Motive debuts AI Dashcam Plus as it files for IPO

Motive has launched a new commercial vehicle dash cam it says delivers three times more AI processing power than competing systems, as the company also moves toward becoming a publicly traded business.

(Photo: Motive)

The San Francisco-based AI platform for physical operations on Jan. 8 introduced AI Dashcam Plus, an all-in-one device designed to improve driver safety through faster edge-AI risk detection, stereo vision and hands-free two-way calling.

The system is designed for companies that operates fleets of commercial vehicles, including rental companies and contractors.

Powered by the Qualcomm Dragonwing QCS6490 processor, the device can run more than 30 AI models simultaneously, Motive said, enabling broader detection and fewer false alerts. The system also adds dual forward-facing stereo vision to improve depth perception, helping alerts such as Forward Collision Warning, Lane Swerving and Close Following.

“Collision rates and related costs remain unacceptably high around the world,” said Shoaib Makani, co-founder and CEO of Motive. “Organizations need AI-powered driver safety solutions that can perceive and respond in real-time. We’ve added three times more compute, created the first dash cam with stereo vision, and added hands-free communication, all in one system, so organizations can detect more risks and act faster.”

Motive said the new dash cam includes automated license plate recognition through a 1440p zoom lens and narrow field of view, along with advanced sensor fusion integrating video, audio, telematics, GPS and motion sensors to detect incidents such as break-ins from sounds like glass shattering or to confirm low-severity collisions.

Built-in voice tools include live two-way calling between drivers and managers via voice-activated controls, plus an AI voice assistant using the “Hey Motive” command to save footage and access information such as remaining drive time and nearby fuel stops.

Erick Hong, head of smart home and life at Qualcomm Technologies, said the system demonstrates how on-device AI can improve fleet safety by enabling multiple AI models to run at the edge with lower latency.

In addition to performance upgrades, Motive said AI Dashcam Plus combines the company’s existing AI Dashcam and Vehicle Gateway into a single device, reducing installation time by nearly half. The system is built on an Android-based architecture and features dual-SIM, multi-carrier LTE connectivity to support video uploads and vehicle tracking.

Motive said its AI Dashcam has been estimated to have helped prevent more than 170,000 accidents and saved 1,500 lives since 2023.

Public offering filing

Separately, Motive Technologies, Inc. said it has filed a registration statement on Form S-1 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission relating to a proposed initial public offering of its Class A common stock.

The company has applied to list its Class A common stock on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “MTVE.”

The number of shares to be offered and the price range for the proposed offering have not yet been determined. Motive said the proposed offering is subject to market conditions and there is no assurance regarding timing, size, pricing or completion.

J.P. Morgan, Citigroup, Barclays and Jefferies are acting as lead book-running managers. RBC Capital Markets, Citizens Capital Markets, KeyBanc Capital Markets, Societe Generale and Wolfe | Nomura Alliance are acting as joint book-running managers, with William Blair, Canaccord Genuity, Needham & Company, Piper Sandler, Raymond James and Academy Securities serving as co-managers.

A registration statement on Form S-1 has been filed with the SEC but has not yet been declared effective. Motive said the securities may not be sold, nor may offers to buy be accepted, prior to the time the registration statement becomes effective.