Dutch Intermodal Telematics offers digital solutions to Hitachi

Intermodal Telematics (IMT), a Netherlands based telematics company, entered a long-term agreement with Hitachi Rail. Their partnership will focus on developing digital solutions for rail freight in Europe and North America.

IMT is a leading company in the field of telematics, having pioneered in the development of digital monitoring sensors for railcars and wagons. With this partnership, Hitachi Rail aims to provide “fully-fledged telematics solutions that improve reliability and performance for the freight market.” This commitment comes in a year when supply chain disruptions will continue just like last year,” said Hitachi Rail.

Merging different knowledge channels

A few months ago, Hitachi Rail acquired the UK-based technology company Perpetuum which also produces wireless sensors that detect faults while trains move. In addition to these services, IMT will bring its own sensors “that verify the exact location of the cars, the loading status, the open/close condition of doors and hatches, the temperature and pressure of the cargo and the health condition of bogies and wheelsets. The collected data is sent to the Cloud via a solar-powered GPS device, allowing the real-time monitoring of the train and cargo condition,” explained Hitachi.

“Hitachi Rail focuses on growing its digital offer to develop data-driven solutions to meet our customer’s complex challenges,” commented Edoardo La Ficara, COO for operation, service and maintenance at Hitachi Rail. Real-time monitoring is the key in this case. Hitachi has the needed assets through Perpetuum to follow possible equipment disruptions during train trips. However, with the cloud solution provided by IMT, and the instant sharing of data, Hitachi aims for a more complete and competitive digital solution. “This solution will enable operators and maintainers to be aware of vehicles’ position and status at all times. This will provide a radical evolution for the freight industry, whose railcars are overwhelmingly without any telematics or monitoring whatsoever,” concluded La Ficara.

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