Voith Started Virtual Locomotive Acceptance

As part of the service agreement concluded with Lineas in April 2020, Voith started the major overhaul and other maintenance measures on a batch of Class 77 locomotives. In February 2021, locomotive 7708 was finished at Voith’s service facility in Kiel, this being the second of the batch of 30.

On account of the pandemic-related travel restrictions and to protect staff, the locomotive acceptance was conducted virtually for the first time. With the help of OnCall.Video, Voith’s digital tool for providing remote video support, the client was able to follow the entire acceptance in real time.

A high-resolution helmet camera transmitted the service activities performed on the locomotive to the customer in real time. Industrial-grade smart data glasses with integrated voice control and active noise cancellation ensured optimum communication despite the noisy environment and allowed interaction between the participants. In addition to passing on instructions and documents, the operator was also able to convey important information quickly to the service technician. 

Given the positive response and in view of the ongoing pandemic, Voith is planning to tap into other areas of application for OnCall.Video in conjunction with the servicing of rail vehicles. The expansion of the digital service portfolio will lead to greater flexibility and faster response times. In addition to saving CO₂ through less traveling, this can also significantly reduce downtimes at the customer’s site.