At the recently held Passenger Vehicle Expo 2.0 in Chennai, Sapience Automata emerged as a standout innovator with its sharp focus on tackling road accidents through intelligent driver monitoring. Founded in 2021 by Dr. Satyajit Neogi, a PhD from NTU Singapore and a former autonomous bus developer, the company is on a mission to reduce road accidents in India – 90% of which are attributed to human error.
“Our vision has always been to prevent accidents, not just record them,” says Satyajit. “That’s why we pivoted from a conventional ADAS device to a highly accurate driver monitoring solution.”
The company’s flagship product, Co-Pilot AI, is a smart AI-powered in-cabin device that tracks driver alertness and fatigue levels in real-time. After initial trials in 2023, the solution has already been deployed in over 250 vehicles, covering more than 1.2 crore kilometres – without a single reported accident.
“What sets Co-Pilot AI apart is its accuracy and simplicity,” Satyajit explains. “It doesn’t bombard the driver with unnecessary alerts like typical ADAS systems. It only alarms when it truly matters – and doesn’t stop until the driver is alert again.”
The startup has already begun collaborations with notable partners like RedBus, and is exploring applications across intercity buses, outstation cabs, school buses, and logistics trucks.
“Our goal is to offer a system that not only keeps passengers safe but also assures fleet owners of tangible ROI by reducing accident-related losses,” adds Satyajit.
Sapience Automata is also planning a Do-It-Yourself (DIY) version of the product to expand distribution at scale. By FY 2025, the company is targeting up to 10,000 unit deployments and has plans for a dual-camera variant and a super modular multi-channel AI Camera system for OEM integration.
“The potential is huge, both in India and globally. We’re not just selling a device – we’re building a full-stack safety solution born out of real on-road experience,” Satyajit concludes.
As road safety continues to be a critical concern, Sapience Automata’s customer-first, India-specific approach marks a bold step forward in leveraging AI to save lives and reshape the mobility safety landscape.
