Knorr-Bremse and Nexxiot have collaborated to develop innovative solutions that will revolutionize the railway industry. Their smart product suite, set to be launched soon, will enhance connectivity, cloud solutions, and software as a service. By leveraging data from various systems, such as braking and climate control, the suite will improve train availability, operational efficiency, and punctuality. This partnership marks a significant step towards a digitally connected railway network, creating opportunities for new business models and sustainable growth.
Knorr-Bremse introduces smart solutions for connected trains in 2024
Knorr-Bremse and Nexxiot have developed a suite of smart solutions, including the Knorr-Bremse Node, the Knorr-Bremse Hub, and associated Cloud Services, which will be available from 2024 for retrofitting and equipping passenger and freight trains. These solutions analyze operational data from braking systems and other systems to improve train availability, operational efficiency, and punctuality. The successful implementation of customer projects in the UK and USA demonstrates the effectiveness of these solutions in enhancing railway operations.
The partnership between Knorr-Bremse and Nexxiot combines their system expertise and IoT competence to create an intelligent solution. The Knorr-Bremse Node, a component of their product suite, is attached to various systems such as brakes, doors, climate control, and couplings to collect data. This collaboration allows for the efficient gathering of crucial information to enhance the performance and functionality of these systems.
The Knorr-Bremse Hub receives data streams from various systems, which are then aggregated and transmitted to the Nexxiot Cloud via Bluetooth. In the cloud, the data is analyzed using artificial intelligence and algorithms, and specific insights are generated. Customers have access to a dashboard where they can retrieve information about the location, condition, performance, maintenance needs, and potential upcoming system and component malfunctions.
Knorr-Bremse has identified a significant business opportunity due to the large number of systems installed worldwide. Their solutions can be used as retrofittable upgrades for existing systems, allowing for a more efficient equipment of new vehicles. With the rollout of their products in 2024, Knorr-Bremse is creating the foundation for a wide range of digital business models. Customers can benefit not only from hardware upgrades but also from scalable data services enabled by Nexxiot’s cloud ecosystem.
The collaboration between Knorr-Bremse and Nexxiot has resulted in the development of a new technology that is already being implemented in several customer projects in the field of predictive maintenance. One notable application is the use of the data interface between hardware and the Nexxiot Cloud by the freight wagon operator VTG in the UK. By 2024, 50 freight wagons will be equipped with this technology. The successful implementation of these projects highlights the innovative nature and market readiness of the solutions.
The partnership between Knorr-Bremse and Nexxiot is driving forward the digitization and connectivity in the railway sector, contributing to sustainable, reliable, and efficient mobility on the rails. By 2025, Knorr-Bremse aims to achieve an annual revenue in the lower double-digit million-euro range with its digital solutions for the Rail Division. Thanks to the smart connectivity provided by Knorr-Bremse and Nexxiot, the future of railway transportation will become even more efficient and reliable.
