Last week, RailTech Europe 2022 had finally arrived. After more than two years without physical trade fairs, we were really looking forward to this year’s event. We are, along with our sister organizations voestalpine Turnout Technology Netherlands and voestalpine Signaling Siershahn GmbH, a total supplier for the Dutch railway infrastructure sector under the wings of voestalpine Railway Systems. At this year’s trade fair, we were finally able to meet our customers in real life again.
Even though last year’s online RailTech Europe 2022 turned out to be a positive experience, our Managing Director Chris van Dranen, being a ‘true trade fair enthusiast’, was pleased to have a real life version once again: “At least you can now look the other person in the eye again and have a cup of coffee together. It’s a lot more social.” Wouter Lampe, CDO, adds: “It’s definitely nice for colleagues to be able to talk to everyone from the railway infrastructure sector again in real life. We’ve had good talks and expressed our ambitions about digitization, innovation, and last, but not least, the circular track.”
During the RailTech Europe 2022, we gave live demonstrations of the use of the Smart Helmet for working inside the tracks. The Smart Helmet has an integrated camera that can be operated and controlled remotely. The helmet runs on GPS, is equipped with a camera, and runs on voice control. FAT and/or SAT purchases at external locations are expensive at the moment, partly because of the high travel and accommodation costs involved. On-site quality assessments are also often unnecessarily expensive. Both processes involve a large amount of paperwork that goes back and forth. Given the current trend in the market of digitizing processes and sustainable use of materials, we see the Smart Helmet as a welcome addition; efficient communication, hands-free operations, and cost savings.