Hitachi and Nvidia Join Development of AI Systems for Railways
Quoted from Nikkei AsiaThursday (26/9), the new system, dubbed Hyper Mobility Asset Expert (HMAX), was launched at InnoTrans, the world’s largest railway technology exhibition, which opened in Berlin on Tuesday local time.
Data about the condition of the tracks, power lines and signals is collected from sensors, cameras and other equipment installed on the trains. The information collected is analyzed on the train itself using Nvidia’s artificial intelligence chip.
By processing relevant data to the control center, all problems can be resolved quickly. The press release said that it previously took up to 10 days to process data on repair and maintenance sites.
The HMAX system can obtain data such as how rail and overhead cables are affected by weather and temperature. In addition to finding omissions, this system can reduce the frequency of replacement parts by more accurately determining when components need to be replaced.
Previously, HMAX had been introduced on several train lines in England and Italy as a trial.
In trials, the number of components replaced during routine repairs was reduced by 30 percent, and vehicle maintenance costs were reduced by 15 percent.
A Hitachi representative said that by working with Nvidia, the company was able to quickly improve the HMAX and provide feedback.
Hitachi’s German rival Siemens has also partnered with Nvidia to develop AI-based services that reduce repair costs for rail vehicles.
At InnoTrans, Siemens announced a new platform that can simplify complex railway operations and accommodate increasing passenger numbers.