TBM Staff - Mumbai In a significant move to enhance passenger experience, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has unveiled a cutting-edge machine that employs artificial intelligence (AI) to sort dirty linens with stains and damages before they are packed. This innovation aims to address frequent complaints from passengers about unclean linens provided during their journeys.
Indian Railways utilises approximately six lakh linen packets daily, each containing two bedsheets, a pillow cover, a hand towel, and a blanket. The newly introduced machine, located in Pune, uses high-resolution cameras to capture detailed images of the linens, ensuring high accuracy in identifying any stains or damages. This AI-driven machine is the first of its kind and marks the beginning of a nationwide rollout to all 80 mechanised laundries across India.
Currently, only 2 percent of the linens are sample-checked, leading to occasional instances of unclean linens being distributed to passengers. The new machine aims to resolve this issue by checking every piece of linen, recording, and storing data about stains and damages to ensure passengers receive thoroughly cleaned items.
The process starts with manually loading bedsheets onto a conveyor system. As the linens move through the detection area at a controlled speed, high-resolution cameras capture detailed images. Advanced machine learning software then analyses these images to identify any stains or damages with 100 percent accuracy. This system guarantees that passengers will receive properly cleaned and well-maintained linens on their journeys.
This innovative step is part of a broader effort by Indian Railways to improve the quality of its services and enhance passenger satisfaction.
