Modar Alaoui
{{short description|Moroccan-American entrepreneur}}
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| name = Modar Alaoui
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| birth_place = Fez, Morocco
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| nationality = Moroccan-American
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| alma_mater = Concordia University
HEC Montréal
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Modar Alaoui is a Moroccan-American tech entrepreneur based in Silicon Valley, California, known for his work in artificial intelligence (AI) and computer vision. He is the founder and general partner of ALM Ventures, a Silicon Valley-based venture capital firm. He is also the founder and chair of the Humanoids Summit and the founder and chief executive officer (CEO) of Eyeris Technologies, Inc., an AI software company based in Mountain View, California.
Alaoui's work has been featured and appeared in Bloomberg TV, CNBC TV, Reuters TV, The Wall Street Journal, and Time magazine.{{Cite news |last1=Rusli |first1=Evelyn M. |last2=Dwoskin |first2=Elizabeth |date=2015-01-28 |title=The Technology that Unmasks Your Hidden Emotions |language=en-US |work=Wall Street Journal |url=http://online.wsj.com/articles/startups-see-your-face-unmask-your-emotions-1422472398 |access-date=2023-07-15 |issn=0099-9660}}
Early life and education
Born in Fez, Morocco, Alaoui moved to Montréal for his education, attending HEC Montréal and Concordia University.{{cite web|url=http://www.atelier.net/trends/articles/transition-vers-vehicule-autonome-se-fera-etapes_438754 |title=La transition vers le véhicule autonome se fera par étapes}} While at Concordia, Alaoui founded AIM Banking; a fintech company providing card terminals and managing processing rates for merchants. He later sold the company and moved to the United States.{{cite web|url=http://www.leconomiste.com/article/983533-l-export-passe-aussi-par-les-start-ups |title=L'export passe aussi par les start-ups}}{{cite web|url=https://www.linkedin.com/in/malaoui?authType=name&authToken=xaxP&trk=wonton-desktop |title= Modar (JR) Alaoui}}
Career
After completing his education at Concordia University, Alaoui worked at Dell for two years before joining InVision. Following InVision's acquisition by AudioVox, two years later, he left the company.{{citation needed|date=July 2023}}
In March 2008, Modar founded Eyeris TV, a U.S.-based in-store television network that applied facial recognition technology to measure audience demographics and deliver targeted short-form video content and advertisements.{{cite web|url=http://www.siliconbeat.com/2015/11/12/hey-drivers-well-be-watching-you/ |title= Hey, drivers – we'll be watching you!}} The company received several awards, including one for innovation and technology from the Florida Business Expo.{{cite web|url=http://www.franchisechatter.com/2012/08/04/digital-advertising-franchise-eyeris-tv-offers-a-modern-yet-affordable-advertising-solution-to-local-and-regional-advertisers-qa/ |title= Digital Advertising Franchise Eyeris TV Offers a Modern Yet Affordable Advertising Solution to Local and Regional Advertisers (Q&A)}} In 2011, it initiated a research and development project focused on facial microexpression-based emotion recognition and additional facial analytics beyond age and gender classification.{{cite web|url=http://www.cnbeta.com/articles/483343.htm |title=汽车厂商欲用人工智能防止司机分神 }} In 2013, the company relocated to Silicon Valley. It then adopted deep learning methods built on artificial neural networks for emotion recognition and related facial analytics, and rebranded as Eyeris Technologies, Inc. Its primary product at that time was computer vision software designed to analyze facial microexpressions in real-time.{{cite web|url=http://techon.nikkeibp.co.jp/atcl/event/15/040400051/040800008/?n_cid=nbptec_tecml&rt=nocnt |title=感情認識"でクルマを制御、自動運転への切り替えも}}
In early 2014, Alaoui and his engineering team adapted the technology for automotive applications to support Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). In June 2014, in Detroit, Michigan, Alaoui publicly announced a driver monitoring system (DMS) that detects driver attention, cognitive awareness and emotional distraction.{{cite web |title=Car Makers Test Technology to Make You Pay Attention to the Road |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/car-tech-that-watches-how-you-drive-1457692201}}{{cite web |title=Feeling sad, angry? Your future car will know |url=http://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/eyeris-emovu-detects-driver-emotions/}}
In 2019, regulatory developments in the automotive industry, such as Euro NCAP mandate for camera-based Driver Monitoring System and Occupant Monitoring System (OMS) aligned with Eyeris' interior monitoring technology. In 2020, Alaoui introduced an in-cabin sensor fusion AI at the CES 2020 which was held in Las Vegas, Nevada.{{Cite news |last=Bindley |first=Katherine |date=2020-01-07 |title=AI-Powered Cameras Represent Tech's Biggest Trade-off |language=en-US |work=Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/ai-powered-cameras-represent-techs-biggest-trade-off-11578414752 |access-date=2023-07-15 |issn=0099-9660}}
In 2022, Alaoui unveiled a monocular 3D sensing technology that converts 2D sensor data into depth-aware outputs for 3D scene reconstruction. It debuted at the first InCabin conference in Brussels.{{Cite web|url=https://www.autovision-news.com/in-cabin/eyeris-autotech-awards-2024/ |title=Eyeris Wins Two AutoTech Awards}}
Awards and recognition
Alaoui is a recipient of several technology and innovation awards.{{cite web |title=行车安全无小事：来看看最新的防疲劳驾驶系统 |url=http://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_6c0b2b630102wl2p.html?tj=tech}}{{cite web |title=SUCCÈS AFFIRMÉ POUR LA 1ÈRE ÉDITION STARTUP AFRICA SUMMIT |url=http://lnt.ma/succes-affirme-pour-la-1ere-edition-startup-africa-summit/}} Alaoui, together with Eyeris have been named award finalists for 10 consecutive years at the AutoTech Awards (formerly known as TU Automotive Awards) in Detroit. He has won 4 awards at the AutoTech Awards, and 3 additional awards at AutoSens in Brussels and at the Global Automotive Awards including:
- 2024: AutoTech Awards winner in the “Automotive Tech Company of the Year” and “Automotive Product of the Year” categories.
