Edmonton startup SenseHuman builds machine-vision hardhat for job site safety

SenseHuman, an Edmonton-based startup, is expanding operations to produce a machine-vision hardhat that monitors industrial job site safety, according to a report by BetaKit on October 9, 2026. The company raised $250,000 CAD in pre-seed funding from OpenCircle Cont in January to scale commercial manufacturing and headgear deployment.

Chief Executive Officer Adil Muhammad founded the company last October alongside Gavin Mei, Vicente Gonzalez, and Gaang Lee. Muhammad, a graduate of the University of Alberta with a master's degree in civil engineering, previously conducted research at the university's IHT Lab on integrating safety technology into construction worksites.

The protective headgear uses four cameras and computer vision software running on edge hardware to provide 360-degree worksite monitoring. When the system detects immediate hazards such as trenches, ledges, or tripping risks, it sends directional vibrating alerts through the hardhat. The software can also be configured to enforce specific site rules, such as maintaining a three-metre distance from operating machinery.

The system does not feature visual screens and excludes audio recording due to privacy considerations. However, video footage captured by the hardhat cameras has already been utilized by a pilot partner to investigate a job site accident. The company noted that the technology is focused on preventing minor injuries and cannot reliably predict falling objects from above.

Workplace Safety Data

Data from the Association of Workers' Compensation Boards of Canada showed more than 320,000 lost-time injury claims in 2024. Trades, transportation, and equipment operators recorded the highest number of claims across the country.

In British Columbia, provincial safety agency WorkSafeBC reported nearly 38,000 accepted claims in the construction sector in May. Falls accounted for nearly 5,800 claims, while equipment and vehicular collisions totaled nearly 7,000, generating total costs exceeding $1.3 billion. Employers in Alberta can face penalties running into hundreds of thousands of dollars following job site incidents.

Scaling Commercial Production

SenseHuman has signed commercial customers and completed initial pilot programs since its launch. The company is seeking additional investor backing to increase manufacturing capacity and meet client demand across industrial sectors.