Helsinki employs AI to detect e-scooter accidents before they occur.

      Helsinki has initiated a pilot project to evaluate e-scooters equipped with AI-driven sensors that track rider behavior and detect safety hazards in real-time. Funded by the European Union, the trial features 40 shared e-scooters from Tier-Dott, one of the largest operators in Europe. Each e-scooter is equipped with sensors created by the UK-based company See.Sense, which can identify sudden braking, swerving, and vibrations that may indicate potential road dangers. This data is processed and represented through a mobility data platform designed by the French startup Vianova.

      The pilot is organized by Forum Virium Helsinki, the city's innovation agency, as part of the EU-supported ELABORATOR project. The aim is to enable cities to adopt a more proactive stance on e-scooter safety. “By leveraging advanced technology, we can provide the city with new insights into accidents and near misses, as well as locations where risky situations are prevalent,” stated Noora Reittu, senior project manager for ELABORATOR.

      Micromobility has come under increasing scrutiny in Europe due to a rise in injuries and fatalities related to e-scooters. In 2023, German police recorded 9,425 e-scooter accidents, including 22 fatalities—double the number from the previous year. In response, various cities have implemented new restrictions. For instance, Paris voted to ban rental e-scooters in 2023, while places like Oslo and Madrid have limited fleet sizes, established no-parking areas, or tightened speed regulations.

      Operators are facing pressure to demonstrate their ability to integrate safely into urban transportation systems. Achieving profitability remains a challenge as increasing hardware costs, competition, and regulatory obstacles are impacting profit margins. Tier-Dott, formed by the merger of Tier and Dott in 2024, has expressed its commitment to scaling sustainably through data-driven collaborations with cities.

      By incorporating sensors into the vehicles, the Helsinki pilot shifts the emphasis from solely rider behavior to the quality of infrastructure—an approach that partners believe could help tackle the fundamental causes of numerous accidents. “Collaborating with the City of Helsinki enables us to move beyond reactive safety measures and to proactively identify risks using real-time data,” said Elina Bürkland, Dott’s head of public policy for the Nordics.

      Outcomes from the pilot will contribute to broader EU research focusing on safe and inclusive transport and may influence future regulations. For the time being, Helsinki becomes the latest area to test the evolving concept of micromobility in Europe.