EXIA

Founded in 2013 as a spin-off company of imec and the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), eXia Belgium N.V. is a worldwide pioneer in the development of advanced electrostatic sensor solutions for near-field collision avoidance.

eXia’s proprietary electrostatic sensing technology is the culmination of more than 15 years of academic research at the Department of Electronics and Information (ETRO) of the VUB, with theoretical contributions being delivered in the fields of signal processing and numerical mathematics, while also targeting some very diverse applications of electrical sensing and imaging in domains such as medical imaging, wildlife preservation, security, and road safety.

Ahead of new EU safety requirements for the detection of vulnerable road users, eXia has been addressing the risks and dangers of urban traffic with its Active Sideguard blind spot sensors, which support truck drivers and protect vulnerable road users during turn manoeuvres. Active Sideguard combines a superb all-weather operation, with unrivalled 3D volumetric detection, and an impact resilient design to stand even the toughest transport assignments.

Apart from its road safety business, the company is also focusing on the development of new scalable use cases. Today, eXia sensors are applied in assisted driving, autonomous vehicles, robotics and machine safety.

• 2013: Incorporation eXia Belgium.
• 2014: Commercial launch of Active Sideguard, the world’s premiere electrostatic blind spot collision avoidance sensor for trucks.
• 2018: As part of a worldwide unique pilot study in collaboration with Port of Antwerp-Bruges, eXia unveils its Bridge Deck Intrusion and Detection System (BDIDS) which provides surveillance coverage to ensure safe tilt bridge operation and protection against unauthorized intrusion by cyslists and pedestrians.
• 2019: eXia partners with a world-renowned industrial partner to study the application of electrostatic sensor technology for future generation outdoor robots.
• 2020: eXia welcomes global market leaders AB Inbev and Heidelberg Materials as new lead clients for its Active Sideguard blind spot sensors.
• 2021: Active Sideguard listed in the "Volvo Truck Shop Europe" catalogue, Volvo Trucks' official aftermarket parts programma, providing European Volvo Truck dealers and partner companies with direct access to selected 3rd party components.
• 2022: eXia enters a commercial partnership with Ethias Services, a wholly owned subsidiary of Ethias Group. Ethias is Belgium's fourth-largest insurance company, and the country's premier insurer of the public sector.
• 2024: SWOV (Institute for Road Safety Research, NL) top ranks Active Sideguard in a qualitative comparison of 66 commercially available blind spot monitoring systems, R-2023-9: "inventory and assessment of commercially available blind spot monitoring systems".