Photo © Startec Dynamics
As the second-largest automotive market in North America, Canada recorded over 1.7 million motor vehicle sales in 2021. According to Statista, the motorcycle market is anticipated to experience a steady annual growth rate (CAGR 2025-2029) of 2.28 per cent, resulting in a projected market volume of US $980.40 million by 2029. Even after such wide usage, motorcycles lack safety features for riders.
Statistics Canada reported an average of 180 motorcycle fatalities each year from 2016-2020. There were 258 fatalities recorded and more than 118,000 injuries in 2022, reflecting an increase of 9.5 per cent over 2021, according to Transport Canada.
To address these challenges, Startec Dynamics is working within the light motor vehicle industry by integrating its Athena Smart System. This system integrates a range of features designed to enhance safety, security, and connectivity for motorcycle riders.
Startec Dynamics’ director Ivan Ting. Photo © Startec Dynamics
“I was on a business trip, and it just occurred to me that if I had an accident, then my family would be the last one to know. That thought scared me, and that’s where the idea was generated,” said Wai Cheung (Ivan) Ting, the director of Startec Dynamics.
Ting has been in the motorcycle industry for over 20 years, starting with spare parts trading and later moving into R&D. Over the years, he observed that while motorcycles have seen improvements in power and design, there has been no true revolution in the industry.
“This lack of innovation made the industry feel stagnant to me,” he said. “My focus is on enhancing traditional engine motorcycles with smart technology, rather than shifting to electric and introducing meaningful advancements.”
Athena Smart System
The Athena Smart System combines several features like an SOS emergency response system, keyless ignition, geo-tracking anti-theft, and a smart dashboard. Digital key technology: Transforms a smartphone into a digital key for the motorcycle. Active emergency alert system: Automatically alerts emergency contacts with the rider’s location if the bike stops suddenly and falls over. The system prompts the rider to confirm if they’re okay, and if there is no response, it sends an emergency message to pre-set contacts. Traffic detection: Utilizes traffic detection sensors and HD cameras to detect and prevent potential accidents with blind spot monitoring. Artificial intelligence and over-the-air upgrades: Offers proactive maintenance notifications through over-the-air updates. The AI learns from driver data to provide suggestions.
Athena Smart System. Photo © Startec Dynamics
Ting said the company’s R&D team is planning to add side-alarmed sensors into their systems.
“Most motorcycle accidents occur at night, often when riders fail to notice vehicles approaching from behind while making turns or changing lanes. To address this, we will install side sensors on motorcycles. These sensors will detect approaching vehicles and provide alerts to warn riders, reducing the risk of collisions,” he said.
In version two of the Athena device, AI and deep learning capabilities will be integrated directly into the system for over-the-air upgrades. Ting explained that by analyzing motorcycle driving patterns and leveraging data from other riders, the sensors will become smarter, enabling faster responses and better suggestions.
“If we successfully sell around half a million units, future upgrades can be delivered remotely, just like smartphone updates—no need for physical shop visits or manual assistance. With this powerful function, traditional motorcycles will continuously improve, becoming smarter the more they are used,” he said.
Manufacturing and testing
While the company’s R&D is in Canada, it selected Cambodia as the starting point for its operations. A team of engineers from Cambodia, Hong Kong, France, and Canada conducted market research and worked with Cambodian designers, engineers, and technicians to develop the Calypso ORI.
Photo © Startec Dynamics
Recently, Cambodia-based Calypso motor tested Athena system and confirmed to add it in one of their new models, making it “the first smart motorcycle/scooter in the world.”
Each machine is hand-assembled by a team of Cambodian technicians using parts sourced from Japan, Thailand, and Taiwan. As each ORI is completed, it undergoes a battery of tests on a custom-built rolling road tester, including braking checks, a high-speed run, wheel alignment, and headlight calibration.
One of the biggest challenges in developing the Athena Smart System was integrating it with the traditional design of motorcycles, which often lack digital systems and rely on analog wiring and power control. Startec’s R&D team had to find ways to combine and overcome these issues, bringing motorcycles closer to modern digital systems.
Startec Dynamics has previously received $600,000 in initial investment and is looking for an additional $4-5 million to accelerate the development of version two and version three of the Athena Smart System.
While Cambodia is the initial focus, Startec Dynamics says it aims to provide smart motorcycle features globally.
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