AGD646 Achieves its now innovation award

AGD646 Achieves its now innovation award

AGD Systems is proud to announce that the AGD646 Vulnerable Road User Detector has been awarded First Prize in the 2026 ITS Now Innovation Awards, presented at this year’s Traffex Exhibition and Conference.

The ITS Now Innovation Awards celebrate the ingenuity, engineering excellence and practical problem-solving that continue to shape the future of intelligent transport systems. With the mobility sector evolving rapidly ahead of the UK-hosted ITS World Congress in Birmingham in 2027, this year’s awards recognised technologies delivering meaningful real-world impact and advancing the future of safer, smarter transport.

Taking the top spot in 2026, the AGD646 was recognised for its innovative approach to detecting and classifying non-motorised users (NMUs), including pedestrians, cyclists, wheelchair users and people pushing prams or buggies. Combining AI-powered analytics, long-range infrared illumination and advanced edge processing, the detector has been specifically designed for highly accurate kerbside detection in demanding urban environments.

The AGD646 enables adaptive pedestrian signal strategies by identifying users waiting at crossings, helping reduce waiting times, improve safety and support more inclusive road networks. Its ability to distinguish between different vulnerable road user types provides traffic engineers with valuable new capabilities as active travel and vulnerable road user prioritisation become increasingly central to UK transport policy.

Built around a high-quality image sensor, AI models trained specifically for kerbside environments and designed in compliance with TOPAS 2507B, the AGD646 represents AGD Systems’ continued commitment to delivering intelligent, practical and future-ready detection technology for modern traffic control systems.

Commenting on the award, Kieran Corbally, Senior Commercial Manager at AGD Systems said:
“We are delighted that the AGD646 has been recognised by the ITS Now Innovation Awards. This award reflects the dedication of our engineering and development teams, and our ongoing focus on creating technology that improves safety, accessibility and efficiency for all road users.”

More information about the AGD646 can be found here:
https://agd-systems.com/products/agd646/

To find out more about the 2026 ITS Now Innovation Awards, watch the latest episode: ITS Now on YouTube

About ITS Now
Founded by respected industry expert, Alistair Gollop, ITS Now exists to promote best practice and professional development within the Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) sector. ITS Now originates resources ranging from videos, reference books and guidance documents through to ITS Edge Magazine, informative references and educational content.

For more information, visit: https://itsnow.org/

AGD Systems Unveils AI-Powered Detector Focused on Identifying Vulnerable Road Users at Crossings 

AGD Systems Unveils AI-Powered Detector Focused on Identifying Vulnerable Road Users at Crossings 

AGD Systems Limited are proud to announce the launch of the AGD646 AI Pedestrian and VRU Detector, a next-generation solution designed to accurately detect and differentiate vulnerable road users (VRUs) at pedestrian crossings using advanced artificial intelligence. 

At the core of the AGD646 is a powerful AI engine specifically trained for kerbside environments. This intelligent system can distinguish between different types of road users, including pedestrians, cyclists and wheelchair users, within designated waiting areas. By identifying who is waiting to cross, the AGD646 enables traffic systems to respond more intelligently and prioritise those most at risk. 

This targeted detection capability marks a significant advancement in pedestrian crossing technology. Rather than simply detecting presence, the AGD646 delivers contextual awareness, understanding the type of user and enabling adaptive signal strategies that improve both safety and efficiency. 

The real innovation behind the AGD646 lies in its ability to understand the road user environment. By using AI to differentiate between vulnerable users, we can support smarter decisions at crossings, reducing risk, improving flow, and ultimately saving lives.

Kieran Corbally, Senior Commercial Manager

The detector combines its AI capabilities with long-range infrared illumination, ensuring consistent and reliable performance in all lighting and weather conditions. This allows accurate monitoring of kerbside zones up to 3m x 10m, maintaining high detection confidence day and night. 

Key capabilities of the AGD646 include: 

  • AI-driven classification of vulnerable road users, including pedestrians and cyclists 
  • Intelligent detection of waiting-area occupancy to support adaptive signal control 
  • Enhanced safety through prioritisation of vulnerable users at crossings 
  • Reliable operation in low light and adverse weather using integrated infrared illumination 
  • High-precision optics and imaging for accurate real-time analysis 

Enhanced Cyber Security with AGD Connect 

In addition to its advanced detection capabilities, the AGD646 supports enhanced cyber security through integration with AGD Connect. This secure browser enables safe remote access and device management, helping to protect critical infrastructure from unauthorised access and cyber threats. This focus on cyber resilience is increasingly vital as traffic systems become more connected and data-driven. 

The AGD646 also continues to use established and easy to use AGD’s Touch-Setup system, for quick and safe configuration via Wi-Fi from a laptop or mobile device. Installers can define detection zones and adjust system parameters without needing direct access to the unit. 

Fully tested and AGD Certified, the AGD646 provides a robust and future-ready solution for cities seeking to enhance safety for vulnerable road users while advancing toward smarter, more responsive transport infrastructure.