Indian Railways Turns to AI to Spot Wheel Defects and Protect Wildlife
RDSO showcases AI initiatives at Hyderabad conference to enhance railway safety, including wheel defect detection and elephant fatality prevention.
The Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) has introduced a suite of artificial intelligence-driven initiatives aimed at strengthening safety across Indian Railways. The announcements were made during the recent AI Technology Transformation Conference held in Hyderabad.
Among the key applications, AI systems are being deployed to detect defects in train wheels, a move expected to reduce the risk of accidents caused by equipment failure. The technology is designed to identify anomalies early, allowing for timely maintenance and intervention.
In a separate wildlife protection effort, the railways are leveraging AI to prevent elephant fatalities on tracks. The system is intended to alert authorities to the presence of elephants near railway lines, enabling measures to avoid collisions.
These initiatives form part of a broader push to integrate artificial intelligence into railway operations, covering tracks, trains, and station infrastructure. By embedding smart monitoring at multiple levels, the organisation aims to enhance both operational efficiency and passenger safety.
The conference served as a platform for RDSO to highlight how emerging technologies are being adapted to address long-standing challenges in one of the world's largest railway networks.