Today the Transit Tech Lab — a public-private initiative created by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and the Partnership Fund for New York City to accelerate innovation in public transportation — announced that it has selected 18 companies to collaborate with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA)¹, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ)², NYC Department of Transportation (NYC DOT), NJ TRANSIT (NJT), and NYC Department of Design and Construction (DDC) as part of the program’s eighth annual challenge cycle. This year’s two challenges are focusing on technologies designed to help the transit agencies improve infrastructure management, modernize data, and update workflow processes.

The participating companies will conduct proofs of concept over an eight-week period of collaboration with agency partners. The agencies may then opt to further test promising technology through a longer-term pilot.

From frontline operators to executives, personnel at every level from our partnering transit agencies are deeply involved at every stage of the program. Over 100 staff across the participating agencies identified the program’s challenges for the year. Over 300 public sector operational staff and leaders then explored potential solutions through a rigorous evaluation period that included in-person pitch and demo days. The 18 participating companies were chosen from 138 applications. Seven companies participating this year are based in New York City.

Since its inception in 2018, the Transit Tech Lab has been successful at helping our agency partners identify and apply new technology to deliver more effective services. During that time, more than 1,000 companies have applied to participate in the program, 81 companies have tested their technologies, and 22 solutions have commercially scaled.  

AI-powered technologies have been core to the Transit Tech Lab since its first challenges in 2018. This year is no different. More than half of the participating companies will seek to utilize AI and autonomous technologies to create smarter, more efficient networks and processes. 

The 2026 Cohort

Data & Workflow Modernization Challenge 

Automotus (Los Angeles, CA) – Computer vision-enabled, pole-mounted cameras that leverage AI to monitor vehicle activity at terminal curbs and city curbs, enabling airports and cities to reduce congestion, improve safety and customer experience, and increase revenue through automated payment and enforcement of curb and right-of-way rules. (Lead agency: PANYNJ Aviation)

contextere (Ottawa, Canada) – Industrial Insight Engine that connects to an agency's existing data systems (maintenance logs, schedules, sensor feeds) and applies operational context (asset, role, task) to provide frontline workers plain-language answers and recommendations to improve service reliability and reduce downtime. (Lead agency: MTA B&T)

Cyvl (Boston, MA) – Mounts cameras and sensors on vehicles that drive road networks to automatically detect potholes, cracks, and other pavement problems, replacing slow manual inspections with a continuously updated, searchable map of infrastructure conditions. (Lead agency: PANYNJ Engineering, Port)

Hazel (New York City, NY) – AI-powered procurement tool that helps government agencies draft solicitations, find qualified vendors, and evaluate bids in a fraction of the time it takes today, while keeping staff in control of every decision. (Lead agency: MTA LIRR)

In A Blink (Montreal, Canada) – Uses light-based (photonic) wireless technology to transfer an entire day's worth of onboard video and sensor data from a transit vehicle in a few minutes, unlocking data that today sits trapped on buses and trains. (Lead agency: MTA NYCT)

Ironloop (New York City, NY) – Software platform that monitors the configuration of critical control systems (like SCADA and PLCs) to catch cybersecurity risks and compliance gaps before they become incidents. (Lead agency: MTA HQ)

Ontra Mobility (New York City, NY) – AI transit planning platform that leverages ridership, scheduling, and operations data to predict travel demand, recommend service design, and  optimize timetables under real-world budget and fleet constraints. (Lead agency: MTA NYCT, LIRR)

VIATechnik Voyager (Chicago, IL) – Digital Twin platform that centralizes access and enables AI-powered insights across Building Information Modeling (BIM) drawings, asset records, reality capture, equipment documents, portfolio attributes, and live streaming IoT data so facility teams can find information and make more effective maintenance & operations decisions. (Lead agency: PANYNJ Engineering)

Voicd (Boothwyn, PA) – Voice analysis technology solution that uses AI to verify speaker identity, detect deepfake audio, and flag potential threats in real time across secure communications and public safety channels. (Lead agency: MTA HQ, PANYNJ Security)

Advanced Infrastructure Challenge

Delphisonic (Wayne, NJ) – Installs rugged onboard vibration/temperature sensors on railcar components and runs edge-based AI to detect mechanical degradation early, preventing in-service failures and cutting fleet lifecycle costs. (Lead agency: PANYNJ PATH)

Duos Technologies (Jacksonville, FL) – AI-powered trackside imaging system that captures high-resolution scans of rolling stock at speed and automatically detects mechanical defects and anomalies within seconds, available in both fixed and portable configurations for transit fleet inspection. (Lead agency: MTA NYCT, LIRR)

Dynamic Infrastructure (New York City, NY) – AI platform that transforms inspection reports and imagery into actionable infrastructure intelligence detecting defects, tracking deterioration, forecasting and prioritizing high-value maintenance decisions across infrastructure networks. (Lead agencies: MTA C&D and NYCT, PANYNJ PATH) 

Enspi Technologies (Minneapolis, MN) – Builds a real-time digital twin of transit power and OT systems, using AI to detect anomalies, predict failures, and map cybersecurity vulnerabilities across traction power infrastructure. (Lead agency: MTA NYCT)

Orbit Exchange (New York City, NY) – Online marketplace for reclaimed construction materials, making it easier and faster to buy, sell, and reuse salvaged, refurbished, and surplus materials while also reducing waste from the construction and demolition sector. (Lead agency: PANYNJ Sustainability, Engineering)

Praedico (Boston, MA) – Predictive software that spatially aligns track and infrastructure data over time to give rail operators a single, reliable view of asset condition for smarter maintenance and capital planning. (Lead agency: MTA NYCT, LIRR)

Strobe Power (Brooklyn, NY) – Autonomously operates behind-the-meter batteries, solar, generators, and EV charging at commercial and industrial sites to reduce facility energy costs and earn grid services, live in NYISO. (Lead agency: MTA NYCT, C&D)

T2D2 (New York City, NY) – Computer vision platform that analyzes inspection imagery from cameras or drones to automatically detect corrosion, cracks, and water penetration on physical assets and track deterioration over time. (Lead agency: PANYNJ Engineering, Aviation)

Viatec (Piedmont, CA) – Modular battery systems that retrofit onto existing work trucks to eliminate engine idling at job sites, cutting emissions, noise, and operating costs, with 700+ units deployed across 100+ utilities and municipalities. (Lead agency: MTA NYCT, C&D)

In addition to the Transit Tech Lab, the Partnership Fund operates the Environmental Tech Lab, established in 2023 in partnership with New York City’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), and the Buildings Tech Lab, launched in 2024 in collaboration with the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB). The Labs aim to invest in companies and programs that advance the application of new technologies to address urban challenges, including helping government agencies deliver services more effectively. To date, our three Labs have addressed 23 challenges, powered 222 real-world technology tests, and built a thriving network of 98 alumni companies.

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¹The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) includes the six following participating operating agencies: Bridges and Tunnels (B&T), Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), New York City Transit (NYCT), MTA Headquarters (HQ), Construction & Development (C&D), and Metro North Railroad (MNR)

²The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) includes the five following participating departments: Aviation, Port, PATH, Engineering, and Security