Spoke Safety

Spoke Safety, founded in 2020 by Jarrett Wendt, Bryce Chamberlain, and Reid Sigety, is a software company dedicated to enhancing the safety of vulnerable road users (VRUs) such as cyclists and scooter riders. The company's genesis lies in CEO Jarrett Wendt's personal experience with a serious cycling accident, which highlighted the critical need for better connectivity between vehicles and VRUs. Wendt's background includes leadership roles at various technology and mobility companies, including Panasonic and Ford.

Spoke Safety has developed a cellular vehicle-to-everything (C-V2X) software platform that provides direct communication between road users and vehicles, aiming to prevent collisions. This system delivers highly accurate and reliable notifications without the need for a cellular network, connecting users directly through a dedicated hardware and software ecosystem. The platform alerts drivers when cyclists or other VRUs are nearby, providing a digital awareness that physical sensors like cameras or radar might miss. This is particularly crucial in situations with obstructed views or adverse weather conditions. The company partners with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in the automotive and bicycle industries, as well as Tier 1 suppliers, to integrate its technology directly into new vehicles and mobility devices.

The company's business model involves licensing its software to these partners. By working with Qualcomm and other vehicle and bicycle manufacturers, Spoke Safety aims to create a widespread, interoperable safety network. The company has raised significant funding, including a $6.7 million seed round, to advance its technology and establish a global standard for VRU protection.

Keywords: C-V2X, vulnerable road user safety, automotive software, cyclist protection, connected vehicle technology, road safety, collision avoidance, mobility safety, smart transportation, V2X communication