UK rail SME MoniRail secures significant funding, as part of the UK Government’s landmark investment in quantum technology

UK rail SME MoniRail, as part of a collective of cross-industry groups, has secured significant funding to further develop its quantum navigation system for use on the London Underground. The project forms part of the UK Government’s wider investment in innovative quantum technologies, to unlock new opportunities.  

MoniRail is pleased to announce that is has secured additional funding of £1.25m as part of the Government’s investment in quantum technology across a range of sectors, from transport to healthcare, accounting for £14 million worth of government support.  

As part of the Rail Quantum Inertial Navigation System (RQINS) Project Maturity Roadmap Development, MoniRail has been assigned funding to further develop its quantum navigation system for use on the London Underground, and potentially the wider national rail network, to help trains run reliably and on time. The project is being done in collaboration with Transport for London, QinetiQ, PA Consulting, Imperial College London and University of Sussex.   

This funding is part of the National Quantum Technologies Showcase, which brings together thousands of researchers, investors, and global policymakers, to unlock quantum’s vast potential. The technology provides a range of benefits, from driving economic growth through to tackling key challenges such as transport, health and climate change, all central to the Plan for Change. It is anticipated that by 2045, quantum could contribute £11 billion to UK GDP and over 100,000 jobs.  

MoniRail has long been a proponent of quantum technology, advocating for the transformative impact it can deliver – particularly in train positioning, where the potential accuracy of quantum technology could significantly reduce maintenance costs and offer viable alternatives to traditional signalling systems.   

Born out of two decades of research at the Birmingham Centre for Railway Research and Education (BCRRE), MoniRail bridges the gap between academic innovation and industry needs. Its mission is to enhance maintenance strategies and improve network reliability through advanced condition monitoring systems.  

Using sensors installed on in-service trains, MoniRail provides a non-intrusive method of monitoring track condition and degradation. These sensors collect ride-quality data and detect both train- and track-related faults in real time.  

Peter Ainsworth, CEO at MoniRail, commented: “This funding marks an exciting milestone for the MoniRail team and our partners. It is a testament to the hard work that we have undertaken so far and highlights the advantages that quantum technology can deliver across a range of industries. We look forward to working further with London Underground further to develop our technology, helping to ease existing burdens and support the network to run efficiently and on time.”  

Steve Venables, Senior Engineer at Transport for London, said: “Being a partner in the RQINS project has highlighted the transformative potential of quantum navigation and the importance of continued investment and collaboration to bring these innovations to life. We commit our support and partnerships with industry and academia to deliver tangible benefits to the UK rail infrastructure, with a focus on real-world impact and long-term resilience. We look forward to being part of the development roadmap in this next phase of UKRI funding.”

Further information on the Government’s investment in quantum technology can be found here.