Technology Focus: How could Augmented Reality change working in rail?
AR can be used in the rail industry to aid in monitoring the condition of components by overlaying information on what is seen through a computing device. The Swiss Federal Railway and Netcetera, a software firm, tested the use of HoloLens for rolling stock maintenance in 2017, demonstrating how an employee can view the interior workings of a rail car with smart glasses. AR can also be used in maintenance applications to help identify the location of components where access is difficult and information about assets can be stored digitally.
Moreover, AR can be utilised in training and development schemes for the rail industry. Siemens has begun to digitalise its training content and is using AR to help trainees practice more complex tasks before they practice in real life.
The technology could also be used at ticket gates, where information about the ticket a passenger has purchased could be accessed by Revenue Protection Officers through a device, catching out fare evaders.
AR can provide a personalised passenger experience, in line with the RTS. Ixigo, a travel search engine in India, has recently launched an AR feature on its mobile application for train passengers. The feature makes use of Apple’s ARKit and provides passengers with overlaying information showing where their coach is and how far they are from it.
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