Nine tech start-up companies have been chosen to collaborate with four train operators to work and deliver new innovations within the rail sector.

London North Eastern Railway, Northern, Southeastern and TransPennine Express have collaborated through Future Labs to expedite the development of solutions for prevalent and arising challenges within the industry.

In this unprecedented initiative, the nine selected companies will gain exclusive insights and guidance through a 12-week mentorship programme designed to put their products and services into use as if they were to be used on the mainline network.

Participants will have the chance to apply, test, and showcase their ideas in a real-world setting, gaining access to industry data, mentorship, and expertise from subject matter specialists.

“Our railways are essential in connecting people across the country and play a vital role in supporting the UK’s economy.

Working together we can find innovative solutions to drive forward growth by making the best use of technology to improve train performance, accessibility and customer experience.”

Richard Harrison, chief financial officer of DOHL, which has responsibility for the four operators involved in Future Labs

Over 100 companies submitted applications to join Future Labs, each offering innovative solutions and products targeting four key categories:

• Enhancing customer experience
• Improving performance and operational excellence
• Developing people and talent
• A wildcard category

The nine finalists, chosen by rail industry leaders after a pitch day in York this month, include:

Chata.ai’s solution empowers organizations to leverage their data via proactive self-service analytics, enabling users to obtain real-time insights simply by posing straightforward questions.

Cleancore Intelligence provides a system for monitoring cleaning compliance and footfall, eliminating the need for manual records by indicating areas requiring cleaning.

1Huddle is a platform for recruitment, engagement, and development that employs gaming to train, onboard, and attract talent. The games, lasting one to two minutes, are designed for high impact and can be played on the go, anytime and anywhere. Managers have the ability to rapidly create games, and staff members are eligible for rewards.

iqast offers a fully automated forecasting solution powered by Artificial Intelligence and machine learning. It is customizable to meet the specific needs of a company and can operate autonomously, eliminating the necessity for integration with the company’s existing infrastructure.

Cognition24 offers a mobile application tailored for individuals with Autism, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and other hidden disabilities. This technology provides real-time travel information in an accessible format, whether at home, at the station, or on board. It includes features like locating the quietest coach and delivering announcement messages, even when using noise-cancelling headphones.

Zing Data has created a platform that provides business intelligence and visual data analytics powered by Artificial Intelligence. It features natural language querying capable of automatically discerning complex calculations and relationships.

Treeva provides a renewable energy solution that harnesses the turbulent airflow from passing vehicles. Its modular design allows for straightforward installation and maintenance alongside roads or railways, utilizing accessible land to potentially power infrastructure towards net-zero transport systems.

PotentialU provides a solution aimed at assisting frontline managers or team leaders in comprehending their team’s strengths and weaknesses. It offers insights and aids leaders in engaging with their teams more effectively.

Moonbility is a digital twin enterprise that specializes in forecasting and simulating asset failures within the transportation sector, aiding businesses in planning and mitigating potential impacts.

“The energy at the Future Labs Pitch Day was electric! It has been fantastic to witness the engagement from LNER, Northern, Southeastern, and TransPennine Express over the past few months and during the day itself.

I was incredibly impressed by the entrepreneurs behind the nine companies that have been selected to join the programme and I’m excited to see how Future Labs will fast track these innovations to shape the future of the rail industry.”

Daniel Saunders, CEO of L Marks, which is running the Future Labs programme,

Additional Information on the Future Labs programme can be found here.