Internationale Partnersuche

Innovation & Technologie Angebot

Complete simulators of locomotives for train drivers training offered under commercial agreement with technical assistance

Country of Origin: Poland
Reference Number: TOPL20171004001
Publication Date: 6 October 2017

Summary

Polish company specialised in the production of virtual training systems has developed and is offering simulator of a locomotive that can be used to train and test prospective train drivers and improve skills of the current ones. The offered technology consists of: trainer station, trainee stations with screens, genuine driver's console and seat, dedicated software and sound system. Commercial agreement with technical assistance is offered to partners from the Middle East and North Africa.

Description

A company from the North West Poland was established in 2007 by scientists from one of the local universities. They've been producing virtual training systems, mostly for military purposes: simulators of a battlefield, of a navigation bridge and of various weapon systems. The firm has fully integrated, highly internalised production process: they design products, create a software, assemble necessary hardware, deliver and instal them, train clients how to use their products.



Training of an train driver is a costly and time-consuming process. Traditionally, after passing medical exams and presenting basic engineering knowledge, a candidate participates in theory classes with the licensing test at the end of the course. Then a person rides with an experienced train driver and observers their work. Only after that, he is allowed to control a train, under a supervision of an experienced train driver. So, the first time a trainee has to drive a locomotive, has contact with and manages all the levers, buttons, meters etc. is in a live environment where his inexperience, confusion and mistakes may have dire consequences for real people and valuable equipment,



The firm has developed and is offering a solution that will improve this flawed training process - a locomotive simulator, the solution similar to the one used in pilot training. The offered system consists of:

- trainer station (to fully control a simulation);

- trainee station(s) with driver's console, seat and screens;

- dedicated software;

- sound system.

The offered system recreates the experience of a real train driver: views from a cabin, movement of a seat, sounds of the surrounding. To make it even more realistic, genuine elements of a driver's cabin are installed and real railway routes are projected (with all the nearby infrastructure and environment). From his station, a trainer can: programme wide range scenarios/breakdowns (including of a locomotive or of any car), monitor and record behaviour of trainees and communicate with them. The offered technology can be used: to train and test candidates; to prepare current train drivers for unusual situations (once in the lifetime emergencies), to conduct a research.



The firm would like to see their technology introduced by railway companies, locomotive producers and other entities providing training/testing for train drivers. Therefore they are offering commercial agreement with technical assistance to partners from the Middle East and North Africa. A partner is expected to order the technology and assist the company in adapting it to local specificity (construction of cabins/console, railway routes in the region, etc.). In turn, the firm will adjust the technology, deliver and install it, and train partner in using it.

Advantages and Innovations

The offered technology should be considered innovative because it introduces a new element (virtual reality) to the training of train drivers: something between theory/observing others driving a train and doing it on one's own. It gives real experience/contact with the equipment and allows teaching the craft in the environment that is safe for trainee, trainer and their surrounding (including other people and valuable machinery), whereas in the traditional model there is no such gradual transition between theory and practice.

Other advantages of the technology are:

- one trainer can teach multiple candidates;

- number of stations can be increased at any time;

- a trainer can fully control the simulation, what allows him to present and prepare candidates for specific situations (failures/emergencies);

- the behaviour/reactions of each prospective train driver can be recorded and then critically examined;

- trainees work on real consols and have contact with real rail routes from their country/region.

Stage Of Development

Already on the market

Requested partner

Type of partner sought: railway companies, locomotive producers and other entities (public or private) providing training/testing for train drivers.

Role of partner sought: a partner is expected to order offered technology, help it adjust to local requirements and to participate in a training on how to use the technology.

Dissemination Countries

Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Qatar, Tunisia, Turkey