UK: Hitachi Rail Commercialises New AI Rail Maintenance Technology

Hitachi Rail, alongside partners Connected Places Catapult, have announced the commercialisation of a new AI rail maintenance technology, following its official unveiling at InnoTrans 2024 in Berlin.

First convened by Connected Places Catapult, Hitachi Rail, LNER and Network Rail in 2021; the technology offers real-time infrastructure monitoring and predictive maintenance along UK railway lines.

The solution utilises machine-learning capable train-mounted cameras in order to monitor overhead lines and identify potential faults to Hitachi Rail’s asset monitoring platform, HMAX, recently completed a six-month trial on the East Coast Main Line,

Ben Earle, IM and Digital Services Manager at Hitachi Rail, said:, said:

The UK’s railway ecosystem had an important part to play in the development of this technology, which is now available to infrastructure operators worldwide. By working with Connected Places Catapult, we were able to collaborate with industry and successfully test this product in a real-world environment.

The new solution recently completed a successful six-month trial along the East Coast Main Line in the UK.

Erika Lewis, Chief Executive of Connected Places Catapult, said:, said:

The UK is a hotbed of innovation partnerships and the perfect place for companies of all sizes to trial new technology as we seek to make our infrastructure greener, safer and more reliable. I’m proud that Connected Places Catapult has been able to play a role by convening the market to support the development of this technology.

We look forward to welcoming industry leaders to the Connected Places Summit in March and working with Hitachi as strategic partners to put cutting edge innovation at the centre of the conversation.