Purple Transform raised £4.5 million to make railway lines safer with the help of AI
AI data analytics startup Purple Transform has raised £4.5 million to expand its AI-powered railway safety system. The system has shown significant results in incident reduction. As a result, Purple Transform will leverage the funds to expand its operations.
Purple Transform, an AI data analytics company focused on railway safety, has secured £4.5 million in funding led by Mercia Ventures via the Midlands Engine Investment Fund II, and supported by Sure Valley Ventures.
Purple Transform's SiYtE system uses AI, machine learning, and computer vision to analyze data from CCTV cameras and IoT sensors, providing real-time alerts for potential risks on railway lines. Since the technology is hardware-agnostic, it supports older cameras and can be deployed without requiring equipment replacement.
SiYtE is installed across 900+ cameras and sensors in the UK rail network and has shown impressive results, including reporting numerous safety-related incidents. The British Transport Police has stated that it registered a 72% reduction in cycle thefts over three months at one site, and the Purple Transform is working with Lancaster University to understand if the system could make an impact in suicide prevention.
Purple Transform is based in Oxfordshire. It employs over 50 people, including some in the West Midlands, where an important customer is located. The funding will enable Purple Transform to establish a new technology and logistics center in the West Midlands. This will allow the company to create new jobs in the West Midlands and improve its access to major manufacturers as potential clients. As part of the negotiations, former Cisco UK and Ireland CEO Alex Brown has been appointed as company Chair.
