West Midlands based SME MoniRail, and its partners, have secured significant funding to further aid development and commercialisation of its quantum navigation system for use on London Underground, with the ability to locate train and track faults precisely, where satellite signals can’t reach.
As part of the Government’s investment focus on quantum technology in the UK. MoniRail has been awarded a contract from Innovate UK as part of the Quantum Missions Primer Phase 2 initiative.
MoniRail’s project builds on previous Innovate UK SBRI Quantum Catalyst funding which demonstrated the Rail Quantum Inertial Navigation System (RQINS) concept and its 2025 RQINS Product Maturity Roadmap Development Project as part of Innovate UK’s Contracts for Innovation: Quantum Sensors and PNT Missions Primer. This next phase of the project focuses on the implementation of the Product Maturity Roadmap to bring the first commercial version to market and develop the second phase solution.
MoniRail leads the consortium which brings together Imperial College London, University of Sussex and their spin-out company Spectomiq Ltd, PA Consulting, Transport for London (TfL), GBRX, Durham University and QinetiQ. Imperial and Sussex provide the novel quantum sensors that underpin the positioning system. QinetiQ will support the project by developing advanced map-matching capabilities along with Durham University who will be embedding software in hardware. Transport for London (TfL) is the direct end-user and will support the project by providing access to testing facilities and enabling live operational trials on the London Underground network for evaluation purposes. PA Consulting will contribute technical and system integration expertise.
The project is further supported by the involvement of GBRX, the strategic technology and innovation body for Great British Railways, which is working with the consortium to ensure the system is designed for application on the UK heavy rail networks.
Peter Ainsworth, CEO at MoniRail, said:Understanding train-position with high degrees of accuracy is critical for the ongoing safety of the railway. It means that a detected fault can be located and fixed quickly, reducing potential delays. The funding awarded as part of the Government’s investment in quantum technologies provides the key next step in the ongoing development and commercialisation of the RQINS concept and will help us to take it from proven concept to a commercially viable product that can be used on a live railway. Collaboration is always at the heart of our work at MoniRail and this project could not take place without our consortium partners, who each bring different expertise to the table. Working alongside TfL and GBRX from the outset will ensure the product is something that the railway can use.
Toufic Machnouk, Managing Director at GBRX, said:Quantum navigation is a highly consequential strategic technology for network systems like railways. The world’s first mainline test earlier this year was an important step in understanding how quantum navigation performs in the operating environment. This next phase will help us understand what it will take to engineer the technology for operational application, and to help us see how we can accelerate that development.
Chris McDonald, Science, Innovation and Investment Minister at the UK Government, said:Quantum has long been an exciting technology, but now real world applications are within our grasp. UK innovators are showing us what these breakthroughs could mean for our lives in the near future, from cutting down on train delays, to earlier appointments at in-demand areas of the NHS, to keeping our armed forces safe and connected as they protect our country. We’re backing teams across the UK to turn bright ideas into products that make a real difference, growing the economy, creating new jobs, and ensuring we can be leaders in Quantum technology for decades to come.
Further information on the Government’s investment in quantum technology can be found here.
About MoniRail
With over 50 years of combined rail experience, MoniRail is a results driven team of industry experts dedicated to delivering non-intrusive track monitoring solutions, supported by a deep understanding of rail infrastructure and its challenges.
Founded after 20 years of research into low-cost, vehicle-mounted sensor systems designed to measure track geometry and ride quality, MoniRail began as a spin-out company from Birmingham Centre for Railway Research and Education (BCRRE).
Following the successful testing of an initial prototype on an operational passenger train, MoniRail is now focused on commercialising the technology and its data analytics platform.
The core objective is to deliver a commercially robust solution that continuously monitors both track and train conditions. By detecting and identifying performance issues early, the system empowers train operators and infrastructure managers to make informed decisions about maintenance and investment, reducing downtime and improving safety.
About Innovate UK
Innovate UK is the UK’s national innovation agency. We back the nation’s most promising deep tech businesses in the UK’s priority sectors: providing the funding, expert support and connections that help them start, scale and stay in the UK. If you’re an innovative business ready to scale, we’re ready to back you.
This article was originally published by MoniRail.
