Mesh networking provides secure communications for rail industry
Provider of mobile wireless mesh networks, Rajant, has entered into a partnership with the Wabtech Corporation to accelerate growth in the rail industry. The two companies are looking to usher in the next wave of innovation for passenger and freight systems, as well as bring new capabilities to the rail industry.
Wabtec, a supplier of technology products and services for rail and industrial markets, will jointly develop and market Rajant’s Kinetic Mesh®wireless networking products to rail operators worldwide. As part of the partnership, Wabtec has made an undisclosed minority equity investment in Rajant.
The Kinetic Mesh is a loe-latancy, high-througput and secure solution which Rajant provides to customers in over 50 countries. It Supports a variety of data, voice, video and autonomous applications for industries such as military, mining, ports, oil and gas, and others.
With the continued digitalisation of passenger and industrial transport seen across the globe, there is continuing appetite for mesh networks to help move innovation along. Last month, Oregon-based uCIFI Alliance announced plans to develop an open-source mesh network to stop smart city and smart energy projects being “hobbled” by a lack of technical interoperability.
“Passenger and freight systems are integrating applications such as autonomous vehicles and advanced sensors that place great demands on anetwork’s infrastructure,” said Robert J. Schena, CEO and Co-Founder of Rajant. “The industry requires not only the highest level of reliability and security, but also the ability to extend connectivity to improve overall operations and customer experience. We understand the underlying communications challenges rail is confronted with.”
Speaking of the investment, Raymond T. Betler, Wabtec’s president and chief executive, said: “Our investment in Rajant is aimed at growing Rajant’s communications technology in the rail market, leveraging both companies’ resources, technologies and industry expertise to develop best-in-class, secure connectivity solutions for current and new customers.
“Wabtec is focused on the development and commercialisation of innovative and emerging technologies that can rely on Rajant’s leading connectivity solutions for real-time data.”
