Post by Adithya Sipkaduwa

During my training at the Arthur C. Clarke Institute for Modern Technologies (ACCIMT), I took on the challenge of developing a Railway Elephant Detection System. This was not just a research project; it was an industrial-scale automation initiative designed to address the critical issue of elephant–train collisions in Sri Lanka. My role spanned the entire development lifecycle, from initial circuit design to field deployment on the S13 power set (Batticaloa route). Technical Contributions & Automation Focus, Embedded System Architecture: Led the development of the core control system, ensuring robust performance in a rugged railway environment. Hardware Engineering: Executed comprehensive PCB design and hardware development, ensuring electrical reliability for sensitive components. System Integration & Automation: Spearheaded the mechanical assembly and full system integration, enabling a fully automated response cycle when threats were detected. Precision Control: Implemented advanced coding for stepper motor control using the DMD556 driver, ensuring high-torque, precise movement of the sensor assembly. Sensor & Thermal Interface: Managed thermal camera mounting, complex wiring configurations, and signal processing to ensure accurate, real-time data acquisition. Data Science & Validation: Conducted extensive thermal data collection and analysis to train and fine-tune machine learning models, followed by rigorous real-world field testing on the S13 train to validate system accuracy. Key Technical Competencies Gained: ⚡ Embedded Systems Development 🔌 Custom PCB Design & Hardware Integration 📊 Real-time Thermal Data Analysis 🧠 Applied AI/ML in Industrial Environments ⚙️ Industrial Automation & Actuator Control This project taught me that successful automation is not just about the code-it is about the synergy between hardware, robust mechanical design, and high-quality data. I am proud to have turned this research into a functional, life-saving solution for our railways. Check out the video below to see the hardware, the integration, and the system in action! 👇 Interested in more of my work? Visit my research Blog: 👉 https://lnkd.in/dQ_bBCD9 #Automation #EmbeddedSystems #ArtificialIntelligence #PCBDesign #Robotics #MachineLearning #ThermalImaging #WildlifeConservation #Engineering #Innovation #ACCIMT #IndustrialAutomation #SystemIntegration #RailwaySafety #HardwareEngineering

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