Inspired by the fact that car technology can take 10 to 20 years to appear on the production line before remaining stagnant for the lifetime of the vehicle, Pearl Automation set out to design products that turn older cars into high-tech models. Co-founded by Bryson Gardner, Joseph Fisher and Brian Sander – all part of the Apple leadership team that created more than 15 generations of iPods and iPhones – Pearl launched in June 2016. It has 80 employees – 50 are former Apple engineers and designers.

Its first product is a weather-proof reversing camera and alert system RearVision. Drivers fit the frame around their number plate and it automatically streams live footage to their smartphone via two wide angle HD cameras. Pearl has received Series A and B funding totalling $50m (£38.8m).