Innovation Platform will inspire visitors with the inventiveness and ingenuity in rail. This exhibition highlights emerging ideas and extraordinary achievements from across the rail industry.
Showcasing the latest and greatest in rail innovation, Innovation Platform celebrates the creative by focusing not only on the technology itself, but by giving just as much attention to the context in which objects were developed.
Through imaginative problem-solving and original thinking, the railways are progressing, armed with technologies designed to improve all aspects of the industry. The Innovation Platform will show the very best of these to those who will feel their benefit most greatly—you!
To explore the breadth of these developments, we’re giving you, our visitors, a look at the latest technology over two years, split into four thematic seasons. Starting in January with Autonomous Technology.
AUTONOMOUS TECHNOLOGY
In this theme we explore objects that function independently, executing tasks without having to be controlled by humans. Devices designed to think and act like humans will soon have a dramatic impact on our railways.
Prometheus Drone:
Watch the video above to find out about the Prometheus drone, which recently joined the exhibition.
Inspired by technology used in Ridley Scott's 2012 film Prometheus, this small aircraft has folding arms so it can be lowered into very tight spaces under railways, which need regular inspections to ensure the ground is stable in areas previously used for coal mining.
The Prometheus drone takes away the need for people covered in PPE to do the inspections and provides a safe alternative that doesn’t put people at risk of falls, structural collapse, hazardous gases, fire and explosions.
WHAT THEMES ARE WE EXPLORING?
Autonomous Technology: January–June 2023
Decarbonisation: July–December 2023
Smart Cities: January–June 2024
Communities: July–December 2024
