We are thrilled to share that our AI collaboration with TrainFX Ltd has been named AI Tech Innovation of the Year at the Made In the UK, Midlands Awards 2026 — a fantastic recognition of the hard work and vision that the entire team has poured into this project. You can also view the official event gallery for highlights from the evening.
The Project
By embedding Loughborough University’s AI research into the heart of the UK rail network, we have built a system that gives operators and passengers a clear, real-time / near real-time picture of occupancy in rail carriages.
The result?
- Better planning for rail operators
- Less congestion for passengers
- A much smoother journey for everyone on board
Innovate UK & the KTP
This achievement would not have been possible without the support of Innovate UK and the Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) framework, which continues to bridge the gap between academic research and real-world industrial impact.
Our work was highlighted in the awards booklet alongside other outstanding finalists in the AI Tech Innovation of the Year category — a testament to the strength of industry-academia collaboration in the UK.
The awards programme booklet, showcasing the TrainFX AI Passenger Counting System as a finalist in the AI Tech Innovation of the Year category.
On the Night
The ceremony was a wonderful evening celebrating the best of Midlands manufacturing and technology. Receiving the award on stage was a proud moment for everyone involved.
Accepting the AI Tech Innovation of the Year award at the Made In the UK, Midlands 2026 ceremony.
The Loughborough University Team
It was a brilliant evening for the Loughborough contingent. Here is the wider university team together at the awards night, celebrating a well-deserved win.
The Loughborough University team at the Made In the Midlands Awards 2026.
The Full Team
All the credit goes to the incredible people behind this work:
- Kamran · Innovate UK
- TrainFX Ltd team
- Loughborough University: Qingsong Han · Baihua Li · Qinggang Meng · Mohamad Saada · Sajanraj · Haibin Cai · Muneeb Ahamed · Qun Zhu · Yixiao
The full team on stage at the Made In the Midlands Awards 2026 — celebrating AI Tech Innovation of the Year.
