• Rheinmetall to Develop Remote Control Technology for German Rail Project
DĂśSSELDORF, Germany – Rheinmetall announced it is participating in a new research project to develop secure remote control and AI-based obstacle detection for Germany’s rail sector.
The project, named “RemODtrAIn,” will be led by a consortium including Siemens Mobility and will test the technology on an ICE 4 high-speed train.
What is new?
Rheinmetall, through its subsidiary MIRA, is contributing to the research project “RemODtrAIn” (Remote operated train with AI based Obstacle Detection). The project brings together industry, operators, and science to develop a secure remote control solution and modular, AI-supported obstacle detection for highly automated train operation. A network led by Siemens Mobility will oversee the initiative.
Project Details
The primary objective is to equip an ICE 4 train with a remote control system, allowing it to be operated from a DB (German Railway) maintenance depot control station near Cologne. This will be facilitated by a 5G communication solution designed for secure and highly available operation under various conditions. In addition, the project will test AI-based obstacle detection in real operating environments, such as the Berlin S-Bahn network.
Technological Contribution
MIRA is developing a secure and robust remote control solution that can be integrated into new vehicles or retrofitted into existing fleets. The solution includes a compact control unit for the remote operator, a teleoperation kit in the vehicle, and a cloud-based fleet management system. Core technical elements feature a vision system with safety design (ASIL-D), a high-availability communication system, certified vehicle interfaces developed with subcontractor Cattron, and a compact Remote Train Operation (RTO) system compliant with railway standards.
Stated Goals and Impact
The project focuses on delivery, dispatch, and stabling operations, which often require manual movement by train drivers. By standardizing the operator panel and interfaces, the technology aims to create a universal operating logic for different train types, which could help address driver shortages. Remotely controlling trains from a central station allows one operator to manage multiple vehicles or switch between them, improving resource utilization and system resilience. “With RemODtrAIn and MIRA’s teleoperation solution, we are passing our system expertise from the road mobility to rail transport,” said Win Neidlinger, Managing Director of MIRA GmbH. The project is funded by the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy with a total of around €17 million.
About this company
Rheinmetall AG is an international technology group focused on security and industry. The company develops and manufactures solutions for defence, mobility, and industrial applications. It also uses innovative technologies to drive the digitalization and automation of key infrastructure systems.
MIRA, a wholly owned subsidiary of Rheinmetall AG, specializes in teleoperation solutions for complex mobility systems. The company has several years of experience remotely controlling vehicles on public roads using a proprietary technology platform. For the RemODtrAIn project, MIRA is developing a modular remote control platform for new and existing train vehicles to make rail transport more efficient and resilient.
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