The use of high-tech sensing technology in cars has boosted safety and reduced the likelihood of human errors leading to catastrophic consequences.
But the benefits of these technologies have so far not been applied to trains, where the potential for devastating accidents as the result of small mistakes or lapses of judgement is high.
This is because the sensing technology used in autonomous cars are not easily adaptable to trains; cars must stay between lines and can move freely between them, but trains need to stay on the one line.
This is compounded by the fact that lots of other things can look a lot like rails when travelling at speech, such as fences.
Without this extra layer of protection, a lot of pressure is placed on train drivers to be highly alert and detect potential hazards, at all times and in all weather conditions.
Now, Newcastle-based tech firm 4AI Systems has developed a software solution utilising a range of sensors and technologies to improve the safety and efficiency of trains around the world.
4AI Systems has developed an AI-powered vision perception system called HORUS, which can detect hazards and signals to improve the safe and efficient operation of all types of trains.
“Most people assume that the authorities have mitigated all the dangerous risks,” 4AI Systems chief executive Joanne Wust said.
“Occasionally, systemic failures cause serious accidents that can result in injuries and deaths. Our solution is designed to provide that extra layer of safety by delivering better quality and more timely situational information.
“Our vision is to actively work towards a future where our AI technology is available across rail networks around the world.”
HORUS has been specifically designed for trains, and uses data collected from cameras, navigation systems, accelerometers and radar to create a real-time situational picture.
This platform can continuously undertake risk assessments and detect hazards in real-time, without any chance of it getting tired or bored, and in any weather.
4AI Systems is a finalist in the InnovationAus 2025 Awards for Excellence in the AI Technology and Software Innovation categories. The InnovationAus 2025 Awards for Excellence winners and finalists will be celebrated at a black-tie gala dinner at Sydney Town Hall on Thursday, November 27. You can book your tickets here.
The AI Technology Award is proudly sponsored by the National Artificial Intelligence Centre. The award celebrates companies developing novel tools, technology or methodologies that are helping Australia build sovereign capability in AI. It is focused on AI that isn’t just for the sake of AI, but that impacts, inspires and makes people’s lives better.
The Software Innovation Award is for products that are making a major impact in FinTech, AI, machine learning, edge computing or other vertices and contributing significantly to industry and the broader community.
The nomination helps to showcase 4AI Systems’s “emerging success story”, Ms Wust said, along with its overall aim to boost safety.
“Our technology will impact the rail industry and society because all modes of rail can use our system,” she said.
“Operations will be safer because our technology addresses many risks that currently only have administrative rules for safety controls, while our technology allows engineering controls.”
4AI Systems was founded in 2021 as a subsidiary of 4Tel. Five years earlier, the company began sponsoring research projects at the University of Newcastle’s Robotics Laboratory, with the first trial of its systems taking place in 2020.
In 2022, the company was selected from thousands of entries to be one of five to demonstrate its work on a New York Metro Transit Authority subway car as part of the New York Transit Tech Lab’s annual competition.
It is also conducting a trial with Pacific National’s Queensland trains, with its technology ensuring a train does not go over the permitted speed or any other known limits.
The company has secured a Commonwealth Innovation Connections Grant for its research, along with an Export Market Development Grant.
The 2025 InnovationAus Awards for Excellence will be held on November 27 at the magnificent Sydney Town Hall. You can secure individual seats or book a table here. Purchase a table of 10 and have your logo displayed on screens across the venue and in the event programme as a ‘Table Sponsor’.
The InnovationAus 2025 Awards for Excellence are proudly supported by ACS, PEXA Group, the CSIRO ON Program, Griffith Hack, TechnologyOne, Q-CTRL, National AI Centre, University of New South Wales, KPMG, AgriFutures Australia, Investment NSW and IP Australia.
Protecting your great ideas with intellectual property (IP) rights can lead to lasting benefits for your growing business. IP refers to creations of the mind, such as a brand, logo, invention, design or artistic work. Head to the IP Australia website to find out more about IP, and how it might help your business.
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