Meidensha Corporation (Meiden) has won an award in the Development Category of the Awards for Science and Technology for developing an overhead catenary inspection system that uses image analysis. The awards are given as part of the Commendation for Science and Technology by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.

The award in the Development Category is given to people who developed or achieved ground-breaking technologies or innovations that are actually being used to improve Japan’s society, economy and people’s livelihoods.

The overhead catenary inspection system is capable of making highly precise measurements by combining a small line sensor camera, edge-detection technologies that are barely affected by disturbances, and image analysis methods, including image filters. This system is the first of its kind in the world.

This system can automatically detect abnormal abrasions such as partial or corrugation abrasions, which cannot be detected by conventional methods that measure abrasions with the reflection width glared after shining a laser on the bottom side of an overhead catenary system. The new system significantly enhances maintenance efficiency and save maintenance costs. Furthermore, inspections can be done simply by installing the small line sensor camera to any train vehicle, such as inspection car, commercial train car or Shinkansen bullet train car. Since it was commercialized, the system has been installed railway companies in Japan and overseas and helped ensure stable rail operations.

As a company supporting social infrastructure, Meiden will accelerate the development of technologies to build and improve infrastructure and respond to the ever-diversifying needs of customers.

Award outline

Development Category of the Awards for Science and Technology

Title: Development of an overhead catenary inspection system featuring image analysis

Recipients:
Makoto Niwakawa, General Manager of AI and Image Processing Research Department, Basic & Core Technology Research Laboratories, Research & Development Group
Seiji Tabayashi, Chief Engineer of Engineering Section 3, Railway System Business Engineering Division, Railway System Business Unit
Yusuke Watabe, Manager of DX Acceleration Section, ICT-based Business Planning and Promotion Division, ICT Products & Services Management Group


[Commendation for Science and Technology by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology]
The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology commends persons who produced outstanding results in research and development related to science and technology. The commendation aims to motivate scientists and engineers to excel and thus enhance the standard of Japan’s science and technology. 

 

 

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e-mail: kouhou@mb.meidensha.co.jp