The team will customise condition-monitoring systems to monitor traction motors, brakes, pneumatic systems and gearboxes as a testbed for a proof-of-concept which will in turn allow engineers from both companies to validate the performance of an end-to-end condition-monitoring platform. It is planned to equip the first SMRT train with condition-monitoring sensors and high-speed loggers by late 2018.

 

This technology is already used on Formula 1 racing cars. During the 21 races of a typical Grand Prix season, the McLaren race team captures more than 12 billion real-time data points from over 300 sensors embedded in its two racing cars. The sensors and loggers are small, lightweight, and robust, and the data captured allows the team to monitor in real-time, perform detailed analysis and make informed decisions to optimise on-track performance.

“In Singapore, SMRT has been pioneering the development of rail condition-monitoring sensors to minimise disruption of our commuter service, optimising train performance by detecting and rectifying emerging defects early,” says Mr Desmond Kuek, SMRT president and group CEO. “We look forward to collaborating with McLaren Applied Technologies to elevate this capability further.”