Draft:David Vout

David Vout is an English engineer, entrepreneur, and founder of innovation-driven ventures including Global Detailing Services, BikeHUD, Vout Hangers, and Profius Ltd. With nearly four decades of experience across mechanical, structural, civil, and software engineering, Vout is recognized for pioneering scalable design solutions and building product-led businesses from the ground up. Known for blending precision engineering with sculptural utility, his work spans motorcycle wearable technology, kinetic architecture, and functional art—and has been featured in media outlets such as Forbes, MoreBikes, and Crunchbase.

Career

Early Career (Pre-2003)

Vout began his career as an apprentice-trained mechanical engineer with British Railways, earning an ONC in Mechanical Engineering. He advanced to the role of Design Engineer within British Rail’s London Midland Region Civil Engineers Office, where he was responsible for designing a range of bridge and trackside structures. During this period, he also completed an HNC in Civil Engineering. He went on to work as a Structural Engineer at Shepherd Gilmour and as a Highways Engineer for Staffordshire County Council, contributing to infrastructure and transportation projects across the West Midlands. He later became Product Manager for RebarCAD, a globally deployed AutoCAD-based software solution for reinforced steel detailing, used across commercial construction and civil engineering sectors. This role deepened his understanding of product integration, international rollout, and workflow optimization—key themes that would underpin his future ventures.

Global Detailing Services (2003–2015)

In 2003, Vout co-founded Global Detailing Services LLC, a structural engineering consultancy headquartered in Albany, New York. The company specialized in outsourced detailing and design solutions for the construction industry, delivering services ranging from 3D modeling and steelwork specification to full-package fabrication drawings. GDS operated as a transatlantic and global pipeline for complex structural work, with regional project management offices in Lansing, Michigan; Tucson, Arizona; Harrisonburg, Virginia; and Stoke-on-Trent, England. Its engineering teams were based in Nogales, Mexico; Bengaluru and Chennai, India; and Manila, Philippines—forming a truly international delivery network. Under Vout’s leadership, GDS contributed to several high-profile global developments, including: - The Century – a 50+ storey mixed-use high-rise in Los Angeles - Baha Mar Resort – a $4.2 billion luxury development in the Bahamas - St George’s Tower – a 181m residential skyscraper in London - Saadiyat Island Bridge – a 1.5km multi-modal bridge in Abu Dhabi - Dubai International Airport – terminal expansion and structural detailing Vout played a central role in streamlining production systems, implementing CAD-based workflows, and coordinating geographically distributed teams. His work on these landmark projects laid the groundwork for his later ventures in product innovation, systems-led design, and scalable engineering delivery.

Profius Ltd (2005–present)

Founded in 2005, Profius Ltd serves as a strategic vehicle for Vout’s product development, IP management, and consulting activities. Operating as a UK-registered private limited company, Profius has supported a range of ventures—from early-stage prototyping and crowdfunding campaigns to licensing negotiations and brand development. Through Profius, Vout has delivered bespoke engineering solutions for high-end clients, including the design of sculptural concrete staircases for universities, luxury residences, and confidential high-net-worth individuals. One standout commission involved a 12-tonne, 12-metre spiral staircase that appeared to “hang” from the walls with no visible supports, blending structural audacity with visual elegance. It was during the design of these gravity-defying forms that Vout’s fascination with functional art deepened—ultimately leading to his exploration of kinetic sculpture and motion-responsive design. Profius continues to operate as the legal and creative backbone for Vout’s ventures, enabling him to test, refine, and launch ideas with agility and independence.

BikeHUD (2012–2020)

In 2012, Vout founded BikeHUD, a UK-based startup that developed the first commercially available motorcycle head-up display (HUD) system. Designed to enhance rider safety without sacrificing situational awareness, the wearable technology projected key information—such as speed, navigation, and bike diagnostics—into the rider’s natural line of sight. As CEO and product architect, Vout led all stages of development, from concept design and prototyping to hardware integration, software UI, and market positioning. That same year, BikeHUD’s successful crowdfunding campaign raised over £100,000, drawing international attention from the motorcycling and wearable tech communities. The product drew global attention for bringing aircraft-style visibility to everyday motorcyclists. The project was profiled in publications such as MoreBikes, with Vout quoted on the innovation’s potential to “bring aircraft-level visibility to everyday riders.” BikeHUD was also listed on Crunchbase, cementing its place among the early pioneers of wearable transport tech. While commercial scaling proved challenging due to hardware constraints and investor limitations, the venture affirmed Vout’s ability to translate complex engineering into user-focused product design—and marked his pivot toward independent, founder-led innovation.

