SMRT and McLaren Applied Technologies to adapt Formula 1 race car technology to monitor performance of MRT trains

SMRT Trains and McLaren Applied Technologies (the United Kingdom-based technology company, part of the McLaren Group which includes the Formula 1 team, McLaren Racing, and the high-performance car maker, McLaren Automotive) will work together on condition-monitoring solutions that are able to track and predict the performance of SMRT trains.

The Memorandum of Understanding between SMRT and McLaren Applied Technologies was signed in Singapore on 23 Feb 2018 by Mr. Ng Peng Hoe, Principal Fellow, Future Systems (Rolling Stock) at SMRT, and Mr. Lim Kok-Leong, Regional Director at McLaren Applied Technologies. The signing ceremony was witnessed by Mr. Desmond Kuek, SMRT President and Group CEO, and Mr. Dick Glover, Acting CEO of McLaren Applied Technologies.

The agreement marks the first time that engineers at SMRT and McLaren Applied Technologies are jointly seeking to adopt race car condition-monitoring technology for the purpose of monitoring the performance of MRT trains. Such technology is commonly used aboard Formula 1 race cars to provide vital information derived from highly specified data capture, in real-time, to the Formula 1 pit crews and mission control.

Over a Grand Prix season with about 21 races, the McLaren race team captures an average of more than 12 billion real-time data points from over 300 sensors embedded on its two race cars. Expert analysis of the data allows the team to monitor in real-time, perform detailed analysis and make informed decisions in mission control to optimize on-track performance. These condition-monitoring sensors and high-speed loggers installed on race cars are small and lightweight as space aboard the cars are limited and adding weight must be completely justified. They are also of robust construction to withstand the stresses imposed during high-speed races, meaning they can be readily adapted for use on trains.

The SMRT-McLaren Applied Technologies team will work on customizing condition-monitoring solutions to monitor the train motors, brakes, pneumatic systems and gearboxes fitted aboard one SMRT train; these will collectively serve as a test-bed for proof-of-concept. This test-bed train will, in turn, allow engineers from SMRT and McLaren Applied Technologies to validate the performance of an end-to-end condition-monitoring platform.

“In Singapore, SMRT has been pioneering the development of rail condition-monitoring sensors to minimize disruption of our commuter service, optimizing train performance by detecting and rectifying emerging defects early. We look forward to collaborating with McLaren Applied Technologies to elevate this capability further, combining our engineering expertise in rail with their proven capabilities harnessing sensors, telemetry, and software in motorsport. McLaren’s motorsport technology will be adapted and installed on board our first Proof-of-Concept SMRT train later this year.  When implemented fleet-wide, we expect to bring about enhanced safety, reliability and comfort for commuters on our rail network.” said Mr. Desmond Kuek, SMRT President, and Group CEO

Commenting on the partnership, Dick Glover, Acting CEO, McLaren Applied Technologies, said:

“This unique partnership with SMRT will deliver the advantage for Singapore by maximizing vehicle availability and maintenance capacity of their train services. At McLaren Applied Technologies we harness our expertise in precision data capture, visualization, and real-time operational interventions to create inspired outcomes for the manufacturer, the operator and ultimately for the passenger. We are excited to take this first step in Singapore with SMRT, working together to adapt our proven motorsport technologies to optimize fleet performance and provide continuous improvements to the passenger experience.”

Ms. Kerry Andrews, Head of Business Development for Public Transport Asia Pacific, McLaren Applied Technologies said: “The collaboration with SMRT is part of our commitment to the Asia Pacific transport industry and its customers to digitally enable future transport systems and accelerate the path to intelligent mobility.”

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