Easyrain and Marelli collaborate for the industrialization of AIS and DAI

The agreement with Marelli solidifies Easyrain’s growth path and represents a significant milestone in the 2023-2030 industrial plan



Zero road fatalitiess by 2050.

This is the ambitious goal set by the EU in 2021′ The Road to Zero’program, after decades of positive results in reducing road mortality. However, data analysis shows that the decline is slowing down, driven by critical situations such as accidents on wet roads: in cities, 19% of the victims occur under wet road conditions (source: European Commission preliminary data on road fatalities for 2022)¹. To reverse this trend, we need technologies and innovations to change the current paradigms of vehicle safety.

And that’s precisely what Easyrain has been doing for years, developing its owntechnologies, which will now be industrialized in partnership with an exceptional partner.

We are proud to announce our partnership with Marelli Marelli, a global automotive supplierthatwill work with us to industrialize our technologies: Aquaplaning Intelligent Solution, the first system for restoring vehicle traction on wet roads, including aquaplaning conditions, and Digital Aquaplaning Information, a platform of virtual sensors for detecting road conditions and calibrating ADAS.

The agreement with Marelli solidifies Easyrain’s growth path and represents a significant milestone in the 2023-2030 industrial plan. In addition to research and development of new products, this plan aims to launch AIS and DAI on the market, scheduled for late 2025 and mid-2027, respectively.

This partnership is a source of great prideas it elevates Easyrain to one of the most promising automotive startups in the global market. This is evidenced by the Most Innovative Road Safety Technology Developer 2023 award from the prestigious Success Knocks, and the growing interest from automakers, sealed by a new agreement with a third carmakerfor the creation of a Proof of Concept aimed at production.

As part of the collaboration, Marelli will focus on industrializing the AIS system’s evolution (called Proto-B), fully complying with automotive industry production standards. AIS Proto-B, to be validated in July 2024, meets carmakers’ production demands and is poised to become a groundbreaking solution for the automotive industry, similar to the impact of ABS and ESP.

Through small injectors hidden in the bumper, AIS sprays a controlled jet of water in front of the front wheels to remove excess water from theroad, thus reestablishing traction. This happens only when the powerful DAI software detects hazardous situations, optimizing water consumption and adapting the system’s response to road conditions. AIS can spray liquid on only one side of the vehicle to counter dangerous yaw rotationcaused by puddles affecting either the left or right wheels. The precision of detection and system speed have allowed the elimination of any additional tank, making use of tiny amounts of water contained in the windshield washer tank, standard equipment on all vehicle.

AIS is the first active system that changes road conditions and makes them safer. Moreover, it is the only system that operates directly on the road rather than on the vehicle, a paradigm shift from currently available technologies.

AIS raises the safety standards of all vehicles, both traditional and autonomous, by enabling the anti-lock braking system and electronic stability control to function where they otherwise wouldn’t, allowing vehicles to safely handle puddles and aquaplaning situations.

AIS is also the world’s first system capable of effectively addressing the problem of accidents on highly wet roads and aquaplaning conditions, a complex issue that has never found a radical solution and is responsible for thousands of injuries and fatalities: in Europe, there are approximately 212,000 such incidents annually.

These are alarming numbers that have driven us to go beyond: Easyrain’s R&D division is also working on an evolution of AIS capable of restoring traction not only in cases of loss of control on wet roads but also in snowy and icy conditions. This greatly enhances driving safety in low-traction conditions and solves a significant problem for both present-day and future autonomous vehicles. Thanks to the adoption of our systems, these vehicles can be not only safer but also more appealing from a market perspective.

As part of the partnership, Marelli will also produce the electronics in which DAI, one of the most advanced virtual sensor platforms globally for detecting wet road safety, will be installed. DAI, which doesn’t require an internet connection or additional sensors, enables the calibration of ADAS and assisted and autonomous driving technologies. It is poised to become the ultimate solution to the challenges of driverless cars, not only on highly wet roads but also in snow, ice, potholes, and gravel conditions.

Furthermore, DAI will become a crucial tool inreducing CO2 emissions and fuel/energy consumption. This is achieved through the feature that detects irregularities in the vehicle’s alignment: in the case of misalignments in the characteristic wheel angles (camber and toe), the vehicle can experience increased rolling resistance, leading to higher consumption and emissions. DAI recognizes these situations and notifies the vehicle.

Additionally, a safety feature is currently under development to prevent the potential loss of a wheel, a dangerous yet often underestimated phenomenon. In the event of a loosening of the wheel fastening nuts, micro-vibrational phenomena can occur, causing the nut to become loose. DAI detects these situations and alerts the vehicle.

Giovanni Blandina, founder and CEO of Easyrain:

I have several reasons to be proud of this partnership, but one stands out—the sense of optimism that has permeated our meetings during the negotiation phase. Perhaps the positiveatmosphere of the Motor Valley Fest facilitated our initial discussions with Miticocchio. However, looking to the future, I amdelighted with how Marelli’s team opened up to us, both from a technical and ethical standpoint, fully embracing our mission and our vision regarding the market potential of our products.

