Services
Case studies
GoMedia, has won the Cross Industry Partnership category at the Railway Innovation Awards with their Transport Accessibility project.
The recent pandemic has shown the power of working across industry. The railway is a system and is therefore at its best when companies collaborate to improve the way it operates. The Transport Accessibility project was delivered in collaboration with, West Midlands 5G (WM5G), Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), West Midlands Metro, Vodafone, the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), Navilens and various partially sighted and blind communities.
Two million people living with visual impairments in the UK are unable to complete at least part of their journeys on public transport independently. Addressing this accessibility issue not only improves passenger satisfaction, it also reduces the estimated impact of sight loss on the UK economy that runs into tens of billions of pounds each year, which could be alleviated by getting the right information to visually impaired passengers at the right time.
GoMedia’s Transport Accessibility solution provides timely and accurate information to passengers who need additional assistance when travelling on the UK public transport network, either in the station or on the vehicle. Passengers simply hold up their smartphone. The device automatically recognises any NaviLens BIDI codes in view, connects to GoMedia’s live cloud-based passenger information system and delivers the desired information.
Previously the level of content-rich, location-based information needed was not possible due to a lack of the necessary technology and infrastructure. Relevant information is now being transmitted to passengers’ devices in the format that they require, over 5G cellular networks. The reduced latency of the 5G network increases the speed of delivery of data to personal devices, improving current location tools. The increased capacity of 5G supports data-rich experiences, enabling passengers to stream augmented reality (AR) location-based video content on a moving vehicle.
Read more about the collaborative projects Icomera and GoMedia have been involved in: https://bit.ly/3v5WJ6z
GoMedia, has won the Best Passenger Transport Entertainment Platform category at the Media Innovator Awards 2021.
GoMedia has developed a powerful onboard digital hub for operators to host a number of services accessible to passengers using their personal smart devices. Premium entertainment takes centre stage, featuring Hollywood movies, popular TV shows, breaking news and more. In addition to entertainment, GoMedia now offers Real Time Passenger Information and Onward Journey information creating a one stop digital engagement platform.
Roger Matthews, Managing Director at GoMedia: “We are delighted by this recognition of our entertainment platform and our team’s work with our transport partners. We look forward to continuing the development and realisation of many more innovative solutions that improve the public transport experience for passengers”.
GoMedia was acquired by Icomera in September 2020, and its technology seamlessly integrates with Icomera’s centralised connectivity platform, allowing a whole host of passenger-centric applications to be deployed from a single piece of hardware, delivering both cost efficiency and long-term reliability. The Media Innovator Awards, hosted by Corporate Vision Magazine, aim to acknowledge prestigious businesses, and individuals who have excelled within the industry. The judges based their decision on criteria such as client dedication, innovation, business growth, longevity, online reputation, customer feedback and business performance.
GoMedia, a subsidiary of Icomera and of EQUANS, the newly created leader in multi-technical services, is supporting three pioneering digital solutions to improve rail transport accessibility for the passengers with sight and hearing loss. The projects are funded by the Department for Transport through the £9m First of a Kind 2021 (FOAK21) competition, delivered by Innovate UK (part of UKRI), aimed at making the UK's rail network greener, cleaner, and more accessible through innovation.
With a significant number of competitive applications for the funding, GoMedia has once again demonstrated its trusted capability to deliver leading accessibility and digital solutions to the rail industry, leading 2 projects and providing significant support to a 3rd, out of only 30 high profile projects awarded.
The first initiative, Hearing Enhanced Audio Relay (HEAR) aims to improve accessibility for passengers with hearing loss on trains, through personal onboard announcements. This solution is widely supported by the UK’s train operators. When connected to the onboard Wi-Fi, these notifications can be heard or read via an app installed on users’ personal devices, keeping them updated with the journey information they need, in a format that they need. Project HEAR is set to begin live trials on Transport for Wales services in Q1 2022.
GoMedia's solution, Visor, improves accessibility in busy station environments for passengers with sight loss, by using technology powered by GoMedia’s real-time information capabilities. The application is developed in collaboration with the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) and makes use of NaviLens BIDI codes. Passengers can use their personal device to scan the specially designed NaviLens tag to get to the right platform in the most optimal, stress-free way. Project VIN’s test phase is set to take place from December 2021 to February 2022 on a Network Rail managed station.
GoMedia are also collaborating with augmented reality (AR) provider Skignz from November 2021. The project will leverage AR technology to provide live journey information, platform navigation, and the ability for staff and passengers to locate each other when assistance is needed, all by viewing intelligently placed in-app AR markers overlaid on their smart device’s screen.
Roger Matthews, GoMedia’s Managing Director, said: "GoMedia is excited to further demonstrate its leadership in multilingual digital accessibility solutions through its contributions to FOAK2021. More than 60% of passengers with accessibility needs do not attempt or struggle to make independent journeys on public transport. Addressing this accessibility issue will not only improve passenger satisfaction, it can also reduce the estimated impact of sight loss on the UK economy that runs into tens of billions of pounds per year.”
