Hitachi and Tobu Railway launch next-gen HMAX platform

Hitachi Rail and Tobu Railway are teaming up to introduce the HMAX solution to the Japanese rail industry. HMAX is classified as a next-generation solution that applies digital technologies such as AI to rail maintenance.

This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

HMAX Platform Improves Rail Maintenance and Efficiency

A new strategic partnership was formed between Hitachi and Tobu Railway to use the HMAX platform; this move aims to enhance data-driven maintenance in railways in Japan. The partnership is oriented towards digitalizing fleet management and optimizing on-site maintenance.

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They are utilizing artificial intelligence analytics to increase reliability and reduce the lifecycle costs of the rolling stock. As technology has encouraged digital thinking within this project, it also addresses training and development among employees to counteract potential personnel shortages.

Giuseppe Marino, Group CEO of Hitachi Rail, highlighted that digital innovation has the potential to reshape operational excellence. The HMAX solution combines AI and data analytics to enable reliability and sustainability with improved user experience and asset performance.

HMAX Platform Fuels Japan’s ‘Digital Rail’ vision

The partnership marks continued collaboration between Hitachi and Tobu Railway that has been going on for several decades. In these past decades, Hitachi has been involved in the supply of rolling stock and various onboard electronics projects with Tobu Railway.

Mitsuo Iwasaki, the Hitachi Rail – Japan Business lead, called the collaboration “a significant step towards transforming the maintenance environment in Japan.” He reiterated that Hitachi aims to be “a committed innovation partner” in the process that completes the modernization of the Japanese rail network.

Tobu Railway’s Managing Executive Officer Takao Suzuki stated that HMAX’s platform has been fully supported by Tobu’s sustainability strategy and labor policies. The integration of digital processes will increase efficiency and improve staff engagement.

HMAX was rolled out in 2024 and combines artificial intelligence and machine learning to maximise predictive maintenance and increase the availability of assets and the lifespan of rolling stock. The HMAX solution relies on real-time analysis made possible by computing technology from NVIDIA.

Hitachi Rail has also been the first transport company in the world to adopt the IGX Thor platform from NVIDIA. This helps to enable faster diagnostics and edge computing, as well as autonomous operations that are safe and reliable.

This further cements Hitachi’s position as one of the most innovative companies in the digital railways sector. Together, Hitachi and Tobu Railway are forging forward with the Japanese vision to build a holistic and sustainable rail transport society that is intelligent and powered by digital evolution.

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