Westermo launches modular computing platform for railway applications based on open ModBlox7 standard

New Hyrax-1000 system combines rugged, scalable hardware with extensive connectivity for demanding industrial environments

Västerås, July 22, 2025 – Westermo has introduced the Hyrax-1000, a robust, modular computing platform that offers flexible performance scaling through various CPU options. Developed according to the open ModBlox7 standard, the Hyrax-1000 is an individually configurable BoxPC with mass storage capacity, ideally suited for railway applications. Despite its compact design, it features a comprehensive set of interfaces in the basic version, including Gigabit Ethernet, RS232/422/485, DisplayPort and USB 3.0. Thanks to its modular architecture, the system can be expanded with up to seven interface or communication modules, enabling highly tailored configurations. The versatile housing design allows for DIN rail, wall, and 19” rack mounting, ensuring easy integration across a wide range of industrial environments. Developed in compliance with the railway standard EN 50155, the Hyrax-1000 is maintenance-free and can be deployed in an operating temperature range from -40°C to +70°C.  It provides a flexible, future-ready solution for train manufacturers, railway operators, and system integrators seeking alternatives to proprietary BoxPC systems. Driving Modular Innovation in Industrial Computing Today’s industrial computing market is largely dominated by rigid, proprietary systems that struggle to meet modern requirements for compactness, low weight, and cost-efficiency, performance and interface flexibility. Addressing these limitations, the ModBlox7 standard - developed by PICMG, a non-profit consortium of over 130 member companies - introduces an open, modular platform architecture optimized for scalable embedded systems. By eliminating the need for complex components such as backplanes or shelf controllers, ModBlox7 significantly reduces system costs while maintaining flexibility and performance. This allows manufacturers to create cost-effective and adaptable computing solutions that can evolve with changing application needs. Westermo Helps Shape the ModBlox7 Standard Today, more than ever, an open standard is essential for modern embedded systems – one that combines the advantages of traditional system designs with those of BoxPCs. This requires a standardized form factor, including suitable mounting options as well as clearly defined interfaces between the functional units within the BoxPC. This approach is supported by PICMG and its member companies. The consortium continues to drive the development of embedded computing specifications, including the new ModBlox7 form factor, and promotes the adoption of open standards across a wide range of embedded computing applications. Westermo played a leading role in defining the new specification, collaborating with 18 industry partners through a dedicated task force within PICMG. For industrial users, the key advantages of an open BoxPC standard are cost-optimized system design and easy component interchangeability, enabling tailored solutions for specific applications. Manufacturers also benefit by focusing on their core technologies without the need to develop every embedded component themselves. Advancing standardization with new modules Together with its partners, Westermo is driving standardization within the PICMG, with the goal to enable cross-vendor compatibility and interoperability. The Hyrax-1000 is the first commercial realisation of the ModBlox7 vison – a modular, scalable and individually configurable system with integrated GNSS support, ideal for customized embedded edge computing in many challenging areas, such as the railway sector. Typical use cases include telematics, diagnostic systems, passenger infotainment, IoT gateways, edge computing, and data-based cloud services. The fanless, maintenance-free design of the Hyrax-1000 allows flexible mounting, including DIN rail, wall or 19" rack or sub-rack, for seamless integration into vehicles or control cabinets, even in space-constrained environments. Thanks to its modular concept, a wide range of extension modules can be implemented to meet customer-specific requirements and functions. The extension modules are pre-assembled units, enabling flexible configurations and short delivery times for custom systems. Available wireless extension modules include options such as Wi-Fi 3x3 MIMO (802.11ac) and LTE, with support for up to four SIM cards per module for maximum network coverage and operational flexibility. The Wi-Fi interfaces support client operation, e.g. for train-to-ground communication, as well as access point mode for connecting onboard clients. Designed for Growth In the future, additional modules will be introduced, expanding the system further as an open modular platform. This will allow additional configuration of computing solutions for specific applications and make it easier to adapt systems to evolving needs. To expand the storage capabilities of the Hyrax-1000, dedicated mounting space for an internal M.2 solid-state drive (SSD) is provided. Connected via the CPU’s dedicated SATA 3.0 port, the SSD enables local data storage in a wide range of applications, such as multimedia streaming, operational logging, and sensor data analytics. With its modular design, the Hyrax-1000 provides a future-proof platform, allowing customers to scale, customize, and adapt their systems as requirements change – delivering long-term value with minimal complexity or cost.

About Westermo Westermo provides a full range of industrial data communication solutions for demanding applications in the transport, energy and water sectors. For more than 45 years, Westermo has been at the cutting edge of technological development, often pushing the boundaries of what is technically possible. Westermo has a local presence in more than 40 countries to provide the best possible support. Further information at www.westermo.com.