Source: website & press release Damon Motorcycles | Imagine the motorcycle of the future. One that adapts to you, to the traffic, and to any road you’re on. Imagine having a ‘sixth sense’ of everything around you. Imagine being connected to your surroundings in an entirely new way, and to all other vehicles you share the roads with. Imagine a whole new level of aliveness, free from worry, free from discomfort, free to enjoy each and every moment in its entirety.
Damon did.
The Halo bike is intended as a technology demonstration platform built upon three pillars:
- Sensor fusion and AI to increase road safety
- Connectivity + data science
- Electrification
Damon Motorcycles: “Our Halo bike is intended to be a technology demonstration platform. Electric is the best platform for demonstrating the future of motorcycling and the Halo bike, as a proof of concept bike, allows us to bring many more innovations to market that we are working on. For example, adjustable ergonomics.”
Damon Motorcycles announced the completion of a $2.5 million seed financing round including Round 13 Capital and investment firms Techstars, Extreme Venture Partners and Pallasite Ventures. With these funds, Damon can address the critical safety needs for motorcycle fleet customers and manufacturers alike.
Motorcycles are recognized as one of the best tools for proactive policing, ambulatory, ride-hailing and courier delivery services with increasing congestion gridlocking major cities worldwide. However, motorcycles are also a costly tool with as much as 10% of motorcycle fleet riders taking time from work each year due to related injuries. Damon is addressing a market need to make motorcycling safer by leveraging low-cost connectivity networks, the commoditization of sensors and high-power mobile computing to position itself as an early leader with global enterprises and original equipment manufacturers.
The goal is a self-learning technology platform that will usher in a world with no fatal accidents on Damonized vehicles by 2030.
Jay Giraud, Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Damon Motorcycles said, “We are focused on the forgotten category of 1.5 billion vulnerable road users, and to fulfill our vision, we put data-driven thinking at the epicentre of the company. We are building a radical riding experience where the joy and simplicity of riding is augmented by technology, and our goal is to usher in a world with no fatal accidents on Damonized vehicles by 2030.”
Unlike the traditional driver-assistance systems (ADAS) found on cars, Damon’s Advanced Warning System for Motorcycles (AWSM™) understands the ‘cageless’ conditions and unique vehicle dynamics of motorcycles that add to a rider’s vulnerability. Damon’s forward, side and rear detection algorithms inter-communicate to form a complete 360º ‘birds’ eye’ view of what’s happening around the motorcycle at all times.
Bruce Croxon, Managing Partner at Round 13 Capital, stated, “We typically do not do seed deals, but occasionally we come across a founder and a plan that we think can be a potential game changer – and we felt strongly that Damon fit this definition. We were impressed with the company founder, the idea itself and the problem it’s solving, and we’re thrilled to be onboard.”
The first AI-enhanced warning system for motorcycles
Damon’s algorithms are tested over thousands of virtual and real-world miles before a motorcycle can consistently detect and anticipate accidents on all sides of the rider in all environmental and traffic conditions. With cellular connectivity, possible collision scenarios are recorded. The data is then sent automatically to a dedicated cloud platform where a sophisticated AI engine continually learns and creates new algorithms. Eventually, updates are sent back to the bike’s onboard processor with the rider alerted to the availability of an update. Such updates result in a faster, more sophisticated system, alerting the rider to potential hazards in a seamless, self-learning loop.
Damon Motorcycles: “We are currently available for trials as an aftermarket system for fleets and for OEM factory integration. We intend to test interest for building a motorcycle in the market and work with OEMs to fulfill on the demand that is there.”
Motorcycle manufacturers are currently evaluating Damon’s technology for factory integration. With a significant patent portfolio and a team of world-class engineers and motorcyclists, Damon is well positioned to be a leading player in the $90 billion dollar motorcycle industry.
To fulfill on their vision, Damon puts data-driven thinking at the epicentre of the company, employing radical innovations in sensor fusion, robotics and Al. Damon expands the reach of your senses in 360° to protect you from accidents, providing that one extra second you need to react. These same sensors collect rider, traffic and vehicle data and sends it to their cloud for industry-wide data consumption. The system learns from every rider, every intersection and every situation. The goal is a self-learning technology platform that will usher in a world with no fatal accidents on Damonized vehicles by 2030.
About Damon Motorcycles
Proudly built in Vancouver, BC and founded by serial entrepreneurs, Damon Motorcycles is a leading two-wheel technology company that employs radical innovations in sensor fusion, robotics and AI to expand the reach of a rider’s senses in 360º and deliver enhanced situational awareness. Damon’s mission is to cause a paradigm shift for safer, smarter motorcycling. For more information, please visit
About Round 13 Capital
Round 13 Capital is a Toronto-based growth-stage focused firm investing in Canadian information technology businesses. Four dedicated investment professionals located in Toronto with extensive backgrounds in building businesses, technology and private equity investing, M&A, and sales and marketing. Partnership focused and seeking passionate and committed operators we can work with to build value for all stakeholders.
Pictures: Damon Motorcycles
