‘Smart’ train windows to display up-to-date journey information

Providing passengers with comprehensive up-to-date information

SmartWindows is an intelligent data integration system using situational filtering and context-based visualisation of information.

For the past year and a half, five partners from industry and research have been working on a project, funded by the research initiative mFund of the German Federal Ministry for Transport and Digital Infrastructure. The aim is to provide passengers with comprehensive up-to-date information – for instance in the event of delays or changes – throughout the mobility chain. Passengers can also access information about the route they are taking or touristic destinations along the way through the SmartWindows.

“Each journey should become a mobility experience,” says Bettina Langensiepen of the HÜBNER Group.

HÜBNER is making it possible for the transparent displays to be installed in public transport vehicles. The company is providing materials such as the insulated glass panes, the surrounding frames and covering, as well as gluing and assembling the components for test rig trials in accordance with UIC standards.

Augmented reality and interactive exploration modalities

For the intelligent integration of relevant data, its semantic evaluation and dynamic utilisation, the project partners have developed new technologies making use of augmented reality and interactive exploration modalities. Also in use are big data and small data technologies, as well as open data sources and third-party data providers. Data protection and security has been a concern throughout the development process.

The current situation of passengers is handled through context information that allows the system to select data tailored to the particular situation while displaying personal information on users’ smartphones and general supplementary information on the transparent SmartWindow of the vehicle.

“With the use of colour concepts, for example, it is then possible for connections between the passenger’s personal route and other general information to be made,” explained Bettina.

https://smartmmi.de/project/