IAM4RAIL - Multipurpose Inspection Robot

Research Project, 2022 – 2026

Multipurpose Inspection Robot for Railway Maintenance

To increase efficiency and reduce the need for human activity in rail environments, this research at Chalmers explores autonomous maintenance robots. The project aims to develop a rail-bound robot capable of performing regular railway inspections independently and safely. The robot is designed to identify both existing damage and track sections with future risk, with the long-term vision of also performing minor repairs.

By operating autonomously around the clock, handling monotonous data collection, the robot enables proactive and scheduled maintenance. This reduces disruptions to train traffic, extends infrastructure lifespan, and contributes to increased safety, capacity, and punctuality. The technology has been successfully tested on a real railway within the EU project IAM4RAIL, focusing on autonomous navigation and environment perception. The research also addresses the need to adapt regulations to ensure operational safety.