Supply Side: Rail Vision, ROLLON Corp., Icomera/SpaceX Starlink, Tealinc LLC

Rail Vision

Rail Vision on Nov. 18 announced an innovative advancement in railway safety and control.

Developed in collaboration with a major U.S.-based rail company, Rail Vision’s new system, the company says, “transitions from passive warning systems to active safety systems that directly control locomotive throttle and brakes, setting a new step towards autonomous rail operations.”

According to the Ra’anana, Israel-based supplier, this next-generation capability, tailored for shunting yard locomotives, “leverages Rail Vision’s proprietary AI technology to provide real-time insights integrated into the customer’s locomotive control systems.” The system will be deployed as part of the initial rollout on the customer’s U.S. fleet, with implementation starting by the end of 2024.

This advancement, Rail Vision says, signals a significant transition from passive warning Advance Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) to the active control of the throttle and brakes, which is done in real-time for autonomous applications in order to mitigate risks and preserve business continuity.

“This development represents a major milestone in our commitment to supporting the evolution of autonomous rail operations and reflects our close relationship with this leading customer,” said Rail Vision CEO Shahar Hania. “By bridging the gap between humans and advanced detection systems, we are enabling our customers to enhance safety and optimize performance.”

ROLLON Corp.

ROLLON Corp., part of The Timken Company’s Industrial Motion Business, announced Nov. 18 that it is expanding its operations to better serve customers in the Americas with the opening of a new manufacturing facility in Norton Shores, Mich., and new business office space in N.J.

“ROLLON is proud to announce that we’re growing our manufacturing capabilities to optimize service for our customers,’” said ROLLON Group CEO Rüdiger Knevels. “We will be better positioned than ever to deliver ROLLON linear guides, actuators, systems and gantries to customers in North and South America.”

The custom-built Michigan manufacturing facility spans 147,000 square feet. This location will serve as the U.S. manufacturing hub for the following ROLLON product lines:

• Linear components
• Actuators
• Robotic transfer units (RTUs)
• Multi-axis systems and gantries

According to ROLLON, the company will “leverage the move to introduce digital systems and smart manufacturing processes that it can adjust in real time to meet the changing demands and conditions of customers and overall supply chain.”

The New Jersey office will house ROLLON’s engineering, marketing, customer service, HR, product management and purchasing teams in a central location.

“We serve a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, packaging, aerospace, factory automation, logistics, material handling and healthcare. This transition allows us to work closely with our customers to meet the growing demand for ROLLON products,” said Knevels.

Icomera/SpaceX Starlink

Icomera on Nov. 14 announced that it has signed an authorized reseller agreement with SpaceX’s Starlink to provide Starlink’s high-speed, low-latency satellite connectivity specifically to trains.

The impact of this agreement, Icomera says, “will be seen in increased passenger satisfaction, operational efficiency and safety on board trains around the world.”

Icomera’s agreement with Starlink, the company says, brings satellite internet connectivity closer to millions of passengers accessing onboard Wi-Fi services to stream entertainment content or conduct video calls.

For operators, reliable connectivity is crucial for real-time monitoring, remote diagnostics, and onboard systems management, all of which contribute to safer and more efficient rail operations, the company noted. “Combined, this will help make rail networks around the world become more efficient and reliable, increasing the return on investment.”

Prior to this announcement, Icomera says it has in recent years been actively involved in multiple successful LEO satellite Internet projects on both sides of the Atlantic. Some of these have included trains in revenue service, while others have been technical trials aimed at pushing the technology to achieve its full potential.

The results, Icomera says, have been “impressive,” delivering the equivalent of inner-city 5G capacity to trains in rural environments, with throughput consistently in the range of 200-400 megabits per Starlink Terminal designed specifically for trains, and latency of less than 40 milliseconds.

“Satellite represents an incredible opportunity for the rail industry, offering transformative benefits for passengers and operators alike,” said Icomera CEO Catherine Chardon. This new high-speed low-latency connectivity will complement the existing wireless technologies that Icomera intelligently aggregates and prioritizes based on time, location, and demand—ensuring a robust, economic and reliable solution.

“We aim to be inspiring partners in driving the rail industry’s digital transition. Icomera is committed to delivering new levels of performance in safety, operational efficiency and passenger experiences through reliable, seamless connectivity across all environments,” Chardon added.

Icomera says it expects the first installations of its rail certified satellite connectivity solutions to begin in Q1 2025.

Tealinc LLC

Railcar equipment leasing, sales, and fleet management solutions provider Tealinc LLC is marking the one-year anniversary of its acquisition by an undisclosed “larger, private, family-owned premium finance firm.”

“Although the transaction details were not made public, this marks the first public announcement of the company’s ownership change,” the company said.

“The recent ownership transition has infused Tealinc with increased capital, allowing Tealinc to acquire railcars in even larger volumes, providing railcar shippers with streamlined and competitive options for selling, leasing, buying, and managing their railcar equipment assets,” Tealinc President Julie Mink said. “This past year has been a transformative period of growth and refinement. With the infusion of capital from our new owners, we’re leveraging our team’s combined knowledge of more than 115 years of rail industry experience and expanding our railcar fleet. We’re focused on delivering even greater flexibility and enhanced value to railcar sellers and railcar leasing customers alike. We’re excited to build on this momentum and to create successful synergies with rail industry partners in the years ahead.”

In January 2024, Tealinc welcomed Nate Chilton as the new Director of Railcar Leasing & Sales. Bringing extensive experience in the rail industry, Chilton joined Tealinc’s leadership team, which includes CEO and Founder Darell Luther, Mink, and Directors Shannon Rodgers and Yvonne Lufborough. ”Together, this dedicated team is committed to enhancing Tealinc’s services in railcar leasing, purchasing, selling, and fleet optimization,” the company said. “Tealinc aims to deepen its collaborations within the rail industry, expand its railcar fleet, and continue enhancing its customer-focused solutions. The company remains committed to providing unparalleled service to railcar owners, railcar leasing customer, and rail fleet management partners while strengthening its industry impact.”