The 2025 Melbourne Awards recently celebrated innovation and excellence, with Acusensus Australia winning the prestigious category of ‘Knowledge and Innovation’. The company has developed groundbreaking technology aimed at improving road safety by reducing mobile phone use while driving. Their AI-powered cameras are already making a significant impact across Victoria and beyond.
Founded in 2018 by engineer Alexander Jannink, Acusensus emerged from a personal tragedy after Jannink lost a close friend to a distracted driver. Determined to address the limitations of traditional policing, he created the world’s first automated system capable of detecting mobile phone use behind the wheel. Today, Acusensus is publicly listed on the ASX (ticker: ACE) and employs over 100 staff, expanding its operations to Australia, New Zealand, the United States, the United Kingdom, and India.
Transforming Road Safety with Advanced Technology
Acusensus focuses on tackling the “fatal five” causes of road accidents: speed, distraction, seatbelts, impairment, and fatigue. Their AI systems function continuously, regardless of weather conditions, scanning millions of vehicles each month and providing actionable evidence for law enforcement. In New South Wales (NSW), where the technology debuted in December 2019, illegal mobile phone use has decreased by a staggering 600%, contributing to the state’s achievement of the lowest road fatalities per capita in Australia.
“This year’s finalists represent the spirit of Melbourne – inclusive, creative, innovative, and deeply community-minded,” said Mark Scott, head of the Tourism and Events portfolio for the City of Melbourne.
Acusensus’s flagship product, the Heads-Up platform, employs dual high-resolution cameras to monitor vehicle activity. One camera captures license plates while the other detects mobile phone use through the windshield from distances up to 30 meters. An infrared flash ensures clear images at all times without distracting drivers, and polarizing filters reduce glare from tinted glass.
The system processes 4K video at 30 frames per second using an on-device AI model, achieving over 95% accuracy in identifying mobile phone use. Independent laboratories have validated this performance. Impressively, 99% of the detections are made in the field, minimizing the need for human review and significantly reducing operational costs.
Expanding Capabilities and Global Impact
Once a violation is detected, the system transmits evidence via 5G technology using encrypted data packages, which are then linked to vehicle owners for fine issuance. A single trailer in NSW can process up to 50,000 vehicles daily, with the revenue generated from fines funding additional installations. While fines alone may not deter all offenders, the potential for repeated violations and license suspensions encourages safer driving behavior.
In addition to mobile phone detection, Acusensus has introduced the Fuse platform, which incorporates seatbelt detection and cross-references license plates against databases for stolen or uninsured vehicles. This multifaceted approach allows enforcement of multiple offenses simultaneously, further enhancing road safety.
Another innovative product, Harmony, provides average-speed calculations using synchronized GPS data between entry and exit cameras. This system is particularly effective for monitoring heavy vehicle corridors, identifying violations that could lead to serious accidents. The trailers operate off-grid, powered by solar energy, and are equipped with advanced AI capabilities for real-time data processing.
Since its inception, Acusensus’s fleet in NSW has issued over 500,000 infringements, but the true success lies in changing driver behavior. Research from the Monash University Accident Research Centre indicates a sustained 68% reduction in mobile phone use at monitored sites. Road fatalities in NSW declined by 22% from 2019 to 2022, compared to a 9% reduction in Victoria, which lacks similar widespread detection measures.
Acusensus is also expanding its technology globally. In New Zealand, the system monitors both mobile phone use and seatbelt compliance. In the United Kingdom, a pilot program is underway with the Department for Transport, while the United States has adopted similar systems in states like Maryland. In India, the Mumbai-Pune Expressway utilizes the Fuse platform to combat truck overloading.
Looking ahead, Acusensus is piloting a new product called Impairify, which aims to detect signs of driver impairment through interior camera feeds, analyzing pupil dilation and head movement. The company is also exploring applications for worker safety in industrial settings, where monitoring mobile phone use near heavy machinery can prevent accidents.
Winning the Melbourne Award is a significant milestone for Acusensus, highlighting the potential of local engineering solutions to address global challenges. The company’s innovative approach to enhancing road safety through technology is not only commendable but essential for saving lives on the road.
For more information, visit Acusensus.
