InnoTrans 2018: Syslogic Launches AI Rail Computer

Just in time for the railway fair InnoTrans in Berlin at the end of September Syslogic is presenting its AI (Artificial Intelligence) Rail Computer. Syslogic is one of the leading companies manufacturing industrial computers for use in trains. With the AI Rail Computer, Syslogic is picking up a trend that will revolutionize the railway industry.

Artificial intelligence reduces costs and increases safety
Currently, people are talking a lot about self-driving cars. But everyone easily forgets that autonomous driving by rail is much easier to implement than on the road. Self-driving trains are already in use today, but often on limited networks. In the future, self-driving trains could also be implemented on complex railway networks. The simple fact that trains run on rails reduces the environmental influences and choices that must be made in it. Besides the obvious key goal of self-driving trains, there are several sub-applications in which AI and its associated disciplines of deep learning and machine learning can make an important contribution. In conjunction with a real-time tracking system, data can not only be collected in real time but, more importantly, can also be processed with low latency. This is extremely beneficial, for example, for automatic acceleration and braking system.

The new capabilities will ensure that increasingly more technology will be housed in railway vehicles, facilitating a much more seamless route infrastructure than before. This leads simultaneously to increased safety and reduced costs for operation and maintenance. Ultimately, AI can be used to operate a train as energy-efficiently and gently as possible. Another benefit of AI and deep learning in trains is that the system will learn from mistakes and constantly improve itself. It will also create relationships that were previously difficult to comprehend.

Syslogic sees great potential for AI and deep learning in the railway industry
Syslogic is one of the leading companies in embedded systems for use in trains. The robust, durable and long-lasting industrial computers are used as rail control computers, data loggers, IoT gateways, and in PIS computers (passenger information system). Syslogic works with well-known railway companies. AI offers enormous potential for both vehicle manufacturers and railway operators. Accordingly, Syslogic and its partners have invested their efforts in developing an AI railway computer. At the railway fair InnoTrans in Berlin, this new product will be presented to the public for the first time.

Nividia GPU as deep learning rail computer platform
Syslogic uses a Jetson TX2 module by Nvidia as the basis for the AI Rail Computer. This module features an economical but powerful quad-core processor platform. The core of the Jetson TX2 is the ARM SoC Tegra X2 named Parker. It combines two computation modules with Nvidia’s proprietary Denver 2 microarchitecture with four Cortex-A57 cores and a Pascal GPU. The latter has 256 shader cores. This enables the rail computer to use artificial intelligence in real time. The innovative processor technology combines Syslogic with the proven features of existing railway computers. For example, the AI Rail Computer is passively cooled, has a robust housing and screw-on M12 connectors. Thus, the AI Rail Computer complies with railway standard EN50155, class OT4, as well as fire protection standard EN45545. Furthermore, the railway computer has a galvanically isolated nominal power supply of 24 to 110VDC.

Besides performance and robustness, Syslogic is also focusing on easy commissioning of the AI Embedded Computer. Therefore, the devices are delivered with a preinstalled Ubuntu Board Support Package. Additionally, a complete developer environment including CUDA libraries is installed. The Nvidia software development kit JetPack including a deep learning framework for easy implementation of applications are available for a quick introduction to the AI world. For system connection, the AI computer features a flexible interface layout and WiFi, GPS and LTE functions can be added.

Syslogic is currently providing their AI hardware platform as prototypes. The first few applications will soon be tackled with existing railway transportation customers. Florian Egger, Head of Sales at Syslogic, says: “We are convinced that with the AI Railway Computer we will be able to contribute to the future of railway transportation.” He further claims that Syslogic is already working with a software partner on developing a deep learning solution. Moreover, the Syslogic hardware engineers are already working on an AI box PC with the new Nvidia Xavier platform.