- 2023: Informa Tech Automotive Award finalist in the Software Supplier of the Year and the Automotive Cockpit of the Future categories.{{Cite web |title=Informa Tech Automotive Awards 2023 |url=https://wardsauto.informa.com/informa-tech-automotive-awards/ |access-date=2023-07-15 |website=WardsAuto |language=en-US}}
- 2022: Informa Tech Automotive Award finalist in the Cockpit of the Future Product/Service of the Year and the Automotive AI Product/Service of the Year categories.{{Cite web |title=Informa Tech Automotive Awards 2023 |url=https://wardsauto.informa.com/informa-tech-automotive-awards/ |access-date=2023-07-15 |website=WardsAuto |language=en-US}}
- 2022: AutoSens Award finalist in the Most Novel Research Award category.{{Cite web |date=2022-09-18 |title=Autonomous & Self-Driving Vehicle News: Usher, Hyperspec AI, SOSLAB, Smart Eye, Quanergy, Eyeris & Continental {{!}} auto connected car news |url=https://www.autoconnectedcar.com/2022/09/autonomous-self-driving-vehicle-news-usher-hyperspec-ai-soslab-smart-eye-quanergy-eyeris-continental/ |access-date=2023-07-15 |language=en-US}}
- 2021: Informa Tech Automotive Awards finalist in the Startup of the Year, Automotive Tech Company of the Year, and Cockpit of the Future Product/Service of the Year categories.{{Cite web |title=Announcing the 2021 Informa Tech Automotive Award Winners |url=https://wardsauto.informa.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/informa-tech-automotive-award-winners-2021-press-release.pdf}}
- 2021: Informa Tech Automotive Awards winner in the Cockpit of the Future Product/Service of the Year category.{{Cite web |last=Aumont |first=Philippe |date=2021-12-16 |title=Best Cockpit of the Future Award for Eyeris |url=https://www.drivingvisionnews.com/news/2021/12/16/best-cockpit-of-the-future-award-for-eyeris/ |access-date=2023-07-15 |website=DVN |language=en-US}}
- 2020: Global Automotive Awards winner in the Best AV In-Cabin Sensor Innovator category.{{Cite web |title=Eyeris (2020 Winner: Global Automotive Awards) |url=https://www.corporatevision-news.com/winners/eyeris/ |access-date=2023-07-15 |website=Corporate Vision Magazine |language=en-GB}}
- 2020: Informa Tech Automotive Awards finalist in the Best Automotive AI Product of the Year Mobility Product/Service category.{{Cite web |title=Informa Tech Automotive Awards 2023 |url=https://wardsauto.informa.com/informa-tech-automotive-awards/ |access-date=2023-07-15 |website=WardsAuto |language=en-US}}
- 2019: AutoSens Silver Awards winner in the Best Automotive Safety System and the Most Innovative In-Cabin Application categories.{{Cite web |date=2019-09-18 |title=Prestigious AutoSens Awards ceremony honours innovation throughout the vehicle perception industry - AutoSens |url=https://auto-sens.com/awards-winners-2019/ |access-date=2023-07-15 |language=en-GB}}
- 2019: TU Automotive Awards finalist in the Best Auto Mobility Product/Service and the Best Data/A.I. Product/Service categories.{{Cite web |title=TU-Automotive Awards 2019: Honoring innovation, incredible success and unparalleled achievements |url=https://www.tu-auto.com/tu-automotive-awards-2019-honoring-innovation-incredible-success-and-unparalleled-achievements/}}
- 2018: TU Automotive Awards finalist in the Best Auto Mobility Product or Service and the Best Connected Product or Service categories.{{Cite web |title=Eyeris Recognized as Finalist for Human Behavior Understanding AI at 2018 TU-Automotive Awards |url=https://www.epicos.com/article/272056/eyeris-recognized-finalist-human-behavior-understanding-ai-2018-tu-automotive-awards |access-date=2023-07-15 |website=www.epicos.com |language=en}}
- 2017: TU Automotive Awards winner in the Best Connected Service or Product for Commercial Market for Driver and Occupants Monitoring AI category.{{Cite web |date=2017-06-05 |title=TU-Automotive (Connected Car) Detroit News: BMW, Airbiquity, Excelfore, Green Hills, Aria, Karamba & More {{!}} auto connected car news |url=https://www.autoconnectedcar.com/2017/06/tu-automotive-connected-car-detroit-news-bmw-airbiquity-excelfore-green-hills-aria-karamba-more/ |access-date=2023-07-15 |language=en-US}}
- 2015: TU Automotive Awards finalist in the Best Commercial Vehicle System Integrator, the Best Safety or ADAS Solution and the Best Industry Newcomer categories.{{Cite web |title=You are being redirected... |url=http://gpsworld.com/tu-automotive-announces-connected-car-award-finalists |access-date=2023-07-15 |website=gpsworld.com}}
References
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Category:Concordia University alumni