A consortium led by Siemens Mobility is developing the RemODtrAIn (Remote Operated Train with AI-based Obstacle Detection) project to enable the remote operation of trains.
Funded with €17 million by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy through the DNS programme for Sustainable Mobility – Digital, Sustainable, Systemic – the initiative advances the automation of rail operations in depots and maintenance facilities. Its goal is to address the shortage of drivers and improve overall efficiency.
The system relies on 5G train connectivity and artificial intelligence technology to detect trackside obstacles, complemented by robust cybersecurity measures to prevent malicious interference.
The consortium brings together 12 organisations, including Deutsche Bahn, Rheinmetall through its MIRA subsidiary, Siemens AG, the Smart Rail Connectivity Campus, the German Aerospace Center (DLR), and the technical universities of Berlin, Chemnitz and Munich. It builds on earlier projects such as AutomatedTrain and safe.trAIn.
The objective is to equip an ICE 4 with the technology required for remote operation from the Cologne-Nippes depot, allowing the simulation of manoeuvres such as train arrival, departure, and stabling. Obstacle detection trials will be validated on Berlin’s S-Bahn network during daily operations, while communication systems will be tested at the Annaberg-Buchholz campus using a Desiro Classic unit from the Erzgebirgsbahn.
MIRA contributes a compact teleoperation kit that is retrofit-compatible for existing fleets and allows a single operator to control multiple trains simultaneously.
Jasmin Bigdon, Deutsche Bahn’s Chief Technology Officer, emphasised the pragmatic approach to closing technological gaps and refining processes. Vehicle validation is scheduled for 2028, paving the way for smart, safe, and scalable rail operations.