Deutsche Bahn (DB), in partnership with Siemens Mobility, has developed the world’s first fully automated driverless train in Germany.
This train made its debut under the Digital S-Bahn Hamburg project, which is part of DB’s Digital Rail Germany project.
It made its premiere run at the launch of the Intelligent Transport Systems World Congress (ITS) in Hamburg.
Controlled by digital technology, the S-Bahn train has the ability to carry out operations, such as shunting, in the absence of on-board personnel.
However, a driver will be present to manage the journey with commuters on board.
During the congress, four digital S-Bahn trains will run automatically on the 23km segment of the S-Bahn Line 21 between the Bergedorf/Aumühle and Berliner Tor stations.
The train’s digital operations are in line with the future European Automatic Train Operation (ATO) standard and supported by the European Train Control System (ETCS).
Siemens CEO Dr Roland Busch said: “We are making rail transport more intelligent. Trains drive the perfect timetable automatically, accurate to the second and energy-optimised. This way, we are supporting our partner Deutsche Bahn in its goal of making train travel more attractive and protecting the climate.