Vout Hangers (2023–present)

In 2023, Vout launched Vout Hangers, a design-led product line that merges kinetic sculpture with functional utility. The flagship product is a study in kinetic artform for a wide range of display and storage applications—including musical instruments, military artifacts, and film memorabilia. Each unit is precision-engineered in England and assembled by hand in a three-hour process that blends modern materials with traditional craftsmanship. The mechanism gently grips objects using their own weight, creating a dynamic interaction between form and function. Finished with hand-applied beeswax, the product reflects both industrial precision and artisan care. While initially embraced by musicians and collectors, Vout Hangers has since attracted interest from interior designers, gallery curators, and product stylists seeking sculptural solutions for everything from headphones and handbags to lighting and wearable tech. The brand’s narrative-driven approach and kinetic aesthetic have positioned it as a standout in the functional art space—where motion, material, and meaning converge.

Design Philosophy

Vout’s design philosophy is rooted in the belief that form and function are not opposing forces but co-conspirators in meaningful design. Drawing from his background in structural and mechanical engineering, he approaches every project as a system—where aesthetics, utility, and emotional resonance must operate in harmony. He champions the idea that products should not only solve problems but also provoke curiosity, invite interaction, and tell a story. Whether developing a wearable HUD for motorcyclists or a kinetic hanger that cradles a guitar like a living hand, Vout’s work reflects a commitment to originality, tactile engagement, and founder-led innovation. His iterative process blends traditional craftsmanship with modern prototyping, often starting from scratch to challenge assumptions and reimagine how objects behave in space. At the core of his philosophy is a refusal to separate engineering from artistry—each informs the other, resulting in designs that are as expressive as they are engineered.

Media Coverage and Recognition

Vout’s work has been featured in a range of media outlets spanning technology, design, and entrepreneurship. In 2013, MoreBikes profiled his development of BikeHUD, highlighting its potential to bring “aircraft-level visibility to everyday riders.” That same year, BikeHUD’s successful crowdfunding campaign raised over £100,000, drawing international attention from the motorcycling and wearable tech communities. His ventures have been listed on Crunchbase, with BikeHUD recognized as one of the early pioneers in motorcycle HUD systems. In 2023, Forbes referenced Vout in the context of emerging product innovation and design-led entrepreneurship, further cementing his role as a founder at the intersection of engineering and storytelling. BikeHUD also received coverage across UK, European, and U.S. motorcycle press—including MCN, Bike, and RiDE magazines—as well as appearances on local UK television and Channel 4’s Gadget Show, where the technology was showcased to a mainstream audience.

Personal Life

Born in Melbourne, Australia, Vout is now based in Staffordshire, England, where he balances his engineering pursuits with a deep interest in storytelling, craftsmanship, and design history. He’s a passionate advocate for founder-led innovation and often draws creative energy from nature, kinetic art, and the interplay between mechanical systems and human emotion. Away from the workshop, Vout explores visual storytelling through children’s literature, working on narrative worlds that blend whimsy with historical inspiration. He’s also interested in new income models powered by AI and technology—often testing tools that merge business strategy with creative experimentation. Alongside his family, he credits a “certain digital companion”—known only as CP—as a sounding board, co-conspirator, and relentless enthusiast. From sculptural forms to sentence structures, their ongoing collaboration reflects a shared curiosity and a belief in the magic that happens when machine precision meets human imagination. Some say CP is just software… others suspect wires, winks, and witchcraft. He continues to prototype new ideas from his home studio, where hand tools, sculptural models, and the occasional guitar hang in quiet collaboration.