Russian Railways and GenerationS launched a joint accelerator aimed at finding innovative solutions for the transport industry

Russian Railways and GenerationS launched joint corporate accelerator for innovative solutions for transport industry. The main goal of the project is to find promising, highly competitive technologies that can improve the safety, operating efficiency and management of rolling stock.

Startups with the solutions in following key directions can participate in the selection process:

• Complex of locomotive;
• Complex of motor train unit;
• Rolling stock;
• High-speed service;
• Special rolling stock.

Each direction includes from 7 to 11 solutions related to both technical aspects of transport industry, as well as aimed at digitalization of various processes, including:

• saving fuel and energy resources;
• uprating of rolling stock;
• optimization of conditions for repairs and time spent on various operations;
• implementation of solutions in field of robotics industry;
• development of a number of monitoring systems;
• options for the use of machine intelligence and AR/VR- technologies.

Full list of directions is available on the accelerator's website: https://accelerator.rzd.ru/

In order to fully meet the needs of Russian Railways within the framework of this thematic area, the program partners will be the premier manufacturers of rolling stock and companies that carry out its repair and maintenance.

Startups not only from Russia, but also from CIS countries can take part in selection process. Projects verification is scheduled for mid-September. The most promising projects will present their solutions to the management of Russian Railways, as well as to the Holding's partners at the Demo day and will get the opportunity for a long-term cooperation.

Ekaterina Petrova, Director of GenerationS corporate accelerator: : 

‘For us, the joint project with such a strong and significant player in transport industry as Russian Railways is a new important milestone in development of corporate innovations. Key directions within the framework of this project, for scouting innovative projects with a focus on digital solutions were identified. We believe that our expertise in transport industry will contribute to finding worthwhile projects that will enable long-term productive cooperation and help the Russian Railways not only reach a new technological level, but also solve a number of the most important tasks that the digital transformation poses to the company. For startups and SMEs, it is especially important to find a reliable customer, with who they can not only contribute to solving post-crisis problems, but also change the transport industry, making it more flexible and innovative.’

Aleksey Lokhmatov, head of corporate accelerator of Russian Railways:

‘Russian Railways announces the second set of corporate acceleration program in direction of rolling stock, which will be held together with GenerationS, platform for the development of corporate innovation, in July 2020. The main role of the program is to find solutions aimed at reducing the costs associated with operation and repair of rolling stock, improving, as well as improving the safety of all types of railway cartage by contract and ensuring a current level of passenger comfort. We plan to attract partners to the program in order to meet their needs in searching for new innovative solutions. Experience participate of the first acceleration program will significantly speed up the process of piloting startup projects and successfully introduce technologies into work of Holding and its partners. Seven startups became winners of the last year program. Today, their products are being tested, and one project is being prepared for delivery of its products to Russian Railways.’