Amazon Web Services, Inc. (AWS), a subsidiary of Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN), has announced that the Central Japan Railway Company (JR Central), which serves over 170 million passengers annually via the Tokaido Shinkansen, is leveraging AWS technologies to enhance its Yamanashi Maglev Line operations. By deploying AWS’s IT infrastructure, Internet of Things (IoT), machine learning (ML), and generative artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities, JR Central aims to improve data-driven operations, boost efficiency, and lower maintenance costs.
JR Central is gearing up to debut the next-generation Super Conducting Maglev (SC Maglev), an ultra-high-speed train that operates at twice the speed of traditional bullet trains by floating and moving above the tracks using magnetic forces. This cutting-edge service, currently in trial on the Yamanashi Maglev Line and expected to reach speeds of up to 500 km/h, will halve travel times. For instance, the new Chuo Shinkansen line, under construction, will utilize the SC Maglev system to reduce the journey from Tokyo to Nagoya to 40 minutes (from 86 minutes) and from Tokyo to Osaka to 67 minutes (from 134 minutes). The Chuo Shinkansen will also act as a backup to the Tokaido Shinkansen in emergencies, such as major earthquakes, establishing a dual high-speed rail network.
AWS’s ML and IoT technologies enable the Yamanashi Maglev Line to monitor railway infrastructure through data from power lines and electronic track inspection vehicles. This data helps predict potential failures and optimize maintenance. For example, JR Central has developed an ML model with Amazon SageMaker to detect abnormalities in power transmission equipment. The company uses Amazon QuickSight, a cloud-based business intelligence tool, to visualize and analyze this data, allowing for preemptive maintenance and minimizing service disruptions. Looking ahead, JR Central plans to integrate Amazon Bedrock, which facilitates the development of generative AI applications, to provide staff with actionable insights based on equipment manuals and maintenance records.
“By harnessing AWS to drive innovation on the Yamanashi Maglev Line, we are advancing the future of high-speed rail,” said Motoaki Terai, senior corporate executive officer and director general of the Maglev System Development Division at JR Central. “Our commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology will not only transform travel between Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka but will also set new benchmarks for global efficiency and safety.”
To enhance cloud proficiency within its organization, JR Central’s Maglev System Development Division collaborates with AWS to deliver practical cloud skills training. In 2023, the AWS Professional Services ML Talent Development Support Program trained the division’s mechanical engineers to build and refine an ML model for identifying power transmission equipment issues.
“Japan’s premier transportation sector is harnessing cloud technology to make high-speed rail safer, more efficient, and more enjoyable for passengers,” said Jaime Vallés, vice president and general manager for Asia Pacific and Japan at AWS. “With AWS, JR Central has the resilience and innovation needed to operate one of the world’s fastest and most advanced train services, using generative AI, machine learning, and data to achieve unparalleled efficiency. Our collaboration is just beginning, and we’re excited to explore new frontiers in rail travel together.