The business, based at University of Leeds innovation hub Nexus, has already secured orders for the CrowdedCROSS pedestrian crossing system from UK local authorities and is set to launch to its international customer base later this year.

Liam Wright, founder and CEO of Innotech Insights, said: “We created CrowdedCROSS during lockdown, because our core business – monitoring people movement and behaviour to inform planning decisions – obviously came to an abrupt halt as people were staying at home.

“Our data analytics specialists re-focused their expertise on tackling the issue of public health and safety when using crossings and other points of public access, offering pedestrians using a smart device a Covid-safe, contactless experience.”

It consists of three main elements to assist pedestrian crossing and data collection: a hand-based proximity sensor, a digital trigger using a mobile phone app and a Bluetooth beacon which enables users to access highways and local authority messaging about roadworks and road safety.

Dr Martin Stow, director of Nexus, said: “Liam and his team have reset and renewed their offer, using their knowledge and strength in data analytics, to create a new product which delivers a simple, but effective solution to a specific issue, as well as providing significant societal benefit.

“At the same time, they continue to refine and develop their core business, to scale at pace on the international stage.”