Transport for Wales in partnership with Alt Labs has developed an innovation accelerator programme, Lab by TfW, to improve safety, performance, and customers’ experiences on the railway.

The programme was launched in July 2020, and three successful 11-week programmes were held virtually throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lab by TfW is now set to host its first in-person technology industry event on Thursday, 26th May from 5.3 0 pm at one of Cardiff’s most innovative spaces, The Depot.

At the free event, tech companies will showcase their ideas directly to senior TfW innovation managers and industry leaders.

Cohort 4 – start-ups:

• Porter Travel is a digital travel companion which is designed to make travel effortless by connecting its members to their well-matched travel options.
• Cufflink makes businesses more secure and compliant, so they’ll always know exactly who’s accessing their data, from where, and for what reason.
• Clickflow is a technology company that helps organisations make more informed decisions through the deployment of business intelligence solutions.

Cohort 3 Alumni:

• RoboK builds AI-based computer vision solutions to enhance safety in transportation.
• Qubopt offers a low-code machine learning platform that allows domain experts to deploy digital twins, test hypotheses and optimise outcomes at speed.
• Jnction is developing a multi-modal journey planner and passenger assistant app which aims to minimise stress for passengers with Autism and Hidden Disabilities, when using public transport.
• Utility AR works with innovators in industrial sectors to unlock the potential of Augmented Reality applications.

Cohort 2 Alumni:

• Spatial Cortex produces a wearable bio-mechanical monitoring system.
• Route Konnect provides Tracking & Counting technology that can capture pedestrian and passenger movement.

Cohort 1 Alumni:

• Briteyellow Limited is an indoor mapping, wayfinding, and asset management solution to help transport operators create intelligent space.
• PassageWay transforms connected totems, kiosks, and screens into real-time transport and digital wayfinding signs.

Tickets for the event can be booked here

Imran Anwar, CEO of Alt Labs, said: “The Demo Day is a huge milestone for TFW Lab where we get to showcase 10 innovative startups who have a viable solution to some of the challenges in an ever-changing Rail sector.

“The products and services these startups have worked on within the Lab since Cohort 1 will inevitably go on to improve the passenger experiences and support the different departments at TFW.

“Through the 4-innovation programmes, the start-ups have had direct access to data, subject matter experts, stations, trains, and key stakeholders which have enabled them to build the solutions they have today for TFW.

“Alt Labs Innovation team is extremely privileged to have worked with these innovative start-ups and have been part of their journey and proud to have delivered the 4 successful programmes for TFW”

“It follows a period of dedicated mentoring by business experts both remotely and at TfW’s state-of-the-art facility in Newport.”

Michael Davies, Transport for Wales‘ Insight and Innovation Manager, commented: “After two successful years of the Lab by TfW programme we are delighted to be able to take it to the next level by hosting our first in-person event.

“The standard of ideas from our previous three groups has been very high, so we’re looking forward to hearing the solutions our latest cohort has developed over the last three months.

“The event is also a chance to meet directly with senior TfW colleagues, so we’d be delighted to welcome as many people as possible from the tech industry in the UK.”