Mississauga, Ontario – December 18, 2024 – ApoSys Technologies Inc., a leader in the railway infrastructure inspection sector, is proud to announce a successful demonstration of the Apollo Framework, an automated track inspection system that will safeguard the safety and resilience of rail infrastructure from weather-related events. Developed in partnership with Tshiuetin Rail Transportation and the Ontario government through the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN), this project was fueled by an investment of over $2.2 million, including $747,000 from the province and nearly $1.5 million from partners.
“A strong, safe, and reliable transportation network is essential to the growth of Ontario’s economy,” said Vic Fedeli, Ontario’s Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “This strategic partnership between ApoSys Technologies and Tshiuetin Rail Transportation demonstrates the profound impact Ontario-made technology can have on the province’s smart mobility industry. We congratulate Aposys on the success of their cutting-edge AI technology and look forward to supporting their growth, as they continue to advance railway inspection solutions, at home and abroad.”
With the rising cost of railway maintenance now clocking at $2.8 billion due to escalated freeze-thaw cycles, receding permafrost, and enhanced water events, the Apollo Framework provides a centralized pool of AI-driven insights to facilitate preventative maintenance. Comprised of a hardware component, Apollo Sense, and an analytics and graphical engine, Apollo Analyze, the Framework uses LiDAR, temperature, and Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) sensors mounted on locomotives and satellite imagery to map railway networks. This vastly improves defect detection and the ability of railways to handle excessive dynamic loading, avoiding derailments and track outages.
“As a regional railway, we have limited funding resources and engineering capability. ApoSys’ affordable technology can inspect the track and measure the system behavior to reduce the potential risks, improve safety, enhance efficiency, and save substantial costs,” said James Bérubé, General Manager and Chief Operating Officer of Tshiuetin Rail Transportation Inc.
To focus their solutions on industry needs, ApoSys has established strategic partnerships with Tshiuetin Rail Transportation, Hudson Bay Railway (HBRY), and Cando Rail & Terminals. ApoSys was also recognized by Transport Canada under the Rail Climate Change Adaptation Program and the Rail Safety Improvement Program as a startup with the potential to mitigate the impacts of climate change on Canada’s rail sector. As part of its partnership with HBRY, Aposys has been conducting a paid pilot project in northern Manitoba, scanning over 1,200 km of railway and providing critical insights on melting permafrost beneath the tracks.
“ApoSys has taken on one of the most significant transportation challenges of our time, and for that we are incredibly proud to support their ingenious efforts to secure our railways,” said Raed Kadri, Head of OVIN. “This proudly Ontario-made innovation will not only transform the way people and goods are transported across the province and beyond but reinforce Ontario’s position as a global leader in the development and adoption of transportation technologies that are critically needed in these times.”
Reflecting on Aposys’ progress, CEO Oliver Wang said, “We spent a tremendous effort to establish our first few industrial partnerships, and I’m proud of how far we have come. There’s a lot more that needs to be done, and I’m grateful that the OVIN Partnership Fund is able to provide funding support and connections to embark on critical pilot projects, so that ApoSys can be a trailblazer of railway inspection solutions all around the world.”
Quotes
“The Apollo Framework is precisely what Canada’s rail network needs – a scalable, data-centric solution that tells us exactly where we should focus our resources to maintain our track infrastructure and substructure. There’s so much about climate change that we can’t see until it’s too late, resulting in reactive vs. proactive maintenance, costing so much more for the railways. ApoSys offers us predictive visibility through advanced technology, and I’m excited to be a part of their journey to bring the inspection process to the next level.” – Tony Marquis, Railroad Operations Specialist and Director of Metrolinx
“ApoSys has been a progressive, industry leading partner to work with. Their forward-looking innovations enable us to have asset-lite, scalable solutions that integrate inspection data into one common platform. It’s especially important that we get data-driven visibility on how climate change affects our rail network, so that maintenance crews can be both effective and efficient, driving safe operations. This is groundbreaking, and I’m excited to materialize this project with Oliver and his team.” – Brett Young, General Manager, Hudson Bay Railway
“This groundbreaking project highlights Ontario’s leadership in advancing smart, sustainable transportation solutions,” said Claudia Krywiak, President and CEO of the Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI). “Through OVIN, we are proud to support ApoSys Technologies in their mission to transform railway safety and resilience with innovative AI-driven technology. By addressing critical challenges like climate change and infrastructure sustainability, this initiative strengthens Ontario’s position as a global hub for cutting-edge mobility solutions while ensuring the safe and efficient movement of people and goods across Canada.”
About ApoSys:
ApoSys Technologies is a leading Canadian disruptor dedicated to revolutionizing the railway infrastructure inspection sector. Its Apollo Framework harnesses state-of-the-art technologies including LiDAR, GPR, AI, and satellite imaging, enabling railway operators to access real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and heightened weather/climate resilience. By providing actionable insights, we empower operators to refine maintenance strategies, reduce downtime, and enhance the enduring safety of rail infrastructure. With a commitment to aligning innovation with industry demands, ApoSys is a visionary in transportation infrastructure management, poised to shape the future of rail network optimization.
About OVIN:
The Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN) is an initiative of the Government of Ontario, led by the Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI), designed to reinforce Ontario’s position as a North American leader in advanced automotive technology and smart mobility solutions such as connected vehicles, autonomous vehicles and electric and low-carbon vehicle technologies. Through resources such as research and development (R&D) support, talent and skills development, technology acceleration, business and technical supports, and demonstration grounds, OVIN provides a competitive advantage to Ontario-made automotive and mobility technology companies.
Media Contact:
Pragya Saxena Pragya.Saxena@aposystech.com