Hitachi Rail has achieved a significant milestone in the realm of urban transportation with its innovative Autonomous Tram AI Technologies. This groundbreaking technology has earned the company the coveted “ERCI Innovation Award 2024” for “Best Large Enterprise,” recognizing its potential to revolutionize tram operations worldwide.
The Autonomous Tram AI Technologies, developed through extensive research and testing, is designed to operate without human intervention. It boasts a meticulously developed algorithm that enables autonomous operation with minimal reliance on trackside equipment. This makes it an ideal solution for modern urban environments where trams are a common mode of transport.
At the heart of this innovative system lies a sophisticated blend of artificial intelligence and groundbreaking positioning and obstacle detection capabilities. The ERCI Award specifically commended the system’s pioneering Next-Generation Autonomous Positioning System (NGAP) and its Obstacle Detection and Tracking System (ODT).
The NGAP, a novel innovation, ensures precise localization of the tram on its track with an accuracy of within one meter. This precision is achieved through sophisticated sensor fusion algorithms that utilize data from inertial measurement units (IMU), radar, and global navigation satellite systems (GNSS). Complementing this, the ODT system incorporates a combination of radar, lidar, and camera sensors, all integrated with AI, to accurately detect, classify, and track any obstacles, significantly enhancing the safety of tram operations.
These autonomous functionalities are managed by Hitachi Rail’s railway-certified high-performance computers and are complemented by real-time 5G remote monitoring through the company’s cloud infrastructure. Developed as part of the Hitachi Rail Global Innovation initiative, this autonomous tram system represents a convergence of core technologies from various global sites, including Europe and Canada. This initiative extends to all forms of rail transport, including main lines and metros.
The development of this technology was a collaborative effort involving research teams from the University of Florence, University of Siena, and the Polytechnic of Milan, resulting in a robust and pioneering solution that could fundamentally alter tram operations worldwide.
Carlo Piacenza, Head of Hitachi Rail GTS Italia, expressed his pride in winning the award, highlighting the competitive nature of the ERCI competition with 18 different European railway clusters vying for the top prize. He emphasized the transformative potential of AI in creating autonomous tram operations with unparalleled levels of precision and safety. This solution, he stated, will help transform urban transport, delivering more seamless and sustainable journeys for passengers in cities around the world.
Prior to its ERCI recognition, this innovative solution had already won the “10th DITECFER Railway Innovation Contest” in Italy, demonstrating its early success and potential. The ERCI European Jury, comprised of academic and industrial experts from various nations, bestowed the “Best Large Enterprise” award upon the Hitachi Rail team at InnoTrans, the prominent global railway conference hosted in Berlin. This award is a testament to the company’s commitment to innovation and its vision for the future of urban transportation.
