Creating a complete ecosystem for connected rolling stock is not without its challenges. However, by using an increasingly popular and proven model known as co-creation, Passengera, Advantech and Intel have come up with a fully scalable solution that not only enhances the passenger experience, but also provides genuine monetization opportunities. The Passengera platform, hosted on a rail-compliant Advantech server featuring latest-generation Intel processor technology, is bringing connected, digital multimedia solutions to the world’s rail network

Among the increasing number of takers in Europe is České dráhy, the Czech Republic’s major rail operator. Like many of its peers, České dráhy aims to become a leading 21st century rail operator and get ahead of the competition. The Czech Republic has a very competitive passenger rail market, as many of its lines cross borders with neighboring countries.

České dráhy knows it has to offer a high-quality experience in order to attract and retain passengers. For this reason, the company eventually choose the solution by Passengera thanks to its co-creation approach.

Today, Passengera is a complete integrated platform solution and service provider with its eco-partners Advantech and Intel. The eco-partner model works because making the transition to smart trains demands many different technologies, typically too many for a single vendor. In contrast, leveraging the competencies of different but complementary technology suppliers provides the basis for project success across a range of metrics, including quality, time-to-market and cost efficiency.

To succeed in a highly competitive market, Passengera, Advantech and Intel have developed a modular software and hardware platform offering multiple digital services from which rail operators can choose. This modularity allows the co-creation team to meet evolving customer needs with a single platform, rather than undertaking a specific development for every project. This solution also enables a quicker implementation and allows operators to enhance their passengers' experience more rapidly.

Suitable for companies at different growth stages, the solution-ready packages comprise a wide variety of modules within one unique, centralized system that allows rail companies to benefit from the latest innovations in technology, stay competitive in the market and keep administration simple.

The solution modules can be categorized into five groups: connectivity and application hosting; information and engagement; monetisation channels; operation and security; and monitoring and management. Each category consists of different modules from which rail operators can choose. For instance, with regard to connectivity and application hosting, modules include Wi-Fi, vehicle-to-ground 5G connectivity, user’s AAA, application hosting and communication infrastructure. Here, rugged hardware platforms integrate easily with existing systems and offer secure on-board app hosting.

Similarly, information and engagement platforms host a variety of modules ranging from next-generation dynamic PIS (passenger information systems), through to turnkey Infotainment solutions with movies, news, games, travel guides, and e-commerce options set up for both BYOD (bring your own device) and on-screen deployment

Clearly, there are a lot of technologies for a single vendor to provide, which is why Passengera, Advantech and Intel elect to co-create on projects of this nature.

Once the team begins to liaise with rail operators and understand their pain points, it becomes apparent which technologies should be implemented. The co-creation partners understand the functions required to enhance the passenger experience, providing the necessary environment to build IoT applications and launch proof-of-concept products, often in a few weeks, so the rail operator can quickly assess the application’s suitability.

By pre-configuring and bundling hardware, software and content, the customer can run the application very quickly to reach a decision on whether to monetise the infrastructure. Advantech calls it a solution-ready package that comprises computing, software apps and base functionality to enable easy configuration. Ultimately it becomes possible to scale up these applications on a global scale very fast.

The availability of a $50 million co-creation fund from Advantech is helping digital industry innovators to accelerate their efforts. In short, the idea is to invest in innovative start-ups and scale-ups, subsequently implementing their applications into Advantech’s hardware and software platforms. The start-ups can better concentrate on their app and reach product launch quickly.

The co-creation team only wants to provide the market with high-quality solutions, an ambition achieved far more easily in a partner ecosystem model than working alone, due largely to the wide variety of technologies and competencies required.

For instance, the common denominator between all of the solutions is the data and, more specifically, the exchange of data. The connected rolling stock ecosystem platform ensures efficient and smooth communication and data exchange between the different systems to provide complete reliability.

Intelligent solution

For České dráhy, for example, the co-creation team built a transportation connectivity and multimedia solution consisting of off-the-shelf products. The intelligent bundle integrates connectivity, passenger information system and infotainment, with centralized monitoring and management suite hosted on a private cloud platform. This solution-ready package provides fleet management, content management, vehicle networking statistics and usage analytics, and is customisable for the security policies and interests of individual operators.

Again it comes back to the co-creation ecosystem for connected rolling stock. Although traditional solutions work, the digitalisation of rail infrastructure is bringing new players and solutions that demand rapid testing and adoption, which introduces a degree of risk. In contrast, a proven co-creation model with a proof of concept approach across the entire ecosystem, makes it possible to accelerate innovation and subsequent monetisation. It is time to explore the possibilities together.

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