December 6, 2025: The Mumbai Metro has introduced an indigenously developed AI-based Wheel Profile Measurement System (AWPMS) to improve real-time maintenance and operational efficiency across its network. According to PTI, this marks the first deployment of the system in the city, with installations now active on Metro Lines 2A and 7.
Developed by IntelliRail, the technology uses a combination of sensors, lasers, and machine vision to detect wheel wear, profile changes, or potential damage, and then recommend timely repair or replacement. The company said the system enhances safety, extends wheel life, and reduces pressure on tracks by providing continuous diagnostics that help prevent unplanned outages.
IntelliRail said its IntelliWPMS works as a trackside setup equipped with high-precision cameras and sensor modules that capture detailed wheel parameters. The firm noted that machine vision significantly improves both the speed and the accuracy of assessments while reducing reliance on manual inspection. IntelliRail CEO Piyush Nigam said the installation represents a major milestone for the company and aligns with the Make in India initiative. He added that plans for large-scale deployment of WPMS systems in the metro sector have been under discussion for nearly five years.
The company highlighted that the system’s non-contact measurement ensures equipment safety while delivering high accuracy—around 0.5 mm for wheel profiles and 1.0 mm for wheel diameter—critical for identifying early-stage irregularities. Installed at the Charkop depot, AWPMS is part of a broader diagnostic upgrade by Maha Mumbai Metro Operation Corporation Limited (MMMOCL). The overall package has been supplied by BEML with support from the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC).
IntelliRail noted that AWPMS supports India’s shift from periodic to condition-based maintenance, with remote monitoring, sensors, and data analytics becoming essential tools for improving asset reliability. As Indian metro systems prepare for more unmanned train operations, real-time diagnostics like WPMS are expected to play a central role.
The company said the installation requires minimal civil work, and edge computing enables instant analysis as trains pass over the system. Alerts are sent through SMS or email whenever wheel parameters exceed predefined safety thresholds.
Source: ET Infra
