Melbourne-based road safety technology company Acusensus has won the Knowledge and Innovation category at the 2025 Melbourne Awards for its AI-powered system that is improving road safety across Victoria and beyond.
The company, founded in Melbourne in 2018, has developed the Heads Up technology that uses specially equipped cameras and artificial intelligence to detect drivers using mobile phones and vehicle occupants not wearing seatbelts.
The system can see through windscreens to identify unsafe behaviors, with AI automatically reviewing images before they are verified by human reviewers.
Acusensus technology has been deployed by governments in Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States, addressing two of the ‘fatal four; road safety risks – distracted driving and seatbelt compliance.
In New South Wales, where the technology was first used in the world’s first camera enforcement program targeting illegal mobile phone use, detections have dropped six-fold since implementation. The state has also dramatically outperformed other Australian states in road fatality reduction over the past three years and now has the lowest road fatalities per capita of all Australian states.
The company’s technology has also enabled Queensland’s world-first camera enforcement program for seatbelt compliance.
Lord Mayor Nick Reece said the Melbourne Awards recognized incredible Melburnians who push the envelope and go above and beyond to make the city the best it can be.
In a statement on its website, Acusensus said the recognition affirms its commitment to share knowledge and innovation to address road safety challenges. “Contributing to Melbourne’s culture of innovation and collaboration, our Melbourne headquarters attracts and nurtures our creative and technical talent, including our research and development team. We are proud to be growing from our Melbourne roots to build a safer future across Australia and the world.”
The awards ceremony was held at Melbourne Town Hall on Saturday 15 November, recognizing individuals and organizations driving positive change across the city.
Other 2025 Melbourne Awards category winners:
- Aboriginal Melbourne – ganbu guljin: Birrarangga Film Festival
- Access and Inclusion: Adaptive Music Bridging Program (Melbourne Youth Orchestras)
- Arts and Events: Asia TOPA 2025 (Arts Centre Melbourne)
- City Design: Melbourne Place Hotel (Kennedy Nolan)
- Community: River Nile School
- LGBTIQA+: Mpox Response (Thorne Harbour Health)
- Sustainability: Carbon Footprint Reduction Project (Trades Hall and Literary Institute)
The Melburnian of the Year award went to MECCA Brands founder and Co-CEO Jo Horgan, while Dr Belle Lim was named Young Melburnian of the Year.
