Story
The idea behind Detecte was born at a moment when everything could have changed. Our founder, Elian Van den Broeck, was hit by a driver whose eyes were fixed on a smartphone instead of the road. Fortunately, Elian sustained only minor injuries, but the incident left a lasting impression.
A few years ago, I was hit by a driver who was using his phone while driving. I came out of it unharmed, but the incident left a deep mark on me. From that moment on, I actively started looking for solutions. Phone use is seen as a major problem, but I saw no truly preventive approaches. Together with my team, I founded Detecte to help reduce the number of injuries.”
Elian Van den Broeck
This experience marked the beginning of a journey: how can we reduce distraction — one of the leading causes of accidents — in a meaningful, scalable, and privacy-friendly way? Elian brought together a team with a shared mission: to radically improve road safety.
Research & insights
We analysed accident reports, reviewed studies, and spoke with drivers, fleet managers, and insurers. The pattern was clear: distraction and irresponsible driving behaviour pose a structural risk, yet there were few solutions that tackled the issue preventively — without expensive hardware or intrusive data collection.
Innovation without extra cameras
Instead of installing additional devices in the vehicle, we chose to use something every driver already has: the smartphone. We developed a smart, durable cradle and powerful AI software capable of detecting distraction, drowsiness, and risky driving behaviour through the front-facing camera — all processed locally on the device.
Real-time intervention:
Alerts at the exact moment they’re needed, to prevent a dangerous situation from escalating.
Behavioural change:
Through personalised feedback and a rewards shop, we encourage safe driving and ensure lasting improvements.
Transparency:
Drivers and fleet managers share the same dashboard, enabling fair and consistent policy.
Privacy first:
No images are stored or transmitted; all analysis is performed locally on device so no cloud.
Detecte is more than just a product; it’s the promise that a traumatic experience can grow into a movement that saves lives. Join us and help make a difference.
