Israel Railways Partners with Exodigo to Revolutionize Underground Mapping

Israel Railways, in collaboration with the Israeli start-up Exodigo, has unveiled an innovative AI-driven remote-sensing system designed to accurately map underground infrastructure. This technology was introduced at the CES innovation conference in Las Vegas, where it garnered attention for its potential to transform rail construction and maintenance. Exodigo specializes in non-intrusive subsurface mapping and has conducted advanced surveys along various segments of Israel Railways' tracks. The primary objectives of this initiative are to reduce development costs, shorten project timelines, and mitigate damage to buried infrastructure, which is a frequent cause of delays in rail operations.

The Jerusalem Post

The partnership emerged from the “Innovation Challenge Tender,” a competitive process aimed at sourcing advanced global solutions for underground mapping. Exodigo was selected after demonstrating superior performance in a pilot project along the railway corridor, outperforming several other Israeli and international contenders. The technology has been engineered to be mounted directly onto Israel Railways’ railcars, resulting in a multi-dimensional digital model of the railway corridor. This model provides engineers and planners with a highly accurate source of information regarding subsurface conditions.

The Jerusalem Post

Avi Elmaliach, acting CEO of Israel Railways, highlighted the strategic significance of this collaboration, emphasizing the organization's commitment to adopting technologies that enhance service reliability and operational efficiency. He stated that the results from Exodigo demonstrate substantial potential not only for Israel but also for railway operators globally. The implementation of this system is expected to streamline maintenance processes, improve safety, and support long-term planning across the national rail network.

The Jerusalem Post

Jeremy Suard, CEO and co-founder of Exodigo, noted that railway operators worldwide face similar challenges, including the need to maintain punctuality and safety while managing aging infrastructure. He expressed confidence that the new system would enable Israel Railways to map its assets “efficiently and systematically,” paving the way for future AI-driven decision-making in infrastructure management.

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While the initiative has been largely praised, some industry experts have raised concerns about the reliance on new technologies and the potential for unforeseen complications during implementation. Critics argue that while AI-driven solutions can enhance efficiency, they may also introduce new risks if not managed properly.

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• “Israel Railways continuously works to identify and develop technological solutions that improve passenger service and maintenance efficiency,” — Avi Elmaliach, Acting CEO, Israel Railways

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• “Israel Railways faces challenges similar to those of railway operators around the world, such as the need to maintain schedule accuracy and high-quality service while maintaining and expanding the existing network,” — Jeremy Suard, CEO, Exodigo

The Jerusalem Post

This partnership between Israel Railways and Exodigo marks a significant step towards modernizing rail infrastructure management, with implications that could resonate across the global railway industry.

The Jerusalem Post