Listen to the full podcast segment on ”Mon Carnet” by Bruno Guglielminetti
Podcast duration : 9m 21s
Liette Lamonde, Executive Director of Prompt, talks with Laurent Ferrier, Director of Research and Innovation at Cégep de Sept-Îles and Associate Professor at UQAC, the University of Quebec at Chicoutimi. Holder of a PhD from UQAC in embedded systems and the Internet of Things, specializing in the use of communication protocols derived from the Internet of Things, such as Bluetooth, LoRaWAN, and Zigbee.
They present a collaborative project between ITMI, the Cégep Research Center, and the Pointe-Noire Railway and Port Company.
Discover the key points of the interview
Laurent, could you tell us about the expertise of ITMI, a college-level technology transfer center?
Laurent Ferrier: Of course. ITMI, or the Industrial Maintenance Technology Institute, specializes in the development of industrial maintenance systems and the prediction of industrial device failures.
Our project aims to track trains in real time, particularly in remote areas without satellite or network coverage. This system uses nanosatellites and tethered balloons to monitor trains, whether they are moving or stationary.
Can you explain the background to this innovation?
Laurent: The North Shore region of Quebec is characterized by intense mining activity. Iron ore is transported from mines in northern Quebec to the port of Sept-Îles for export. Transportation is carried out by long rail convoys, typically consisting of 130 to 240 railcars. It is crucial to be able to track these wagons at different reading points in order to optimize logistics and achieve financial gains.
What are the challenges related to telecommunications in these remote areas?
Laurent: Indeed, the North Shore is an isolated region, which poses challenges in terms of telecommunications and power supply. We have developed innovative solutions, such as the use of photovoltaic panels for energy and nanosatellites for telecommunications, to ensure the efficiency of our traceability systems.
What technologies did you use for this project?
Laurent Ferrier: Our innovation is very versatile. We have energy modules that use the electrical grid or renewable energy solutions, such as photovoltaic panels. The telecommunications brick is essential: we use LTE, Wi-Fi, and, in the absence of these networks, nanosatellites.
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What challenges did you encounter in this collaboration between academia and business?
Laurent Ferrier: The main challenge is to synchronize our efforts with those of the company for which we are implementing the system. Research and development projects can cause concern due to their uncertainty. However, by focusing on applied research, we are able to overcome these obstacles.
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What is the impact of this innovation?
Laurent Ferrier: This innovation brings significant economic gains for the railway company by improving the logistics of rail convoys. […]
