Rail Facility Drones for HCMT Trains

A first-of-its-kind autonomous robotic solution transforming rail facility inspections at one of Victoria’s largest rail depots.

The Rail Facility Drones (RFD) solution delivers fully autonomous, high-precision inspections across the 118-hectare Pakenham Rail Depot, home to the High Capacity Metro Trains (HCMT) fleet. Using the latest UAV technology, autonomous docking stations, and advanced optical and infrared imaging, RFD gives operators unprecedented visibility of overhead high-voltage and facility assets without disrupting operations.

Pushing the limits of inspection technology

RFD combines Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) capability with advanced Machine Learning and AI-powered analytics to detect defects before they become failures. High-resolution imagery is captured, processed through 35+ custom-trained ML models, and transformed into actionable insights seamlessly delivering insights within the clients MMS.

The system accesses difficult-to-reach areas without requiring power isolation or manual setup, dramatically increasing safety while reducing downtime and inspection costs.

Pakenham Deployment Highlights

• 118-hectare depot coverage with monthly autonomous inspections
• 20km of overhead high-voltage assets monitored without power shutdowns
• 19,000+ components inspected monthly at up to 98% accuracy
• 25-minute average flight time across 22 autonomous mission profiles
• 35+ machine learning models for automated defect detection and condition assessment

How it works

1. Mission selection via the FMT Robot Management App
2. Automated take-off, data capture, and precision landing
3. Automated data transfer, AI-driven validation, and defect analysis
4. Instant reporting and maintenance alert generation in client systems

RFD at Pakenham demonstrates how autonomous drone technology can redefine the standards for speed, safety, and accuracy in rail asset management, setting a new benchmark for modern rail facility inspections.

Want to learn more about RFD or explore deployment in your network?
Reach out to us at info@thinkfmt.com

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