San Francisco is paying millions to end reliance on this iconic, but ancient technology — floppy disks still powering the Muni Metro light rail system on DOS software

Smartphones tin execute a cardinal tasks, self-driving cars are conscionable astir nan corner, and AI is everywhere… yet floppy disks - those relics of nan 1980s - are still clinging to relevance successful immoderate places.

The Japanese authorities yet waved goodbye to floppy disks successful administrative procedures earlier successful 2024, and nan German navy besides decided it was clip to trim ties pinch nan ancient retention technology.

Now, successful an arsenic overdue move, San Francisco proscription officials are bidding farewell to nan floppy disk-driven power strategy of nan Muni Metro, a move that isn't going to beryllium cheap.

Five generations ahead

The city's Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) committee has approved a $212 cardinal statement pinch Hitachi Rail to upgrade nan Muni Metro's train power system.

The existing system, installed successful 1998 successful nan Market Street subway, still runs connected package stored connected five-and-a-quarter inch floppy disks, which must beryllium loaded each morning. Additionally, it uses an antiquated ligament loop connection strategy that is prone to disruptions.

According to Muni officials, nan existent strategy was expected to past 20 to 25 years and moves information slower than a dial-up modem. Some parts of nan power strategy are nary longer moreover made, and it cannot beryllium extended extracurricular nan subway, on nan on-street Metro corridors.

The San Francisco Chronicle reports nan upgrade, for which Hitachi will supply 20 years of support, is portion of a broader $700 cardinal task to modernize nan Muni Metro’s power system. By precocious 2027 and into 2028, nan caller communications-based system, which uses Wi-Fi and compartment signals to way train locations pinch precision, will beryllium successful place.

While nan existent power strategy is constricted to nan Market Street subway and Central Subway, nan upgraded strategy will screen nan full network, including aboveground lines. Muni Director of Transit Julie Kirschbaum described nan caller Hitachi strategy arsenic "five generations ahead" of nan existing 1 and touted it arsenic nan champion train power strategy disposable connected nan market.

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