Madison Technologies wins AI award at Cisco partner event

Madison Technologies has been awarded the Artificial Intelligence Award at Cisco's 7th Annual Global Partner Innovation Challenge for its Camera-as-a-Sensor solution.

This solution utilises Cisco IoT technologies and demonstrates the potential of harnessing AI to enhance safety, boost efficiency, and provide critical insights in operational technology (OT) environments. The recognition marks Madison Technologies' second accolade in the competition, following its top position in the Global Digital Sustainability Challenge in 2022.

"We are incredibly proud to be recognised by Cisco for our commitment to innovation in safety technology," said Paul Calabro, CEO of Madison Technologies. "We believe in developing solutions that not only safeguard operational environments but also provide our customers with the intelligence needed for informed, proactive decision-making. This award emphasises our dedication to collaborating with industry leaders like Cisco to advance technology that makes a meaningful difference."

The AI Award, introduced this year, underscores Cisco's focus on developing AI solutions that address real-world challenges. It highlights Madison Technologies' leadership in applying AI to enhance safety at rail level crossings. The Camera-as-a-Sensor system employs AI and edge computing, using Cisco Meraki MV52 cameras and Cisco IR1101 Industrial IoT routers, alongside NVIDIA Jetson industrial PCs. This equipment actively monitors pedestrian and vehicle activity at railway crossings, prompting timely alerts in response to unsafe conditions such as malfunctioning signals.

"At Madison Technologies, our mission starts by understanding each customer's unique challenges," said Ash Khan, National Manager - Technology Solutions & Innovation at Madison Technologies. "Our solutions team is dedicated to identifying and addressing these pain points, allowing us to craft tailored solutions that precisely meet their needs. With this award-winning Camera-as-a-Sensor solution, we've combined Cisco's IoT technology, NVIDIA edge analytics, and our own expertise to deliver a scalable, AI-driven platform for real-time analysis, proactive insights, and alerts."

Traditional rail safety measures often depend on outdated systems that fail to detect specific risks at level crossings. Madison Technologies' system overcomes these limitations by delivering a smart, scalable solution that captures vital data on both vehicle and pedestrian movements. This data, enriched with AI insights, equips railway operators with actionable intelligence for managing traffic, planning maintenance, and enhancing safety measures.

"Our partnership with Cisco uniquely positions us at the forefront of integrating IoT into OT environments, where safety and operational reliability are paramount," said Daniel Stuckey, Cisco Program Lead at Madison Technologies. "We have the industry insight and technical depth to transform Cisco's IoT capabilities into tailored solutions that directly address the challenges faced by rail operators. We're proud to leverage this strength to support safety standards across critical infrastructure, making a real impact in the field."

Statistics from the TrackSAFE Foundation indicate 1,426 fatalities have occurred on Australia's heavy rail network from 2016 to 2023, including 165 vehicle collisions and 30 pedestrian incidents at level crossings. Madison Technologies' proactive detection and alerts are positioned as a vital enhancement to public safety standards.

Designed with scalability in mind, the Camera-as-a-Sensor solution can be deployed across diverse OT environments using Cisco's open platform. This allows seamless integration with existing infrastructure, enabling compliance with stringent Australian safety regulations without extensive operational overhauls.