Artificial Intelligence (AI) is bringing numerous advantages to the rail industry through automated trains, passenger safety, and predictive maintenance algorithms.
The integration of Edge AI, combining edge computing with AI, has made it possible to implement AI on a much larger scale in the rail sector. This is achieved by employing machine learning algorithms that are situated and stored locally, eliminating the need for constant reliance on cloud communication.
Here are four benefits of Edge AI:
Speed: Edge AI enables rail companies to handle large volumes of data at the network edge, near where the data originates. By enabling devices to make rapid decisions without the need for data transfer to or from the cloud, latency is minimised, and real-time decision-making becomes possible.
Savings: By leveraging Edge AI, train schedules and routes can be optimised, resulting in cost reduction and enhanced efficiency. Through real-time analysis of data such as train location, speed, and passenger load, Edge AI enables improved train scheduling, leading to reduced energy consumption, a real cost-saving for this sector.
Smart: Edge AI enables cloud-based networks to acquire knowledge whenever it encounters questions or tasks beyond its current capabilities. This approach ensures continuous learning when necessary. As a result, AI for predictive maintenance becomes highly capable on a large scale. While predictive formulas can be hosted at the edge, the AI’s ongoing learning process enables it to constantly improve and become more intelligent over time.
Secure: Cyber-attacks are an ongoing challenge in the rail sector and pose a significant risk to public safety. Through analysing real-world information, Edge AI stores confidential data locally without uploading to the cloud, offering railway operations more security and privacy of data. Additionally, Edge AI can be deployed to detect and prevent unauthorised objects, such as weapons or explosives, alerting security personnel to take appropriate action.
Considering the integration of Edge AI technology? Selecting the appropriate platform is crucial for optimal performance within a rail environment.
Backplane Technology Systems, an Australian-owned company, has been a trusted provider of industrial computing systems to Australian rail companies and is an exclusive supplier of the Neousys Edge AI GPU (Graphics Processing Units).
Backplane chief executive Kristy Comb said the line-up of Neousys-embedded Edge AI GPU platforms was powered by NVIDIA GPUs and have been designed to work in challenging industrial environments.
“Importantly, the Neousys’ VTC and SEMIL series have rail certification, meaning they meet the EN50155 standard – a standard which dictates the operation, design, construction and testing of electronic equipment used on rail vehicles and in railway applications.”
Benefits of Neousys EN50155 railway certified fanless in-vehicle computers:
- Tested in harsh environments to ensure reliability and performance.
- Can withstand environmental disturbances such as vibration, shock, and extreme temperature.
- Wide-temperature capabilities ranging from -40℃ to 70℃ while functioning under 100 per cent CPU load.
- Offers Gigabit PoE+ ports with M12 X-coded connectors to guarantee signal integrity and secured Ethernet connection.
- The system has integrated CAN bus 2.0 and isolated digital I/O to interact with in-vehicle devices.
- The SIM slot offer 3G/ 4G capability and mini-PCIe expansion slots offer WIFI communication versatility, GPS module or other expansion needs.
Interested to learn more about Edge AI and its involvement in the rail sector? Download the free white paper ‘Harnessing the benefits of Edge AI in rail’.
Interested in exploring the possibilities of Edge AI? Backplane Systems technologies, an independent, Australian-owned, and operated business, has been advising and helping Australian industrial businesses with railway technology solutions for more than 30 years. Visit Backplane Systems Technologies today: https://www.backplane.com.au/contact-us/
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