system has also been assessed against current safety standards and regulations. Results indicate that it exceeds the requirements of DVS Progressive Safe System and UNECE Regulation 151 by addressing additional risk scenarios not fully covered by current legislation.
Ease of installation, integration and fleet deployment were also considered as part of the evaluation process, confirming the solution is practical for widespread adoption.
Testing focused on the system's ability to accurately identify vulnerable road users, including pedestrians moving at very low speeds, while reducing false alarms. Performance was assessed across different operating conditions and vehicle manoeuvres, including move-off scenarios and turning movements where vulnerable road users are at greatest risk.
Evaluation demonstrated that Radar Predict Plus provides significantly improved situational awareness compared with conventional systems. The combination of radar and AI camera technology enables more precise detection and intelligent alerting, helping drivers focus on genuine hazards.
The system has also been assessed against current safety standards and regulations. Results indicate that it exceeds the requirements of DVS Progressive Safe System and UNECE Regulation 151 by addressing additional risk scenarios not fully covered by current legislation.
Ease of installation, integration and fleet deployment were also considered as part of the evaluation process, confirming the solution is practical for widespread adoption.
What has been the effect of the activities?
Radar Predict Plus has improved the ability of commercial vehicle operators to identify and respond to risks involving vulnerable road users.
The system provides enhanced protection for pedestrians and cyclists, particularly in low-speed urban environments where many incidents occur. By detecting vulnerable road users that conventional systems may overlook, it supports safer vehicle operation during move-off and turning manoeuvres.
An important outcome has been the reduction of false alarms. Drivers receive alerts only when a genuine risk is present, helping maintain trust in the system and improving response to warnings. This contributes to better driver engagement and increased situational awareness.
For fleet operators, the technology offers a practical route to improving safety performance while supporting compliance with current and future regulations. Its straightforward installation and integration minimise operational disruption and support wider adoption.
More broadly, the initiative contributes to Vision Zero objectives by helping create safer interactions between commercial vehicles and vulnerable road users. It demonstrates how intelligent technology can move beyond compliance to deliver meaningful safety improvements for drivers, fleet operators and the wider public.
The system provides enhanced protection for pedestrians and cyclists, particularly in low-speed urban environments where many incidents occur. By detecting vulnerable road users that conventional systems may overlook, it supports safer vehicle operation during move-off and turning manoeuvres.
An important outcome has been the reduction of false alarms. Drivers receive alerts only when a genuine risk is present, helping maintain trust in the system and improving response to warnings. This contributes to better driver engagement and increased situational awareness.
For fleet operators, the technology offers a practical route to improving safety performance while supporting compliance with current and future regulations. Its straightforward installation and integration minimise operational disruption and support wider adoption.
More broadly, the initiative contributes to Vision Zero objectives by helping create safer interactions between commercial vehicles and vulnerable road users. It demonstrates how intelligent technology can move beyond compliance to deliver meaningful safety improvements for drivers, fleet operators and the wider public.
Please briefly explain why your initiative is a good example of improving road safety.
Radar Predict Plus is a strong example of road safety innovation because it addresses a recognised safety gap that existing regulations and technologies do not fully cover.
By combining radar and AI camera technology, it delivers more accurate vulnerable road user detection while reducing false alarms. This helps drivers focus on genuine risks and make safer decisions at critical moments.
The system goes beyond compliance by improving protection for pedestrians, cyclists and other vulnerable road users during move-off and turning manoeuvres. It is practical, scalable and suitable for deployment across a wide range of commercial vehicles, making it capable of delivering measurable safety improvements at scale.
Most importantly, it supports Brigade's vision of safer roads for everyone by turning advanced technology into meaningful, real-world protection.
By combining radar and AI camera technology, it delivers more accurate vulnerable road user detection while reducing false alarms. This helps drivers focus on genuine risks and make safer decisions at critical moments.
The system goes beyond compliance by improving protection for pedestrians, cyclists and other vulnerable road users during move-off and turning manoeuvres. It is practical, scalable and suitable for deployment across a wide range of commercial vehicles, making it capable of delivering measurable safety improvements at scale.
Most importantly, it supports Brigade's vision of safer roads for everyone by turning advanced technology into meaningful, real-world protection.
How have you shared information about your project and its results?
Information about Radar Predict Plus has been shared through internal channels, industry events, customer demonstrations, trade media coverage and engagement with fleet operators, OEMs and regulatory stakeholders.
Brigade actively works with customers, industry bodies and policymakers to promote best practice in commercial vehicle safety. The innovation has also been featured in award submissions and technical communications that demonstrate its safety benefits and role in advancing vulnerable road user protection.
Through these activities, Brigade has helped raise awareness of the importance of intelligent detection technologies and their contribution to safer roads.
Brigade actively works with customers, industry bodies and policymakers to promote best practice in commercial vehicle safety. The innovation has also been featured in award submissions and technical communications that demonstrate its safety benefits and role in advancing vulnerable road user protection.
Through these activities, Brigade has helped raise awareness of the importance of intelligent detection technologies and their contribution to safer roads.
