Yorkshire AI Firm Secures Funding for Transit Safety

York AI firm secures £100K to develop violence detection tech for London, Cardiff buses

AI Safety Tech Gets £100K to Protect Transit Riders

A York-based AI consultancy that's developing technology to detect violent behavior against women on public transport has secured £100,000 in funding. Zest Consult, founded in 2020 by software engineer Geoff Hoyle, received backing from the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II through NPIF II - BEF Smaller Loans, managed by Business Enterprise Fund. The company's working with Transport for London and Cardiff City Council on projects that use artificial intelligence to identify threatening behavior on buses and other transit systems.

From Pandemic Startup to AI Safety Innovator

Zest Consult was established during the pandemic as a consultancy supporting major organizations like Transport for London and National Highways. The company's evolved from traditional consulting into a product-led AI innovation business focused on transforming safety and security across public services. Officials said the technology uses artificial intelligence to detect antisocial and violent behavior, particularly to protect vulnerable people on public transport. Violent or threatening behavior against women and girls remains a widespread issue across the UK, transit officials said, making detection technology increasingly important for rider safety.

AI Monitors Buses for Threatening Behavior

One current project aims to deploy AI technology on buses to identify violent or threatening behavior against women and girls in real time. The company's working with Transport for London and Cardiff City Council on safety initiatives that leverage the detection technology. Zest Consult also applies its AI technology in the defense sector, working with organizations including DASA, Airbus, and Oracle. Officials didn't specify how many transit systems are currently testing the technology or when wider deployment might begin.

Expansion Plans Target Yorkshire Growth

Geoff Hoyle, founder of Zest Consult, expressed ambitions to scale the business in York and grow throughout Yorkshire. The £100,000 funding will help accelerate the company's development of AI solutions for public safety, officials said. A specific timeline for expanding the technology to additional transit systems wasn't provided, though the company said it's focused on transforming safety across public services.

What Riders Need to Know

Transit riders on systems testing the AI safety technology may see enhanced monitoring on buses and at stations, though officials said the technology's designed to detect threatening behavior without compromising passenger privacy. The company said it's working to deploy solutions that protect vulnerable riders while maintaining security standards. Moovit provides real-time updates and safety information for Transport for London and other transit systems where the technology's being tested.