Hitachi Rail secures ownership of Omnicom for enhanced digital asset control
Hitachi Rail, a leading global railway company, has announced the acquisition of digital rail monitoring business Omnicom from Balfour Beatty. This strategic move is set to enhance Hitachi Rail's digital asset management solutions, particularly its HMAX platform.
Launched in 2024, HMAX is an innovative digital asset management solution that integrates live data from trains and rail infrastructure. The acquired solutions from Omnicom will feed into HMAX, enabling Hitachi Rail to deliver more for its customers worldwide.
The enhancements include traffic optimization, energy consumption reduction, and an on-condition/predictive maintenance process. These improvements are made possible through the use of AI and machine learning, which the HMAX platform employs to process data, extract knowledge, and apply it for operational and service enhancements.
The specific assets targeted for monitoring include the overhead line and the track. The monitoring technology installed on trains uses edge computing and machine learning for near real-time anomaly detection on rail tracks. This technology can collect trillions of bytes of images per day, allowing customers to optimize their trackside maintenance planning and asset lifecycle.
Sanjay Razdan, managing director of Omnicom, stated that the technology will complement Hitachi Rail's existing digital asset management solutions, enhancing HMAX's capabilities for global customers. The acquisition will also allow Omnicom to benefit from the unique digital capabilities of the wider Hitachi Group, enabling continued innovation in AI-enabled systems for railway infrastructure management.
It is worth noting that HMAX is already installed on over 2,000 trains globally. The fourth annual CiTTi Awards, an unmissable event for the UK's transportation sector, will recognize and celebrate achievements and innovations in AI & data transport technology on 25 November 2025 at De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London.
This acquisition marks a significant step forward in Hitachi Rail's mission to provide cutting-edge technology and services to its customers, ensuring safe, efficient, and sustainable railway systems for the future.
