Virtual-reality railcar maintenance: Keolis

Keolis Commuter Services, contract operator of Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) regional/commuter trains, is testing specialized virtual reality glasses for maintaining cars and locomotives.

The glasses, developed by Cambridge-based AMA XpertEye, are being used by field maintenance personnel to transfer live video and other information to senior technicians located the main maintenance facility. The glasses provide screen captures and image annotation, with the encrypted data transmitted via the Internet, allowing Keolis maintenance staff “to more quickly and efficiently diagnose issues, reducing repair times on equipment in remote locations, minimizing service impacts, improving overall system reliability and reducing maintenance costs across the network” Keolis said.

If the trial proves successful, Keolis will look at distributing the glasses widely throughout its Boston operation with an eye toward expanding their use at other operations in North America and around the world. The trial “is the latest in a series of recent Keolis initiatives to harness leading-edge technology to benefit passengers and clients,” Keolis said. The company recently launched PlanBookTicket, among the first public transportation information systems providing “a fully digital journey.”

Earlier this year, Keolis Boston field employees who interface with customers received 400 hand-held devices with an internal app designed by Keolis that provides real-time status reports. “This has enabled Keolis conductors to provide passengers with useful and accurate information in a timely manner, helping to improve the journey experience,” Keolis said.