Expanding the proven ARGOS^® platform with breakthrough, EMC-immune FBG sensor technology to extend railway asset life, reduce false alarms and eliminate track-possession installation bottlenecks

Hottinger Brüel & Kjær (HBK), a global leader in precision measurement and testing solutions, has announced the launch of ARGOS^® NewLight, a revolutionary fibre-optic sensor layer designed to modernise wayside train monitoring.

It combines advanced Fibre Bragg Grating (FBG) optical technology with HBK’s industry-trusted analytics;

As railway infrastructure managers and operators face growing traffic volumes, ageing networks and tighter operational budgets, the pressure to transition from reactive to predictive maintenance has never been higher. ARGOS^® NewLight addresses these challenges head-on by introducing high-precision fibre-optic sensors that integrate directly into the existing ARGOS^® software and reporting backend. The solution gives operators “new eyes” to measure track and wheel conditions with absolute accuracy and eliminates the high costs and disruptions of rail replacement.

Breaking the Limits of Traditional Monitoring

Unlike traditional inspection methods or ageing competitor technologies that rely on complex, glued strain gauges or high-cost sleeper replacements, ARGOS^® NewLight introduces a robust, easy-to-install fibre-optic sensor layer. Designed to withstand the harshest rail environments, the system offers:

• Complete electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) immunity: Because the sensors utilise optical technology rather than electricity, they are completely immune to traction currents, lightning strikes and electromagnetic interference (EMI), eliminating the false alarms and surge protection hardware common with older technologies

• Rapid, POS-free installation: Sensors are bonded directly (either flat or contoured) to the existing rail web. With no rail replacement or welding required, infrastructure managers can bypass costly track possession requirements, drastically reducing installation time and complexity

• Flexible, long-distance architecture: ARGOS^® NewLight supports distances of up to 1 km between trackside FBG sensors and equipment cabinets, offering unmatched deployment flexibility

• No operator retraining: The hardware upgrade works seamlessly with the existing ARGOS^® database, analytics, and user interfaces, ensuring immediate return on investment and a zero-friction adoption curve

Measurable Business Value 

ARGOS^® NewLight supports a comprehensive range of certified applications, including Weigh-in-Motion (WIM), Wheel Impact Load Detection (WILD), Out-of-Roundness (OOR) monitoring and Running Behaviour Measurement (RBM).

When paired with the AI-assisted diagnostics of HBK Monitor360, the system transforms real-world physical measurements into highly actionable predictive insights. In real-world customer applications, this predictive capability has extended wheel lifespans by over 50%, increasing wheel mileage from approximately 1 million to 1.5 million kilometres, while drastically minimising unexpected service disruptions.

“We are incredibly proud to showcase ARGOS^® NewLight to the global railway community at InnoTrans 2026,” said . “Modern rail operators are being asked to do more with less. By bringing next-generation fibre-optic technology to our proven, trusted ARGOS^® platform, we are delivering an elegant, cost-effective solution. It provides the high-precision data operators need to transition to true predictive maintenance, extend asset lifespans, and safeguard their networks against costly, unplanned track closures”.

Experience ARGOS^® NewLight at InnoTrans 2026, Hall 23b,  Booth 315

HBK will deliver dedicated presentations and host interactive demonstrations, showcasing the ARGOS^® NewLight and HBK Monitor360 predictive ecosystem at InnoTrans 2026 taking place at Messe Berlin, from 22 to 25 September 2026.

Visitors can meet HBK’s railway experts to discover how this scalable monitoring concept can be tailored to customers’ specific operational needs and budgets.

To schedule a meeting or learn more about HBK’s railway monitoring portfolio,

visit www.hbkworld.com/rail