Mobile AI Edge Computing

---

AI-Powered Insight. Directly Onboard.

Process data, run software containers, and deploy edge intelligence at the source — no cloud dependency required.

Modern rail and vehicle systems are generating massive amounts of data: video feeds, sensor telemetry, diagnostics, operational signals, and more. But in many cases, uploading this data to the cloud isn’t practical — due to bandwidth limits, latency, or security policies.

Mobile AI Edge Computing solves this by bringing the intelligence directly into the vehicle. Using Parametric’s MEC4000 platform, operators can analyze data, deploy AI models, and run custom applications on-site — reducing latency, ensuring data sovereignty, and increasing system autonomy.

It’s not just about processing power. It’s about making better decisions, faster — right where they matter.

• For Predictive Maintenance
  Use onboard analytics to detect anomalies before they become failures — without needing real-time cloud connectivity.
• For Edge AI Video Analytics
  Process camera feeds on-device for object detection, passenger counting, safety alerts, or platform monitoring.
• For Digital Rail Infrastructure
  Evaluate trackside sensor inputs and system signals locally to minimize response times and reduce network strain.
• For Operators
  Deploy containerized apps directly to vehicles and manage them centrally — securely, efficiently, and flexibly.

• AI at the Edge
  Run machine learning models and inference engines directly onboard using an integrated Neural Processing Unit (NPU).
• Custom Logic in Containers
  Deploy customer-specific software in Docker/OCI containers — from diagnostic scripts to advanced event processing.
• Secure System Architecture
  Segment and protect subsystems using VLANs, firewalls, and access policies — all managed centrally.
• Data Efficiency
  Only transmit what matters — pre-filtered, summarized, or event-triggered data — saving bandwidth and cost.
• Flexible Integration
  Works with cloud, on-premise, or fully offline architectures. You control where and how data flows.

1. The MEC4000 connects to in-vehicle systems via Ethernet, serial interfaces, or wireless.
2. Subsystems are logically segmented and isolated using VLANs and policy-based controls.
3. Sensor and system data is collected and processed in real-time by the onboard CPU and NPU.
4. Custom applications run in secure containers — controlled via remote update and orchestration tools.
5. Processed results can be logged locally or sent via secure outbound connections to cloud or ground systems.
6. All remote access is fully auditable, role-based, and can be enabled or revoked as needed.

ABB integrates traction converters into trains that must be continuously monitored to ensure performance and safety. However, railway operators — who are not necessarily the system integrators — may not be authorized to access full control or diagnostic data.

In addition to strict access control requirements, the system needed to handle mobile network challenges such as high latency, intermittent connectivity, and the complexity of managing distributed, multi-vendor devices onboard.

Parametric delivered an onboard edge solution based on the MEC4000 Mobile Edge Computer. ABB uses the platform to extract, combine, and evaluate log data from its traction system’s various subsystems. These operations run inside a secure software container.

In addition to log analysis, the MEC4000 synchronizes all attached devices using a common time base and distributes GPS coordinates throughout the onboard network — enabling a unified view of data across the system.

The containerized software environment ensures modularity and easy updates while maintaining full operational independence. All processing takes place onboard; only summarized results and logs are sent to central systems.

• Unified System Monitoring: Distributed subsystems are time-synchronized and location-aware, enabling coherent data evaluation.
• Reduced Data Transmission: Only processed summaries and alerts are sent to the cloud, minimizing bandwidth needs.
• Security & Modularity: Containerization, VPN tunneling, VLAN segmentation, and strong authentication protect data and simplify updates.
• Operational Autonomy: ABB retains full control over software and data without dependency on cloud infrastructure or third-party platforms.

Built for Intelligence. Ready for Anything.

The solution supports multiple deployment modes:

• Edge-Only Operation
  All data is processed and stored locally. Ideal for air-gapped or low-connectivity environments.
• Cloud Integration
  Transmit selected data for long-term analysis, dashboards, or model training — using secure, outbound-only connections.
• Hybrid Deployments
  Combine local analytics with remote oversight, using secure APIs and container orchestration tools.

Every connection is encrypted. Every application is isolated. Every access is auditable.

Compact. AI-Ready. Industrial-Grade.

At the heart of the solution is Parametric's MEC4000 — a powerful edge computer with:

• Base Hardware:
  LTE onboard, optional 5G/Wi-Fi 6, GPS, managed Ethernet switch
• AI Acceleration:
  Integrated Neural Processing Unit (NPU) for ML inference
• Container Platform:
  Runs software in Docker/OCI containers with full orchestration support
• Secure Architecture:
  VLANs, firewalls, audit logs, and role-based access
• Expansion Options:
  2 × PCIe and 2 × USB 3.1 for peripherals or storage
• Certifications:
  EN50155, ECE R10 Rev4 — proven for rail and road