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SBIR Recent Success Stories

Discover how SBIR awardees are working to improve the safety of the traveling public. Click on a project above to see how our awardees are leveraging funding to solve critical transportation issues.

U.S. DOT SBIR success stories highlight how SBIR program funding supports small businesses in developing new and innovative technologies that benefit the U.S. DOT and the public. 

Have an SBIR success story to tell? Contact us at dotsbir@dot.gov.

Using Robots to Clean Public Transit Assets

Funding Agency: FTA

Small Business: Advent Innovations

Ether-Bot in a transit center in the top two frames. The bottom two frames show the Yogi-Bot stepping into a bus and maneuvering down the aisle.
Ether-Bot in a transit center in the top two frames. The bottom two frames show the Yogi-Bot stepping into a bus and maneuvering down the aisle.

 

Leveraging Smart Storage Technology to Combat Lithium-ion Battery Fires

Funding Agency: PHMSA

Small Business: Energy Storage Safety Products International, LLC (ESSPI)

Image of Li-Ion EV charging battery (Adobe Stock/malp)
Image of Lithium-ion EV charging battery (Malp/Adobe Stock)

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Using Innovative Technology to Repair Pipelines from the Inside

Funding Agency: PHMSA

Small Business: QuakeWrap

QuakeWrap’s Automated Guide Vehicle seen through a plexiglass pipe, with SuperLaminate carbon fabric in the foreground (QuakeWrap photo)
QuakeWrap’s Automated Guide Vehicle seen through a plexiglass pipe, with SuperLaminate carbon fabric in the foreground (QuakeWrap photo)

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Using AI-Powered Camera Technology to Improve Railroad Safety

Funding Agency: FRA

Small Business: Wi-Tronix

Image shows railroad crossing at night using AI to inspect its features. (Wi-Tronix photo)
Image shows railroad crossing at night using AI to inspect its features. (Wi-Tronix photo)

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​​​​​​Using Uncrewed Aircraft Systems to Remotely Inspect Tracks and Highway-Rail Grade Crossings

Funding Agency: FRA

Small Business: MTRI Inc., VisioStack

Image captured through the mobile application during an inspection. (VisioStack photo)
Image captured through the mobile application during an inspection. (VisioStack photo)

 

Leveraging AI-Powered Technology to Gather Traffic Safety Data

Funding Agency: FHWA

Small Business: AIWaysion Inc.

MUST deployment at Yakama Nation for traffic & road conditions monitoring and hazardous events detection. (AIWaysion photo)
MUST deployment at Yakama Nation for traffic & road conditions monitoring and hazardous events detection. (AIWaysion photo)

 

Using Vehicle-Sensing Technology to Evaluate Road Safety

​​Funding Agency: FHWA

Small Business: CLR Analytics Inc.

Graphic showing a variety of commercial motor vehicles overlaid onto a map of New Hampshire. Map courtesy of OnTheWorldMap.
Graphic showing a variety of commercial motor vehicles overlaid onto a map of New Hampshire. Map courtesy of OnTheWorldMap.

 

Robotic Utility Mapper Reduces Costs, Improves Safety During Infrastructure Planning and Maintenance

Funding Agency: FHWA

Small Business: Intelligent Automation, Inc., a BlueHalo Company

The current Robotic Utility Mapping and Inspection (RUMI) mobile ground robot. (Intelligent Automation photo)  ​
​The current Robotic Utility Mapping and Inspection (RUMI) mobile ground robot. (Intelligent Automation photo)

 

Introducing Students to Careers in Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS)

Funding Agency: FHWA

Small Business: NanoSonic, Inc.

Students assemble robotic car parts during an after-school STEM class. (NanoSonic photo)  ​
Students assemble robotic car parts during an after-school STEM class. (NanoSonic photo)

 

First-of-its-Kind Hazard Alert System for Motorcyclists

Funding Agency: FHWA

Small Business: Charles River Analytics

With BARRACUDA alerts, riders receive warnings without ever taking their eyes off the road. (Charles River Analytics photo)
With BARRACUDA alerts, riders receive warnings without ever taking their eyes off the road. (Charles River Analytics photo)

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