Objective The final aim of Wheel Watcher project is to boost the profitability of the railway sector by means of an advanced wheel status monitoring and control system, providing railway operators with accurate and real-time information on wheel wear to drive preventive maintenance actions thus avoiding premature replacement of this equipment.Main industrial impact of the project is to achieve a wheel life increase of 50%, and an increase of 25% of distance between wheel reprofiling actions, allowing the railway operator for conducting a remote but in-depth inspection of wheels. This industrial impact involves a subsequent relevant economic impact, targeting a cost reduction of 25% in maintenance-related costs as a result of less spare wheels and less low value-added works needed.These industrial impacts rely on relevant technical progresses: a high precision mechatronic platform addressing mechanical challenges derived of its wayside placement, a remote measuring unit comprising an ad-hoc thermoelectric cell guaranteeing thermal stability under potential extreme weather conditions, and a novel laser system doubling current power density available, able to measure trains moving at high speeds in outdoor locations, and a user-friendly control software including a self-diagnosis tool. WheelWatcher will have a deep impact on project’s partners, producing an aggregate profit of 23 M€ with more than 35 new jobs expected to be created, and a positive environmental impact due to less CO2 and less scrap.Excellence of the project will allow for dramatic improvements regarding the more relevant challenges faced by railway operators, as compared to the current state-of-the-art: automated high frequency wheel measuring, enhanced quality of measurements at normal speed (100 km/h) irrespective of weather conditions, remote monitoring without costly displacements to the tracks, no need of service disruption during measuring processes, and as consequence of all, a cut on operating costs. Fields of science natural sciencescomputer and information sciencessoftwareengineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringcontrol systemsengineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringenergy and fuelsrenewable energyengineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringsensorsoptical sensorsnatural sciencesphysical sciencesopticslaser physics Programme(s) H2020-EC - Horizon 2020 Framework Programme Main Programme H2020-EU.3. - PRIORITY 'Societal challenges H2020-EU.2. - PRIORITY 'Industrial leadership' Topic(s) FTIPilot-1-2015 - Fast Track to Innovation Pilot Call for proposal H2020-FTIPilot-2015-1 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme IA - Innovation action Coordinator DANOBAT Net EU contribution € 698 372,50 Address POLIGONO INDUSTRIAL ARRIAGA 21 20870 Elgoibar Spain See on map Region Noreste País Vasco Gipuzkoa Activity type Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 997 675,00 Participants (4) Sort alphabetically Sort by Net EU contribution Expand all Collapse all DR NEUMANN PELTIER-TECHNIK GMBH Germany Net EU contribution € 343 176,75 Address GAUTINGER STRASSE 45 82061 NEURIED See on map SME The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed. Yes Region Bayern Oberbayern München, Landkreis Activity type Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 490 252,50 PROPHOTONIX LIMITED United Kingdom Net EU contribution € 361 932,38 Address PIERCE WILLIAMS SPARROW LANE CM22 7BA HATFIELD BROAD OAK See on map SME The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed. Yes Region East of England Essex West Essex Activity type Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 517 046,25 SOCIEDAD PUBLICA EUSKO TRENBIDEAK FERROCARRILES VASCOS S.A. Spain Net EU contribution € 121 100,00 Address ATXURI 6 48006 BILBAO See on map Region Noreste País Vasco Bizkaia Activity type Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 173 000,00 IDEKO S COOP Spain Net EU contribution € 540 750,00 Address CALLE ARRIAGA 2 20870 Elgoibar See on map Region Noreste País Vasco Gipuzkoa Activity type Research Organisations Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 540 750,00