NYC Subway Uses Pixel Phones and AI to Revolutionize Track Inspections

The MTA is testing TrackInspect, a revolutionary system using Google Pixel phones mounted on subway cars. The phones' microphones and motion sensors collect vibration and sound data, which is then AI-analyzed on Google Cloud to pinpoint track defects. The pilot program yielded 335 million sensor readings, and AI accurately identified 92% of defects confirmed by human inspectors. This innovative approach promises fewer delays, faster repairs, and a more reliable subway system, potentially transforming track inspections across the network.