Indian Railways has just opened the doors to one of the most exciting technology collaboration opportunities in recent times. The Research Designs & Standards Organisation (RDSO) has invited Expressions of Interest (EoI) from technology providers and rail innovators to co-develop next-generation Acoustic-Based Rail Bearing Defect Detection (ABD) Systems—a critical safety and reliability solution for modern railways.

What’s the Opportunity?

RDSO is seeking innovative partners to design, prototype, deploy, and validate Acoustic Bearing Detection systems that can identify axle bearing defects before they lead to failures. These systems are proposed for deployment at:

Rolling Stock Bearing Overhaul Workshops, and Track-side installations for real-time operational monitoring.

This is not just a pilot—it is a structured, stage-wise proto-deployment and validation program, clearly defining:

Technical and functional requirements

  • Controlled environment trials
  • Track-side operational validation
  • Performance benchmarks for false positives, false negatives, consistency, and uptime
The EoI provides a transparent, fair, and open-ended framework, encouraging multiple technology solutions and offering innovators a genuine pathway from prototype to future large-scale procurement by Indian Railways.

The EoI document is accessible here: Download EOI Document

Why This Matters for Technology Providers

  • Direct collaboration with Indian Railways & RDSO
  • Opportunity to validate technology at scale in one of the world’s largest rail networks
  • Clear stage-wise payment structure linked to successful milestones
  • Strong focus on indigenous innovation, standardization, and long-term deployment
  • Potential eligibility for future nationwide roll-outs post successful validation

RDSO has also laid out detailed requirements covering data accuracy, system reliability, harsh outdoor operations, cybersecurity, maintenance obligations, and long-term performance—making this a serious opportunity for mature and emerging rail-tech companies alike.

Call to Action

At the Rail Chamber, we sincerely encourage technology providers, startups, OEMs, AI/ML companies, sensor developers, and rail system integrators to:
  • Review the EoI in detail
  • Leverage this opportunity to collaborate with RDSO
  • Develop and validate cutting-edge ABD solutions for Indian Railways
Please share this opportunity within your network or forward it to anyone who may be interested in rail safety, predictive maintenance, and railway innovation.

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Opportunities like this don’t come every day—and they don’t come from one country alone.

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