SmartRail VeeaHub, an on-board ‘Edge’ Computing and mesh wireless platform for trains, has been launched by Veea Systems, the company delivering business-ready solutions at the network edge. It allows operators to deliver connectivity to both passengers and staff, as well as delivering multimedia entertainment, staff communication and engineering monitoring applications, even when the train has no connection to the internet.

The SmartRail VeeaHub brings together distributed computing, state-of-the-art communications and a virtualized application environment, providing localized mesh network connectivity across all rail carriages. This allows a new class of business, safety and passenger applications to be deployed and operated simultaneously at the Edge without any backhaul connection.

“VeeaHub SmartRail allows train operators to deploy just a few devices per carriage which create a self-managing network, sharing all storage and compute processing power. This delivers improved wireless coverage and a platform for a wide range of exciting services to both improve the passenger experience and make life easier and safer for on-board train staff,” explained Alan E Jones, CEO of Veea Systems.

The VeeaHub SmartRail has been selected by the UK’s Department for Transport (DfT) and Innovate UK to receive grant funding to demonstrate an edge computing solution for use on board trains with the UK ROSCO, Angel Trains. The ongoing joint project, which is part of the wider £3.5 million DfT programme, First of a Kind: Demonstrating Tomorrow’s Trains Today, utilizes the VeeaHub to deliver a wide variety of applications for train operators and passengers.

“Digital technologies are key to providing improved experiences for both passengers and train operators around the globe,” said Euan Smith, Head of Product Management at Angel Trains. “We are proud to be partnered with Veea Systems in developing their technology for the UK rail market, and believe our first deployments of the technology will demonstrate the significant benefits edge computing offers for the rail industry.”

Veea will be demonstrating the new product at InnoTrans 2018 in Berlin at Hall 6.1 Booth 116 along with a range of other vertical-specific market applications.