Peter Kingsland, Icomera's Senior Vice President for UK, Asia & Australia Regions, added:
"Improving passenger accessibility on public transport is vital to the UK Government and the rail industry, as exemplified by FOAK2021.
GoMedia’s work in improving the digital passenger experience through innovation is a perfect extension of Icomera’s mission to make public transport a more attractive option than other, less sustainable means of transport.”
“EQUANS’ purpose is to power, protect and connect people. Through GoMedia’s projects, we are pleased to carry out this mission and provide our clients with solutions tailored to each of their customers’ needs. Ensuring easy and safe access to public transportation for all is essential and digital solutions, which allow for personalised and at hand support for each customer, help make that happen”. concludes Pierre Hardouin, Managing Director of EQUANS France.
In February 2021, tram 35 from West Midlands Metro in England became the first fully-realised 5G enabled tram - part of a trial undertaken by West Midlands Metro (WMM), West Midlands 5G (WM5G), GoMedia and its parent company Icomera (ENGIE Solutions).
The tram and a number of tram stops have been equipped with an innovative trial Transport Accessibility solution which can be rolled out to public transport without the need for expensive electronic hardware solutions.
Transport Accessibility looks to solve the problem of a lack of real-time information for those who need more help when travelling on the UK public transport network.
The focus of the trial is to increase the number of independent journeys that passengers with blindness and sight loss can make whilst travelling across the public transport network. Developed in collaboration with the Royal National Institute of the Blind (RNIB), it will provide timely and accurate information to passengers who need additional assistance while in a station or on the transport network. Relevant information is transmitted to passengers’ devices in the format that they require, over 5G cellular networks
Future tertiary benefits of the solution include services for all passengers such as live tv, live radio and streamed content across the network.
Roger Matthews – Managing Director of GoMedia: ‘’Our Vision and Transport Accessibility solution proves that we want to bring the best solutions to our transport clients. Together with our partners and our Passenger Information System we are able to bring revolutionary products to our clients.’’
Chris Holmes, Programme Director – Transport at WM5G said: “We are really pleased to be awarding funding to projects that we truly believe – when proven – will transform transport within the region. We look forward to seeing what our new partners deliver and will support them in the realisation of real and tangible benefits.”
John Worsfold, Innovation and Technology Implementation Manager at RNIB, said: “Technology has and continues to open up the world for people with sight loss, and this opportunity has the potential to increase access to relevant information whilst travelling for blind and partially sighted people.
“We’re delighted to be supporting this initiative in raising the bar of independently accessing information whilst making journeys, and the benefits this will bring for people with sight loss in the West Midlands.”
The solution will be demonstrated in Q1 2021 on a West Midlands Metro tram. If you are interested to see a demonstration of the live trial, you can contact GoMedia at enquiries@gomedia.io
8th December, London: West Midlands Trains, operator of the West Midlands Railway and London Northwestern Railway, has deployed a new real-time information and onboard entertainment solution developed by GoMedia, in association with its parent company Icomera (ENGIE Solutions).
Simply by connecting their smart device to the West Midlands Railway / London Northwestern Railway “Loop Wi-Fi” portal, West Midlands Trains’ passengers can take advantage of the new “Live Train Progress” feature to view real-time station calling times (taking into account any service disruption) and live departure information for any onward connections. In addition, those travelling are able to enjoy a range of entertainment content, including fantastic TV shows, exciting movie trailers, and the latest sport, news and weather updates.
...taking away the uncertainty about where they are in their journey.
Jonny Wiseman, Customer Experience Director at West Midlands Railway, said: “With planning ahead so vital in these uncertain times, this latest initiative is just one of the steps we’re taking to help customers travel with confidence.” Lawrence Bowman, Customer Experience Director at London Northwestern Railway, added: “With free Wi-Fi already available across our entire fleet, passengers can simply log on and see where the train is on the route and what time it arrives at each station, taking away the uncertainty about where they are in their journey.”
Roger Matthews, Managing Director at GoMedia, stated: “We’re pleased to have worked together with West Midlands Railway and London Northwestern Railway on these new passenger-focused projects. Providing real-time information and onboard entertainment is a proven way to help make public transport more attractive, simplifying journey planning and making trips more enjoyable for passengers.”
12th October 2020 – GoMedia, along with its new parent company, Icomera (ENGIE Solutions) and Wordnerds have been awarded one of the West Midlands 5G (WM5G) innovation grants to deliver a revolutionary passenger feedback solution (Vision) for the transport industry.
Vision will enable operators to access measurable and actionable passenger feedback. The partnership will deliver onboard and cloud-based tools and processes. GoMedia’s contextual passenger feedback and Wordnerds AI-led sentiment analysis tool gives operators passenger feedback as they have never received before.
