Voi, a micromobility startup, has raised $45 Million. It claims the funds will be used to develop and research technology to improve safety, prevent users from riding on sidewalks, and ensure that scooters are correctly parked.Voi and Luna, an Irish startup, have just launched a pilot project in Northhampton to see if computer vision technology can be used to address parking and sidewalk riding problems. According to the company, the R&D funding will be used to pioneer the use of computer vision software that can prevent pavement riding.Voi spoke out to TechCrunch to say that Voi is leading the charge in technology adoption. Voi also stated that Luna will be available next year on its fleet. TechCrunch also reported that Voi is open to outfitting its ebikes with computer vision tech.TechCrunch was told by a Voi spokesperson that the company is pleased with its progress and is looking into its own technology. This could include purchasing Luna. Voi has not made any acquisitions or decisions yet, but it is investing in its next generation scooter. The next vehicle could have computer vision built-in, and not retro-fitted onto the stem.Voi already operates scooters in 70 cities across Europe and the U.K., and is looking to expand. Voi sees technology that reduces sidewalk clutter, safety, and parking as key to forming city partnerships and maintaining existing ones.Voi plans to use the funds to address the problem of sidewalk parking by installing parking racks. Voi installed 100 parking spaces in Stockholm on Wednesday in accordance with the city. Voi has more than 300 parking racks in the UK.Voi has a swappable battery system, which is popular with Lime and Spin. The racks are only there to keep scooters from the public right-of-way. Voi believes that having physical racks can help make cities more sustainable and provide a service for the people who live there.Vois' total funding has now reached $205 million with this latest round. The Raine Group led the round, and existing investors such as VNV Global joined new investors. The company didn't specify who these new investors were.
