The company is contributing its InVITALRAIL secure IoT hardware platform for rail transport to the project. This platform allows for the integration of all types of onboard devices, as well as those deployed within the infrastructure. The goal is to develop V2X (vehicle-to-everything) wireless communications, moving towards a secure, intelligent platform that integrates data from various monitoring and control elements (such as sensors and actuators). Based on this data, the company will develop multiple innovative applications that enable the deployment of new rail services, reducing investment requirements and operating costs. Furthermore, this will improve interoperability with other modes of transport.
These solutions will offer railway lines where no existing network infrastructure exists or where its implementation is difficult, a viable, low-cost system compatible with existing systems that can eliminate potential safety deficiencies in critical areas such as level crossings, road crossings, or work zones without the need for traditional cabling systems. They will also enable interoperability with connected and autonomous vehicles, which can be notified, for example, of an approaching train at a crossing; and will facilitate rolling stock logistics, freight tracking, and other related tasks.
Wireless vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication, vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I/I2V) communication and WSN (Wireless Sensor Networks) sensors are other technologies used in the project.
Through the wireless link, the trains will be able to exchange information about their composition, position, power, vehicle mass, and length; and establish a control hierarchy so that one train can issue commands to the other trains in the virtual train and communicate efficiently with its surroundings, improving the prediction of potential incidents along the track. This will allow, among other improvements, the movement of the coupled trainset without actually establishing a physical connection between them and will provide an infrastructure for future automation services on the train.
Indra also participates in the definition and development of multimodal cloud-based systems and services to combine rail transport information, via the described autonomous wireless network, with road traffic information from connected vehicles for use in terminals, stations, etc., in order to improve transport efficiency and the traveler experience.
The new solutions developed are compatible with existing railway infrastructure, which facilitates their adoption. Furthermore, to streamline the deployment of IoT devices and associated services, reducing time, cost, and potential errors, Indra is working on the use of DevOps methodology within the framework of the European R&D&I project ENACT, under the European innovation program H2020.
DevOps is a set of software engineering tools and best practices that ensure the highest quality and promote the continuous development of complex systems by fostering agility, rapid innovation cycles, and ease of use, thanks to the ability to run simulations before actual deployment. This methodology has been widely adopted in the software industry; however, comprehensive DevOps support for intelligent and reliable IoT systems is still lacking.