Our nextgoal is to develop the Proto-B version of the AIS system. I have no doubts about Marelli’s technical capabilities in making it an extraordinary product in terms of performance, as well as lightweight and cost-effective.

Today, with a prestigious partner like Marelli by our side, Easyrain can undoubtedly look further into the future and confidently take a seat at the table of automakers. This achievement demonstrates that Easyrain’s strong focus on its mission through sound ethics, which revolves around ourteam, is the right path for tackling the significant challenges faced by a startup in the automotive industry.

The agreement with Marelli is a team result, and that’s why I must thank my team for their incredible energy in facing this challenge every day.I can’t wait to see the results of this extraordinary collaboration and wish our teams the best of luck.

Francesco Miticocchio, VicePresident Strategic Planning, Technology & Innovation of Marelli:

The technology that Easyrain has developed, the AIS system, perfectly fits with one of the strategic pillar of Marelli: vehicle dynamics. We are investing to consolidate our positioning as solution provider in vehicle dynamics, where more and more functions are being developed, also cross-domain, thanks to the increasing presence of electronics in the vehicle. Safety, security, comfort, agility and energy management are new vehicle dynamics features that complement the traditional acceleration and speed. The AIS system is a key safety element that we are very happy to bring to market in partnership with Easyrain.

Besides the technology, we have found in Easyrain a partner that is very easy to work with: although they are a start-up, they have a very clear vision fully aligned with their technology development and with their business development activities. After the initial general discussions I have had with Giovanni Blandina, Easyrain CEO, we have mobilized our technical team that started the interactions with the team of Easyrain: it was very clear from the start that Easyrain had a very precise understanding of what they were able to do and what they needed from us. As it turned out, we were perfectly complementary: Easyrain had already spent a significant amount of time to conceive the AIS concept, basic configuration and algorithms, while Marelli had a long and consolidated experience in the design and industrialization optimization of many key components of the system itself.

It has taken only a few months for our teams to really integrate and start moving fast towards the Proto B.

Easyrain announce a new 5.8 million euros funding round!

Easyrain 2023 Capital Increase

Easyrain is undergoing a capital increase and preparing for collaborations with a Tier-1 company and an automotive manufacturer.

Easyrain 2023 Capital Increase

Barely we had time to tone down the enthusiasm from the successful participation in the Goodwood Festival of Speed, and it’s already time to announce a new and significant milestone: Easyrain announces the subscription of a capital increase worth 5.8 million euros.

This new funding round is the third since Easyrain’s foundation, totaling 15.8 million euros, and it strengthens our position as an automotive startup in the field of safety system development among the most robust and promising worldwide.

This is evidenced by the invitation to the Future Lab at the Goodwood Festival of Speed and being listed among the 10 Most Innovative Companies of 2023 by the prestigious magazine Digital First, along with the growing interest from automakers. After signing an innovation contract with a major automotive group, a second manufacturer has started the integration of the AIS system into one of its electric vehicles. Following the innovation contract signed with a significant automotive group, we have commenced collaboration with a second manufacturer, seamlessly integrating our entire product ecosystem into one of their experimental vehicle. Simultaneously, Easyrain is actively engaged in productive discussions with other carmakers.

The new funding round was subscribed by Indaco Ventures Partners SGR and Progress Tech Transfer, which continue to support the company after the two previous capital increases, and by the new investors LIFTT and Equiter (through the RIF-T vehicle), which supported Easyrain’s mission from the very beginning – developing innovative safety systems to save lives. LCA Legal Study‘s emerging company and venture capital team managed the legal aspects of the investment round, providing assistance to Easyrain in all previous investment rounds.

The capital increase will enable Easyrain to support the 2023-2030 industrial plan, launch the DAI software on the market, and industrialize the AIS system.

Scheduled for production in late 2025, the Digital Aquaplaning Information (DAI) will transition from a virtual sensor capable of monitoring safety on wet roads to a full-fledged ADAS detection and calibration platform. The DAI will enhance autonomous driving safety through a new set of functionalities currently under development, aimed at improving the effectiveness of autonomous driving in low-grip conditions.

The revolutionary Aquaplaning Intelligent Solution (AIS) will reach the “production-ready” stage by autumn 2024, with the collaboration of a leading Tier-1 company in the automotive industry, supporting Easyrain in the industrialization phase. We will soon and proudly announce this agreement as well. The production version of AIS, known as AIS Proto-B, will be more compact, lightweight, and compliant with automotive industry production standards.

AIS is the first and only active safety system that changes road conditions by eliminating the risk element before the wheels encounter it. Through small injectors concealed within the bumper, the AIS sprays a controlled jet of water – only when the DAI sensor demands it – in front of the car’s front wheels, removing excess water from the road and restoring contact between the tires and the ground. AIS is, therefore, a crucial system for all vehicles, both traditional and assisted or autonomous driving ones.

