USW showcases groundbreaking innovations at rail industry conference

University of South Wales (USW) experts highlighted their knowledge at the Railway Industry Association (RIA) Innovation Conference, held recently at the International Convention Centre Wales in Newport.

The event, a gathering of leading engineers, entrepreneurs, and rail professionals, saw USW's groundbreaking research capture the attention of industry influencers from across the globe.

Under the co-ordination of Associate Professor Dr Jiping Bai; Dr Mabrouka Abuhmida, Senior Lecturer Computing and Mathematical Sciences; Dr Hammad Nazir, Senior Lecturer in Control Systems Engineering; and Senior Lecturer Dr  Leshan Uggalla, USW's experts showcased a suite of robotic solutions for the railway industry, which highlighted the University’s pivotal role in interdisciplinary research and practical problem-solving.

USW also highlighted its commitment to sustainability and smart technology, showcasing such things as agile Sumo Robots for industrial inspections, a Quadcopter prototype for aerial surveillance developed by a Masters student, and the popular K9 Robotic Dog, designed to navigate hazardous environments.

Also on show was the Milo Robot, a humanoid assistant for customer service roles – which sparked discussions about AI's potential in public health, an (Internet of Things) IoT-based Air Quality Monitoring Unit which demonstrated real-time environmental analytics, while the Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Prototype showcased applications in earth observation and climate resilience.

The Nano Cube Satellites also illustrated USW's venture into space technology, as part of a  global connectivity and data-driven infrastructure planning project.

Participants from leading rail firms, tech companies, and environmental institutions praised the practicality and scalability of USW's robotic systems. Others also noted the blend of creativity and technical excellence, addressing pressing challenges, ranging from safety to sustainability.

Dr Abuhmida emphasised the strategic value of the conference: “This event isn't just about exhibiting technology; it's about forging partnerships. The positive response reaffirms that our research aligns with industry needs.”

Dr Nazir added: "Engaging with industry leaders provided a valuable opportunity to showcase our work on sustainable energy systems and battery innovation."

PhD student Abdullah Hakimuddin, who demonstrated the robotics competition, said: "Seeing professionals grasp the impact of our work was incredibly rewarding."

Dr Jiping Bai added: "This is just the beginning. We're eager to translate this momentum into tangible advancements that benefit both the rail sector and society at large.

“At the event USW's innovations were already generating follow-up inquiries, with discussions underway for pilot projects and funding opportunities.

“The RIA event not only highlighted USW's research capacity but also cemented its reputation as a bridge between academia and industry. With its successful exhibition at RIA 2025, we have positioned USW at the forefront of technological advancement in robotic engineering applications.”