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Realsafe Technologies to bring motorcycle safety app to Southeast Asia

Gateshead-based Realsafe Technologies, a developer of safety technology, is rolling outs its motorcycle crash detection app, REALRIDER, in Southeast Asia.

Partnering with Malaysian telematics company VTOS, Realsafe will begin the rollout in Malaysia in the first quarter of next year.

The REALRIDER app detects if a rider has had a crash and notifies the emergency services who can send an ambulance to the rider’s last known location.

The service was spotted by VTOS Co-Founder and CTO, Abang Suhaili Abang Hi Adris, on a trip to the UK late last year.

He said: “I read about REALRIDER in motorcycle press while I was in London. The synergy between our two companies was obvious, especially because of our linkages with Malaysia’s Emergency Response System (MERS999) operated by Telekom Malaysia.

“We saw an opportunity to leverage our relationships to help REALRIDER get a foothold in a territory where motorcycling is a key mode of transport”.

Rider numbers in Malaysia alone are estimated to be more than 11 million, with a further estimated 135 million riders across the identified Southeast Asian territory.

A phased approach over the next 24-36 months will see the service extend to Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam where a strong growth in the economy has triggered an explosion in mid-range and leisure motorcycle ownership.

VTOS Co-Founder and CEO, Phooi Hong Wong, said: Malaysia continues to be ranked among the countries with the highest road fatalities in the world – and sadly among motorcyclists.

“A major factor is the delay in getting proper emergency medical care to the riders. And a contributing factor is establishing with reliability that an accident did occur and exactly where it occurred.

“The REALRIDER app offers reliability and UK government certification meaning the timing is right for us to partner with Realsafe Technologies to offer a holistic safety solution for riders backed by the insurers and government agencies in Malaysia”.

Zoe Farrington, CEO of Realsafe Technologies, added: “Working with VTOS is an exciting new chapter for the company that sees us realise aspirations for growth in new territories.

“We have been defining and refining plans with VTOS for several months and are confident that with their proven track record and contacts in the industry our partnership will be mutually beneficial while providing much needed protection for vulnerable riders.”

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