Easyrain is focused on developing new technologies, and that’s why it has already begun to envision the new AIS system, capable of restoring traction in case of loss of control on wet, snowy, or icy roads.

 

Statement by Giovanni Blandina, CEO and founder of Easyrain:

The capital increase represents the recognition of a successful project and journey. The synergy between technical development and financial growth establishes Easyrain as a leading startup in the road safety field. I am extremely proud of what we have achieved so far. There is still a long way to go, but the increasing activities with different carmakers indicate that we are on the right track. I would like to thank the members of the Board of Directors, the funds Indaco Ventures, Progress Tech Transfer, Equiter, and LiFTT, the Bianchi Vimercati family, and my team for their extraordinary work and commitment. This significant milestone opens doors to ambitious goals, the most important of which are to expand our team and make our technologies available in the market.

 

Statement by Alvise Bonivento, partner at Indaco Venture Partners

We are delighted to continue supporting this project, which aims to place the crucial topic of driving safety in challenging road conditions back at the forefront of the automotive scene, with innovative solutions encompassing both software and hardware. Furthermore, having the chance to support an Italian startup that we have funded since its inception is an extra source of pride for us. We have great faith in this team’s capabilities to bring forth a project that can have a significant impact, even in terms of lives saved, and we are pleased to continue aiding them on this journey, both financially and by leveraging our experience and network in the sector.

 

Statement by Alberto Calvo, partner at Progress Tech Transfer:

Following this significant milestone for Easyrain fills us with great satisfaction, as it aligns with our strategy as a team that interprets venture capital, especially in the early stages, as a mission to support founders with capital, expertise, and connections. Easyrain is an exemplary case of a deeply technological startup that combines solid technical skills with commercial sensitivity. We invest not only capital but also relational resources and expertise accumulated through many years of experience in the industry and business community.

 

Statement by Giovanni Tesoriere, CEO at LIFTT:

Easyrain is a startup that has made automotive safety its mission, designing and implementing solutions that set new standards for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems and mobility in the future. Competence and innovation are part of their DNA, as they are an expression of a territory dedicated to the automotive industry, reinterpreting the visionary component that determined its global success in the last century. It is no coincidence that the company has engaged in advanced dialogues with key players in the industry, and it is also no coincidence that it has become part of our portfolio after a careful analysis of their key parameters.

 

Statement by Carla Patrizia Ferrari, CEO at Equiter:

We believe in the importance of Easyrain’s industrial project, a promising reality in our territory that develops cutting-edge technological solutions for road safety. We intend to support its development in light of the solid industrial plan and the social value that the platform’s launch will have in terms of social impact. Reducing fatalities caused by aquaplaning incidents aligns with the European Union’s guidelines, which aim to achieve the goal of “zero road fatalities” by 2050.

Easyrain is gearing up for FOS’ Future Lab!

Easyrain @ Goodwood Festival of Speed's Future Lab

In just two weeks, we will be joining the automotive industry’s finest at this prestigious event.

Stay tuned for updates as we prepare to showcase our latest advancements in automotive safety at Festival of Speed’s Future Lab, Goodwood’s innovation pavilion packed with dynamic, interactive technologies.

We can’t wait to demonstrate the power of our systems and share how they are shaping the future of driving.

Visit our booth at the festival to experience firsthand the cutting-edge technologies that are making waves in the industry. Our team will be there to provide insights, answer your questions, and discuss how Easyrain is driving innovation in the automotive world.

Meet us at the Mobility on a Mission area!

Major step heading to industrialization!

Easyrain Proto-B anti-aquaplaning system

Mark your calendars! Easyrain is gearing up for Goodwood Festival of Speed’s Future Lab!

Easyrain is committed to transforming road safety and revolutionizing the way we drive on low grip surfaces.

Stay tuned for updates as we prepare to showcase our latest advancements in automotive safety in one of the automotive industry’s finest event: Festival of Speed’s Future Lab, Goodwood’s innovation pavilion packed with dynamic, interactive technology.

We can’t wait to demonstrate the power of our systems and share how they are shaping the future of driving.

Visit our booth at the festival to experience firsthand the cutting-edge technologies that are making waves in the industry. Our team will be there to provide insights, answer your questions, and discuss how Easyrain is driving innovation in the automotive world.

Easyrain marks 10 years!

easyrain 10 years

Our effort to enhance road safety achieves a key milestone

We’re celebrating a decade of history and all of the people who have worked so hard to make this possible.

Entering our second decade, Easyrain is well positioned to become a new player in the field of Road Safety for human-driven and autonomous vehicles, with an offering of hardware, software, and cloud products for hazardous wet road conditions and other grip related issues.

We have wrapped up 10 years of innovation, development, and success in a video, but the best is yet to come!