20.03.24 BRISTOL, Connected Places Catapult, the UK’s innovation accelerator for cities, transport, and place leadership, today announced the names of three companies chosen by the Catapult, Network Rail and GWR to trial new technology as part of the Station Innovation Zone at Bristol Temple Meads.
The three firms – Chrome Angel Solutions, Co-You, and CrossTech – were selected from a longlist of eight companies announced in January, who were keen to demonstrate new ideas to help improve various aspects of the passenger experience at the station.
Each of the three shortlisted companies will receive funding of up to £75,000 to take their proposals forward for trial, testing and evaluation, after initially being awarded £2,000 to develop a trial plan and receiving business support and pitch coaching.
Passengers at Bristol Temple Meads station will witness the benefits of the trials taking place later this year. The three companies and their innovations are:
Chrome Angel Solutions applies ‘serious games’ technology to tackle performance, safety and customer experience challenges for railway operators. It offers low-cost simulations on mobile devices, tablets, PC and virtual reality headsets to build staff confidence and competence for complex and critical operational processes and situations.
Co-You has created an innovative carbon dioxide absorbing panel system, to be deployed in a station to capture CO2 from diesel train emissions. The panel system, developed by the London-based SME, is scalable to help achieve net zero targets.
CrossTech uses automated computer vision inspection software to help those involved in the operation of the station improve efficiency and safety by locating or predicting potential hazards. This could include the detection and alerting of passengers approaching stairs with unsuitable luggage.
Innovations being taken forward as part of the programme cover two industry ‘challenges’ – set by Network Rail and the Catapult, with the support of a cross-industry advisory board – which are ‘Sustainable Station’, and ‘Safe Station’.