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  • Success story article
  • 30 October 2024

Zebra crossings could become a 'walk in the park'

Zebra crossings Hungary

Pedestrians are no match for moving vehicles. They are the victims in about 20 % of global road traffic deaths and, unfortunately, zebra crossings often provide a false sense of security. 

Hungary has more pedestrian fatalities than the EU on average but all that is changing – in Hungary and, increasingly, globally – thanks to Visible Crossing Ltd and its collaboration with the Enterprise Europe Network. 

Visible Crossing Ltd is the Hungarian SME behind SafeXOne, an intelligent Wi-Fi- and IoT-based system designed to prevent pedestrian traffic accidents and deaths at zebra crossings. The company’s co-founder and CEO, László Nagy, is the creator and product developer who has been leading the company since its inception. Edit Varga joined the company in 2022. A 'jack of all trades' in this small and growing company, she supports Nagy, liaises with customers and actively participates in SafeXOne's licensing procedures. 

"The seed was sown in 2015 when our CEO passed a poorly lit zebra crosswalk in his car one grey, dawn morning, contemplating the potential consequences – only to find an ambulance and seriously injured pedestrian when returning some 15 minutes later," Varga explained. Research began immediately and by 2019, Visible Crossing’s SafeXOne system prototype was being tested in real conditions. Series production began in 2020.

SafeXOne: a pioneering pedestrian safety system slashes hit-and-run accidents in Hungary

The SafeXOne intelligent system is practically plug-and-play, with design and functionality that set it apart from its competitors. Customers easily install two columns on each side of the crossing with no need to destroy the pavement. Motion sensors detect a pedestrian’s intention to cross the road. With no false alarms, the system warns drivers with a directional flashing yellow light.

Powered with solar panels and a battery, functionality is guaranteed even in cloudy weather for up to 2 weeks. In addition, the company and its customers can remotely monitor real-time data including crossing statistics, environmental conditions and system functionality from all installations. SafeXOne is also self-monitoring, sending alerts to Visible Crossing’s servers, supporting maintenance and safety. 

Though perhaps the most important – and impactful – feature of SafeXOne when it comes to safety is its laser lighting system. "SafeXOne provides ankle-level activated laser light illumination of pedestrians as they cross the street, unparalleled in addressing the most dangerous conditions: reduced or inadequate lighting at dusk, at night, and in rain or fog as well as ‘blind driving’ caused by the headlights of oncoming traffic," explained Nagy. The facts speak for themselves. "Where the SafeXOne system was installed, the number of accidents has been reduced to zero," noted Varga.

The Enterprise Europe Network: a multinational collaboration building bridges to foreign distributors

With Hungary’s markets becoming increasingly unpredictable, Visible Crossing sought to expand internationally but lacked the know-how. Varga, who also plays a key role in new business development, turned to the Enterprise Europe Network. 

In 2018, Visible Crossing’s small team of three people began working closely with the local Network partner, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Fejér County (FMKIK), participating in programmes including the Network’s business-to-business (B2B) meetings. After five European companies, and even one in South America, contacted the company for more information, the team decided to participate in B2B events abroad.

Nagy and colleagues contacted the Network’s partner Hungarian Export Promotion Agency (HEPA) in Budapest. Serendipitously, around the same time, Melinda Czagány of HEPA was planning a trip to Berlin Design Week. "Since we are partners with the Network’s Berlin Partner for Business and Technology in the Cultural and Creative Industries Sector Group (CCI SG), I contacted Anke Wiegand there for help promoting my clients and helping them find partners at the event," said Czagány.

"Anke’s support was invaluable throughout the process. She set us up for success, providing a list of potential partners ahead of time, promoting the event in various channels, and inviting important stakeholders including clusters and associations," Czagány continued.

For her part, with the list in hand, Varga reached out to potential distributors and, in May 2023, Visible Crossing headed to Berlin Design Week as part of HEPA’s mission. "The Network’s Berlin Partner and the Hungarian Embassy in Berlin played an active role in preparation and implementation of the week’s programme, and the membership of both Enterprise Europe Network Partners in CCI SG fostered an excellent collaboration throughout the 3-day event," recalled Nagy. 

Visible Crossing presented itself at the Embassy event, spoke with many companies – and returned home having initiated negotiations with BLÖMEN Verkehrs- und Sicherheitstechnik GmbH (BLÖMEN VuS), a German distributor.

The Enterprise Europe Network helps turn potential into practical success

BLÖMEN VuS visited Visible Crossing at the end of 2023 and, after more negotiations, the first SafeXOne system was delivered in March 2024 to a chorus of extensive local publicity on the radio, in newspapers and on the city’s website. When the distribution contract is finalised after a successful test operation, BLÖMEN VuS will have exclusive rights to distribute SafeXOne in Germany.

This important achievement was not an overnight success – it was the result of the fruitful long-term collaboration between Visible Crossing and Network partners FMKIK, HEPA and Berlin Partner. "Working with Network partners, we came to understand the business processes involved in international expansion and even the communication protocols of other countries and the importance of adapting our negotiations to them," noted Nagy.

Exports have made business increasingly predictable, allowing the company to expand from three to nine employees, with continued growth expected as international demand increases. "Importantly, we have modified our business model when exporting to distant countries – large structural components are manufactured on the spot, contributing to more sustainable production and creating local jobs," Nagy added.

Closer to home, the number of Hungarian municipalities with 20-30 SafeXOne systems continues to grow as does Visible Crossing’s visionary innovation, propelling SafeXOne and pedestrian safety into a future smart-city model. In addition to features for the blind and visually impaired, SafeXOne now includes active communication with streetlights and improved vehicle analytics.

"We are ready for vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, designing for the smart-city ecosystem," said Nagy. "The Network’s continued support will be essential as we approach relevant industries for cooperation," Varga added.

Visible Crossing’s extraordinary evolution, accelerated by collaboration with Enterprise Europe Network’s experts, is testimony to the real impact possible with these collaborations. Plus, pedestrians around the world will walk safely through zebra crossings with SafeXOne as their sentinel.