Rheinmetall and Siemens advance secure remote train operation using AI and 5G technology

Rheinmetall is participating in the new research project RemODtrAIn, or Remote operated train with AI based Obstacle Detection, through its subsidiary MIRA. Led by Siemens Mobility, the consortium brings together industry, operators and research institutions to develop secure remote train control and modular, AI-supported obstacle detection for highly automated rail operations.

The core aim of the project is to equip an ICE 4 train with a remote control system that allows it to be operated from a control station at the Deutsche Bahn maintenance depot near Cologne. The system is based on a 5G communication solution designed to ensure secure and highly available operation across a wide range of operating conditions. In parallel, AI-based obstacle detection is being tested in real environments, including the Berlin S-Bahn network.

Within the project, MIRA is developing a secure and robust remote train operation solution that can be integrated into new rolling stock or retrofitted to large existing fleets in a cost-effective manner. The solution is designed to support delivery, dispatch and stabling activities, tasks that currently require on-board drivers and create operational bottlenecks.

The MIRA system consists of a compact operator control unit, a teleoperation kit installed in the vehicle, and a cloud-based fleet management system. Together, these components support the creation of a dedicated remote train operation control centre. By standardising operator panels and interfaces, MIRA aims to establish a consistent operating logic across different train types, enabling flexible deployment and supporting automation.

Key technical elements include a safety-designed vision system meeting ASIL-D requirements, a high-availability communications architecture, and certified vehicle interfaces developed in cooperation with Cattron. The compact remote train operation system is designed to comply fully with relevant railway standards and operational requirements.

RemODtrAIn also defines specifications that will enable future deployment in live railway operations, including factory logistics, depot movements and additional rail transport applications. Remote operation allows a single operator to control multiple vehicles or switch between vehicle types as needed, improving resource utilisation and operational resilience.

“With RemODtrAIn and MIRA’s teleoperation solution, we are passing our system expertise from the road mobility to rail transport,” says Win Neidlinger, Managing Director of MIRA GmbH. “Remote-controlled trains in workshops and depots increase efficiency, reduce staff workload and lay the foundation for further automation steps in the railway sector – safely, economically and scalable.”

The project is funded by the European Union and Germany’s Digital, Sustainable, System-compatible mobility funding programme run by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. With total funding of around €17 million, RemODtrAIn represents a significant contribution to railway digitalisation and sustainable transport modernisation in Germany and Europe.