Israeli Startup Odysight Develops AI-Based Railway Monitoring System

The monitoring system developed by Israeli startup Odysight is a global innovation that represents a technological breakthrough in railway infrastructure. As part of the pilot, artificial intelligence-based monitoring systems will be installed on railway switches, providing predictive maintenance to prevent malfunctions, enhance safety, and improve the reliability and efficiency of the train.

The system has sparked significant interest among leading railway companies worldwide, positioning Israel as a global leader in railway safety systems.

Railway switches are a critical electro-mechanical component in railway infrastructure, responsible for routing trains to their tracks. The new system is the result of a collaboration between the Innovation Department and the Signaling and Communication Division of Israel Railways, and the Israeli company Odysight.

The system analyzes real-time data from cameras and advanced sensing systems monitoring the switch status. An innovative algorithm based on artificial intelligence analyzes the data and identifies abnormal patterns, thus able to alert a potential malfunction and allow preventive treatment before an actual malfunction occurs.

In addition, the system identifies mechanical and electronic problems in real time, thereby reducing the risk of safety incidents; it also enables smart management of the switches for accuracy in timetables and improved service to passengers.

In the coming months, the system will begin operating as a pilot on several railway lines, and will later be expanded to all railway infrastructures in Israel.

Transportation Minister Miri Regev said: "The revolutionary pilot with Israel Railways contributes to all the values we promote here in the Ministry of Transportation: innovation, safety, and mass transit systems. This is a global breakthrough that will contribute to the development of a railway network that will connect Israel from north to south and from east to west in the next decade, as part of the 'Connecting Israel' plan, of which the railway is the backbone."

The CEO of the Ministry of Transportation and Road Safety, Moshe Ben Zaken, said: "We congratulate Israel Railways and Odysight on the launch of the pilot, which we intend to expand in the future to the entire national railway network. The Ministry of Transportation supports Israeli innovation and invests in projects in all areas of transportation, with the aim of maintaining Israel's leading position in the development of vehicle and traffic technologies."