Face biometrics startup TouchByte joins rail innovation accelerator program

Biometric facial recognition, AI, and video analytics solutions developer TouchByte has been selected together with nine other tech start-ups to take part in the Transport for Wales’ (TfW) inaugural accelerator program, Lab, launched in September 2019 in the UK, writes Intelligent Transport.

TouchByte develops biometric facial recognition-enabled analytics and recognition solutions that, not only strengthen security, but also deliver insights about passenger numbers, movements and visiting locations, and suspicious individuals. Its solution portfolio includes FaceStream Lite, FaceStream Plus, Facentry – Access Control and AgeCheck, which can be rolled out in multiple sectors including retail, transport, leisure and hotels. The company has won a number of industry awards including Entrepreneur and Innovation of the year award at AW Business Awards in 2018.

Other start-ups in the accelerator working on rail innovation are Cleverciti, Big Lemon, Smart Bench, Navilens, UtterBerry, Brite Yellow Limited, Realtime Knowledge, Hiperview and PassageWay. For 12 weeks, the teams will be working on a number of customer-centered projects including smart parking sensors, augmented reality for navigation, facial recognition security, digital wayfinding signs. Out of 70 applications, 16 were chosen to pitch their ideas to a team of decision makers from TfW Rail and network operator KeolisAmey, and only 10 moved on to be part of the accelerator.

“We’ve been so impressed with the high caliber of ideas that have been pitched to us over this stage of the program, making our job of selecting the best 10 extremely tough. It really is testament to the quality of innovative thinkers that we can find in Wales and around our borders that we’ve had so many applications,” said Michael Davies, Insight and Innovation Manager at TfW. “While the Lab offers a chance to celebrate this local talent, importantly it also presents the opportunity to develop and fast track any new ideas that can make a meaningful difference to passenger experience across our network.”

According to Davies, the new products will be tested with staff and customers starting April.

Winners will receive a contract to develop their solution that will be deployed across the Wales and Borders rail network operated by KeolisAmey.

Article Topics

accelerator program  |  artificial intelligence  |  biometrics  |  facial recognition  |  startup  |  TouchByte  |  transportation  |  video analytics