Transport operators will have access to dashboards and trends of passenger feedback on different levels, for example; per train type, per journey or per time of day. There is even an alert tool that automatically warns the operator of priority issues.
According to Pete Daykin – CEO of Wordnerds: ‘’Together with GoMedia we are able to deliver an AI-led system – designed to improve passenger experiences and safety – providing intelligence in interpretation of live customer feedback over 5G. Immediate problems can be resolved and a database of categorised issues will provide insights for the operator to improve services. This will enhance the traveller experience by improving the products and services available to passengers across the transport system.’’
Roger Matthews – Managing Director of GoMedia: ‘’Our partnership with Wordnerds proves that we want to bring the best solutions to our transport operator clients. Together with Wordnerds’ AI sentiment analysis tools and our Passenger Information System we are able to bring a revolutionary feedback system to our clients.’’
The solution will be demonstrated in Q1 2021 on a West Midlands Metro tram. If you are interested to see a demonstration of the live trial, you can contact GoMedia at enquiries@gomedia.io
A trial in Birmingham has been conducted together with the support of WM5G and Icomera. On this trial live CCTV footage can be streamed real-time from the tram to a control centre. The trial proves that no manual intervention is needed to get CCTV footage of a vehicle. A log is created into the dashboard environment where historic CCTV footage can be viewed as well.
GoMedia is leading the front of 5G innovative solutions and proves itself again to be the leader of delivering digital transport solutions, including its well acclaimed Passenger Information System and On-Board Entertainment.
28 July 2020, London: Passengers travelling onboard Avanti West Coast trains will now have access to personalised journey information through the operator’s complimentary infotainment platform, provided by GoMedia.
The new offering – known as Track my Train – provides users with up-to-date news regarding their journey, such as accurate arrival and departure times and platform numbers and offers the passenger the opportunity to feedback on the serviced via a survey link.
Bob Powell, Customer Proposition Director at Avanti West Coast, said: “We know how important it is for our customers to stay informed during their journey and Track My Train helps to do just that. This new service makes it easier for customers to follow their train’s progress while onboard, by providing concise and reliable information, tailored to journeys in real-time, at the tap of a screen.
“It has been great to work with GoMedia to develop this technology and we’re excited to offer it as part of our latest initiative to enhance the overall experience when travelling with us.”
Track my Train is reached via the Avanti Wi-Fi “Onboard hub” Portal straight to passengers’ personal devices. On the same platform, via the menu users can access Avanti Media and watch Hollywood films such as ‘Aquaman’ and ‘Deadpool 2’, TV shows such as ‘Modern Family’ and ‘Friends’, and read more than 22 popular magazines and newspapers, while enjoying gaming and children’s content.
Roger Matthews, managing director at GoMedia, adds: “Providing passengers with real-time information about their individual route, including connections and stations, creates a truly personalised experience, giving users control over their entire journey, door-to-door. This is now more important than ever with changing restrictions on the way we use public transport”
If browsing the fridge has become your latest pastime (us too), then fear not. Our content partner UKTV has plenty of shows to satisfy your hunger, including ‘Big Zuu’s Big Eats’, featuring grime artist Big Zuu travelling the UK as he whips up post-show meals for the nation’s favourite comedians, including Jimmy Carr and Rosie Jones.
For two years, we’ve partnered with UKTV to bring the best of British comedy and entertainment to rail passengers on board TransPennine Express, Avanti West Coast and West Midlands, South Western and Chiltern Railways.
Fuel your mind, as well as your stomach with episodes from ‘Comedians Giving Lectures’, ‘Judge Romesh’ and ‘Jon Richardson: Ultimate Worrier’, available through the UKTV Play app. While many of us continue to work from home, we wish all key workers, and those making essential journeys by train, a safe trip.
GoMedia adds Covid messaging to its Entertainment and Information platform around the World.
Entertainment was the stimulus for GoMedia’s creation back in 2015 and over the last five years we have partnered with the world’s leading transport operators to deliver high-quality onboard entertainment.
Cross-Channel operator Eurostar was one of our very first customers. Since then we’ve been proud to celebrate plenty more firsts: unveiling our Passenger Information Service (PIS) with TransPennine Express; the UK rail industry’s first real-time journey information solution; our first spoken word deal, bringing Audible content to Greyhound Buses, enhanced passenger information with SBB and most recently, our first US rail partnership with the Capitol Corridor.
Over the last couple of years we’ve also turned our attention to helping operators deliver a more connected and informed passenger experience, so travellers can access live departure and arrival times and plan their onward journey through the GoMedia onboard platform, from Q3 this will be live across 4 continents.
With the current challenges in transport we have been working with our partners to assist the move back to public transport focussed on two main areas:
We are very much in this together, and are committed to working with the industry through these difficult times.
